Apple has dominated the smartphone market for years with its iPhones. Despite selling fewer units than Samsung, the company still makes more money as it sells more high-end models. However, despite this success, some people criticize Apple for not being innovative enough. Competitors like the Galaxy S series, for example, have been working on perfecting the full-screen frameless mode for the past few generations. On the other hand, the iPhone 12, iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 series were criticized for their screen aspect ratios. However, according to recent reports, Apple is working with Samsung Display and LG Display to develop a bezel-less OLED display for the iPhone.

iPhone bezels are getting smaller, but will they ever disappear?

As you know, Apple prefers to focus on the development of its own technologies, not the production. This means they rely on manufacturers like Foxconn and TSMC to truly create their products, such as iPhones and Macs. It’s a similar story with display technologies. Since the company does not produce its own screens, it cooperates with companies such as Samsung and LG. So if the tech giant wants to create a phone with a bezel-less OLED display, it will have to work with these rivals.

However, creating a bezel-less iPhone is not an easy task. To achieve this, Apple will need to move all the electronics currently in the frame to the bottom of the screen. This includes significant advances in two technologies called “thin film encapsulation” and a bottom panel camera. As a protective coating for the screen, TFE is made from several thin layers of special materials. This “coating” protects the OLED screen from damage from moisture and oxygen. Apple wants these protective layers to be thinner than they are now.

In this way, the company plans to reach full-screen mode not only by placing circuits, thanks to thin bezels, but also by placing sensors such as the front camera and Face ID under the screen. Although similar technology is already used in some Android models, the clarity of the image is uneven due to the insufficiently thin layers of the screen. Imagine looking through a window with a mosquito net; You can see outside, but the mesh affects the quality of the view. This can be a problem for a phone known for its camera quality. And it’s not just Apple; Other big players like Samsung, Huawei and Vivo also believe the technology needs to be developed further before it’s ready for their high-end models.

Also, there are additional issues that need to be addressed. Apple is reportedly concerned about potential interference from the antenna, which is a critical issue. Plastic is an excellent material for signal transmission, so we can find lines of plastic in the stainless steel frames used in the iPhone. However, these lines have been criticized in the past for negatively affecting the life of the phone. Although plastic frames are used on the screen for problem-free signal traffic, it may not be enough to solve the problem.

Moving antennas under the screen can block cellular and Wi-Fi signals, causing additional complications. As a result, the development of the long-awaited “frameless” iPhone may take a long time. Therefore, Apple’s plans to launch a smartphone with a bezel-less OLED display remain unclear. However, reports suggest that the company is actively working with Samsung Display and LG Display to tackle these technical issues. If successful, Apple’s bezel-less iPhone will undoubtedly be a major innovation in the smartphone market.