Emir BardakçıApple is rumored to be working on a massive design overhaul for its 2027 flagship device, called iPhone 20, in celebration of two decades with the iconic iPhone brand. As indicated in tech circles, this upcoming device may come with a full screen display without cutouts, thus raising a whole new bar in smartphone design. Such an event clearly relates to the historical legacy of innovation in bezel-less smartphone designs, which originated with the very first Xiaomi MIX series from Xiaomi. As highlighted in a previous article, this innovation by Xiaomi ended up setting a new standard in this tech space, which Apple would later follow.
iPhone 20 and the Technology Behind a True Full-Screen Design
Apple’s upcoming anniversary model will purportedly introduce a camera technology far more advanced than the under-display camera solutions available in markets today. The device will have a quad-curved OLED display, which means all four edges of the screen will be curved. Normally, phone circuitry in a curved display would have to curve inward from the sides, unlike conventional smartphones.
To make this feasible, Apple is rumored to be working on an advancement in thin-film encapsulation (TFE) technology. Such an enhancement will allow for better protection of OLED screens from water and will make it feasible to have components such as the front-facing camera and the True Depth system go underneath the screen. If so, this will allow for an uninterrupted screen experience.
Display Supply Chain Signals and LG Display’s Investment
Industry insiders believe that LG Display is already working towards mass production of displays for the iPhone 20. They have reportedly partnered with other companies for this purpose and have invested working capital of $290 million in research and development work for this project, which is in South Korean won.
As the quad-curved screen is quite different from current OLED production technology, LG Display will need to make a dramatic change in their production lines. Additionally, market speculations suggest Apple has assigned various production line quotas to LG Display, but at the same time, LG and Samsung have been asked to research true full-screen technology no later than 2023.
Xiaomi MIX: From Industry Pioneer to Strategic Crossroads
Long before under-display cameras were a goal in the industry, Xiaomi launched MIX in 2016, which allowed nearly bezel less smartphones to go into mass production. Such an eventuated in Apple being a technology forerunner and consequently influenced the whole industry in embracing notches and reduced bezels in devices.
A successful launch of a “true full screen” iPhone in 2027 will make this history all the more relevant. MIX series, launched by Xiaomi, have always stood for experimental designs of the future. If a MIX series smartphone is avoided in 2026, it will allow Apple to correct this perception of leadership in display technology innovation in public eyes.
Strategically, a new MIX model series will be a chance to re-emphasize Xiaomi’s role in innovation rather than being a follower. With an increasingly platform-driven market, continuity in flagship concepts can become important in addition to technological progress.
