As Apple’s iPhone celebrates its 20th anniversary, reports regarding the upcoming device are becoming increasingly compelling. Recent rumors surrounding the 2027 model suggest a design that diverges significantly from anything the company has previously produced.
Initial insights from Digital Chat Station indicated that Apple is collaborating with Samsung on a slightly curved OLED screen that extends around all four sides. This approach is reportedly much more understated compared to the aggressive waterfall edges seen on many Android devices.
However, tipster Ice Universe has introduced a more intriguing element to this speculation.
Could this represent a completely new display technology?
According to Ice Universe, Apple might brand this innovation as the “Liquid Glass Display,” a concept that appears to be entirely unique. It does not fit the standard definition of a curved screen.
The physical curvature of the panel may be barely noticeable. Instead, the visual effect is achieved through “a complex mix of optical refraction, light-guiding components, and meticulously designed illusions.”
This technique creates an illusion where the bezel seems to vanish, yet the screen appears natural when viewed from an angle. This concept echoes the Liquid Glass effect Apple demonstrated during the iOS 26 update reveal, suggesting a desire to translate that software aesthetic into hardware form.
AppleBeyond the Privacy Display on the Samsung S26 Ultra, the smartphone industry has seen a lack of major display breakthroughs recently. It will be fascinating to see how Apple’s implementation compares.
What other design shifts are possible?
Previous rumors also hinted that the 20th-anniversary iPhone might eliminate the polarizer layer in favor of Samsung’s Color Filter on Encapsulation technology. This change would result in a thinner, brighter, and more energy-efficient screen.
Additionally, there are unconfirmed reports of an under-display front camera and Face ID sensor.
With the 2027 launch still more than a year away, these details should be viewed with caution. Nevertheless, if even a portion of these leaks hold true, the 20th anniversary iPhone could undergo the most significant design overhaul since the iPhone X.