Quad-Curved iPhone Displays
Apple Reportedly Tests Quad-Curved Displays and Larger Screens for the iPhone 20 Pro
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Key Points
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The leaked iPhone 20 Pro and Pro Max resolutions reportedly preserve the same aspect ratios as the current Pro models, with estimated pixel density remaining around 460 ppi—suggesting larger screens without a noticeable change in sharpness.
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Apple is reportedly working with Samsung on a custom anniversary display that would omit the polarizer layer. The curvature was still being fine-tuned, and the latest leak does not indicate how deep or aggressive the four-edge curves will be.
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The smaller front cutout may reflect a transitional design: Apple is reportedly pursuing under-display Face ID and camera technology, but could retain a punch-hole or reduced Dynamic Island if those systems are not ready in time.
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Apple may use a staggered rollout for the anniversary generation, launching the iPhone 20 Pro models before introducing the remaining variants; the company could also skip the iPhone 19 name entirely if the anniversary branding is adopted.
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The reported nearly 7-inch Pro Max display would make it one of Apple’s largest iPhone screens, with the combination of thinner bezels and curved edges potentially producing a substantially more immersive appearance while keeping the device footprint manageable.
Apple is testing a radical iPhone 20 Pro display with curves on all four edges, creating an almost bezel-free screen, according to India Today. The test devices feature a 6.41-inch display for the Pro and 6.96-inch for the Pro Max—slightly larger than today's models—but maintain the same sharpness at roughly 460 pixels per inch. The phones are expected to launch in 2027, potentially coinciding with the iPhone's 20th anniversary.
The custom display is being co-developed with Samsung and removes the traditional polarizer layer to make the panel thinner and brighter, 9to5Mac reports. Apple is also testing a smaller punch-hole cutout instead of the current Dynamic Island, though a completely seamless design remains uncertain. These are early prototypes and the final design could change before release.
Quad Curves Replace Flat Edges on All Sides
The iPhone 20 Pro models ditch flat screens for displays that curve downward on all four edges, T3 reports. This "borderless" design aims to make the phone look like "a single, uninterrupted slab of glass," eliminating traditional bezels. Removing the polarizer layer—a standard component in older displays—makes the panel significantly thinner and brighter while the glass curves.
The new Pro Max display would stretch nearly 7 inches, one of Apple's largest iPhone screens ever, NDTV Profit notes. Despite the larger size, the pixel density stays at 460 ppi, the same as today's Pro models. This means Apple is expanding the active screen area through thinner bezels rather than changing how sharp or detailed apps appear on your phone.
Smaller Hole Punches Replace the Dynamic Island
The front-facing camera and Face ID sensor will move to a tiny punch-hole cutout instead of the larger Dynamic Island, FreeYork reports. This smaller opening makes the display feel less cluttered, though Apple has not yet perfected under-display Face ID and camera technology required for a completely seamless screen. The punch-hole design represents a transitional step toward Apple's long-term vision of cameras hidden beneath the glass.
If under-display sensors prove unreliable by 2027, Apple could delay the transition and keep the punch-hole design in final hardware. T3 suggests this cautious approach lets Apple avoid launching with inferior facial recognition or selfie cameras just to achieve a seamless look.
Apple May Skip iPhone 19 for 20th-Anniversary Branding
Apple has a history of skipping model numbers for milestone devices. In 2017, the company jumped from iPhone 7 to iPhone X to mark the phone's 10th anniversary. 9to5Mac suggests Apple could do the same in 2027, entirely skipping "iPhone 19" and launching the "iPhone 20" to celebrate two decades of iPhones since 2007.
A staggered rollout is also possible, with the Pro models launching first in September 2027 and standard variants following later. Early test units are still being refined—Apple frequently tests multiple prototype designs up to a year before production begins. The final device could feature less aggressive curvature or other changes based on manufacturing challenges.
Samsung and LG Benefit From Premium Display Orders
Samsung Display will produce most of the custom quad-curved panels using its specialized Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE) technology, which removes the polarizer layer. This advanced manufacturing process commands premium pricing and gives Samsung a major revenue stream from Apple's flagship phones. The tight production tolerances required for equal-depth curves on all four edges also limit which suppliers can compete.
The quad-curved design initially stays exclusive to Pro models. Standard iPhone 20 variants will likely keep flatter screens to reduce costs and simplify manufacturing. This two-tier approach maximizes Apple's profit margins on its priciest phones while keeping entry-level devices affordable and easier to produce at scale.
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