Apple is gearing up for a milestone in its storied history with the rumored launch of the iPhone 20, a device that promises to mark the company’s 20-year journey since the debut of its first iPhone back in 2007. According to reports from Dealsite and other outlets, the tech giant is set to skip the 'iPhone 19' nomenclature entirely, choosing instead to make a splash with a model that not only celebrates two decades of innovation but also redefines what a smartphone can look and feel like.
The iPhone 20, expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2027, is generating buzz for its ambitious design. Apple is reportedly planning a truly ‘all screen’ smartphone, with a bezel-less display that wraps seamlessly around all four edges—no visible cutouts, not even for the front-facing camera or Face ID sensors. This radical departure from previous designs signals Apple’s intent to push the boundaries of what’s technologically possible, and it’s already setting the stage for a new era in smartphone aesthetics and engineering.
According to a senior researcher at Omdia cited by Dealsite, "Apple will skip the 'iPhone 19' name for this model." The decision underscores the significance Apple is placing on this anniversary device. But a name change is just the tip of the iceberg. The real story lies in the engineering marvels required to bring the iPhone 20 to life.
Central to the new design is what’s being called a ‘four-sided bending design.’ Unlike the edge displays popularized by Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones—where only the left and right edges were curved for notification panels—the iPhone 20’s display will curve around all four sides. This isn’t just for show; it requires bending the panel circuits right into the bezel area, a process that’s far more complex than anything previously seen in the industry.
To achieve this unprecedented look, Apple has enlisted the help of its two major display suppliers: LG Display and Samsung Display. Both companies are reportedly investing hundreds of millions of dollars to retool their manufacturing facilities for the new requirements. LG Display, for instance, is said to be pouring nearly $300 million (about 400 billion won) into its display facility, a move that will see the company set up as many as 10 dedicated production lines for Apple’s new flagship phone.
As reported by Dealsite, "LG Display's current 4-sided bending display is known to be a different concept from the edge display that Samsung has previously used on its Galaxy smartphones." This difference is crucial. While Samsung’s edge displays added subtle curvature to two sides, Apple’s vision is for a monolithic full-screen design that covers every edge, creating a truly immersive visual experience.
But the challenges don’t end there. The Thin-Film Encapsulation (TFE) layer, which acts as a barrier to prevent moisture and oxygen from degrading the OLED panel, must be made much thinner to accommodate the new design. This is a delicate balancing act; too thick, and the sleek curves are impossible, too thin, and the display’s longevity could be compromised. According to industry insiders cited by Dealsite, "the Thin Film Encapsulation (TFE), which blocks moisture and oxygen from entering the OLED panel, must also be much thinner."
Another significant hurdle is the integration of essential components—like the front-facing camera, the TrueDepth sensor for Face ID, and other necessary hardware—behind the display itself. Apple has reportedly been testing under-display Face ID with its iPhone 18 family and the upcoming iPhone Fold, meaning the iPhone 20 could be the first to fully realize this technology. The goal is to eliminate all visible cutouts, creating a seamless, uninterrupted screen that’s as functional as it is beautiful.
Both LG and Samsung were approached by Apple as early as 2023 to begin work on these next-generation displays. While LG has been more vocal about its preparations, Samsung—the longtime supplier of the majority of Apple’s OLED panels—has been relatively quiet on the subject. Some speculate that Samsung is currently focusing its resources on supplying foldable OLED panels for Apple’s anticipated foldable iPhone, which is expected to launch in 2026 with an initial shipping volume of 3 to 5 million units.
Dealsite further reports that "producing 4-sided bending displays requires significant modifications to existing lines. For this reason, the investment scale is bound to be large, and I also hear talk that LG Display has been allocated about 10 lines from Apple." The scale of these changes underscores how seriously Apple and its partners are taking the challenge. This isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade—it’s a fundamental rethinking of how smartphones are built from the ground up.
Industry analysts note that LG’s 4-sided bending display is a different beast entirely from anything Samsung has done before. While Samsung’s edge displays, like those on the Galaxy Note Edge from 2014, were innovative in their own right, Apple’s approach aims for a ‘monolithic’ look, where the display glass curves smoothly over all sides, erasing the boundary between screen and frame. In the words of one industry official quoted in Dealsite, "Since it is a new technology different from the past, producing 4-sided bending displays requires significant modifications to existing lines."
As for the display technology itself, the transition to a bezel-less, all-screen device means embedding not just cameras and sensors but also ensuring the display’s durability and resistance to the elements. The TFE layer’s thickness, the quality of the OLED panel, and the reliability of under-display components all have to be finely balanced. It’s a feat that requires not just money, but also a willingness to experiment and take risks—a hallmark of Apple’s approach to hardware innovation.
The stakes are high for both LG and Samsung. LG’s willingness to invest nearly $300 million and dedicate up to 10 production lines shows its commitment to winning a bigger slice of Apple’s supply chain. For Samsung, the challenge will be to match or exceed LG’s capabilities while also handling the demands of producing foldable displays for Apple’s other upcoming models.
For consumers and industry watchers alike, the iPhone 20 represents more than just another upgrade. It’s a statement about where the smartphone industry is headed and a testament to Apple’s ongoing quest to blur the lines between technology and art. If the rumors hold true, 2027 could be the year that smartphones take another giant leap forward—one where the device in your hand is all screen, all the time, with no distractions or interruptions.
While the final product won’t be unveiled for another couple of years, the excitement is already palpable. Apple’s 20th anniversary iPhone is shaping up to be not just a celebration of the past, but a bold vision for the future of mobile technology.
