Apple’s former design chief Jony Ive believed that the pinnacle of iPhone design was a completely frameless, unibody glass look. According to a new supply chain report, Apple had planned to achieve this goal with the iPhone 18, but this goal seems difficult to achieve for now.
The report states that the front of the device is aimed to be completely covered with the screen. The screen is planned to flow seamlessly into the sides of the phone.
Although Jony Ive has left Apple, it is believed that the company continues his vision. Work is continuing to develop a device that shows only the screen and no frame on the front.
Apple took the first big step towards this goal with the iPhone X in 2017. However, progress since then has been gradual. Although the frames have become thinner, they have not completely disappeared.
To achieve this, a screen design that curves towards the edges of the device is needed. Apple Watch creates this look to some extent by hiding the frames under curved glass. However, Apple wants the iPhone to be active even on the curved edges of the screen.
Samsung offered a similar design with the Galaxy Edge series, but these devices featured prominently the top and bottom bezels. Apple, on the other hand, aims for a screen that covers all edges.
According to TheElec report, Apple was hoping to launch a completely frameless phone in 2026, at least one iPhone 18 model. However, it is stated that display suppliers have difficulty meeting these demands.
It is known that Samsung Display and LG Display developed a frameless OLED screen in line with Apple’s request. However, according to an industry official, the launch of this type of display in 2026 remains uncertain due to insufficient technological advances.
The official said: “If Apple wants to launch a frameless OLED iPhone in 2026, we should have completed technical negotiations with domestic panel companies. But we are still discussing these issues.”
While Apple’s design goal is theoretically possible today, some practical issues must be overcome before this design can be brought to market:
- The junction between the curved screen and the device body must be waterproof.
- The “magnifying glass effect” that occurs around curved screen edges should be prevented.
- The effective operation of the antenna must be ensured.
- A solution must be found for the sensitivity of the screen edges to impacts.
Apple is planning other innovations with the iPhone 18 series
iPhone models that come with this design in 2026 are expected to feature a perforated camera design, as the technology of recessing the front camera under the screen cannot meet Apple’s quality standards. However, in the long term, Apple’s goal is to develop this technology.
As we move towards Apple’s vision, the technical obstacles and collaboration processes encountered seem to determine when this goal will be realized.