Apple is reportedly testing a prototype quad-curved OLED screen for the iPhone 19 Pro as part of its push for an all-screen iPhone. If the leaks prove to be accurate, it could mark Apple’s biggest redesign since the iPhone X.
The 2027 flagship is rumored to have Face ID under the display and is curved on all four sides. This could give buyers a compelling reason to skip the iPhone 18 Pro.
The last frontier of the iPhone hides the selfie camera
Apple has spent nearly two decades working on a sort of holy grail of design — an iPhone that looks and feels like a single slab of glass. Now, according to a new wave of leaks, it could be within reach thanks to a design that hides nearly every sensor under the edge-to-edge screen.
Rumor has it that the quad-curved OLED display for the iPhone 19 Pro would be more than just a cosmetic change. It would give Apple a way to reassert its role as the cutting-edge smartphone maker, even as rivals abandon their own futuristic, curved designs.
The prototype iPhone display, said to be curved around all four sides, hides most of the Face ID components underneath. Still, hiding the selfie camera turns out to be a challenge.
WeiboDigital Chat Station, based on a leaker well-versed in Apple rumors, reported on Thursday that the iPhone Pro 2027 curved screen is already in the evaluation stage. But there is a small hole on the front.
This claim is in line with an earlier report from tipster Ice Universe, who said that Apple could market its curved OLED screen as a “liquid glass display”.
Some Android manufacturers like Redmagic have already made such designs. However, hiding the camera sensor under the display resulted in poor image quality. This trade-off could explain why Apple might leave a small hole-punch cutout on the iPhone 19 Pro’s screen.
Apple may rethink the curved screen formula
Apple’s approach appears to be very different from the aggressively curved “waterfall” displays once used on Samsung Galaxy phones. Not only did these screens distort images, but they also proved fragile and made it difficult to use the case with phones.
Instead, Apple can work to create the illusion of a bezel-less design without the hassles of technology. If Apple gets it right, the result would be a device that feels like clear glass.
Interestingly, Apple seems to be pushing towards curved displays at a time when Android manufacturers are moving in the opposite direction. For years, Android users have complained about the durability and usability of such screens. But Apple may take over as soon as the competition dies down.
Separately, it is also reported that Apple is developing a different 20th anniversary iPhone, which is likely to be launched in 2028. This device will have a completely seamless display without any cutouts. This would take things a step beyond what the iPhone 19 Pro will reportedly offer.
Apple may have to wait for Samsung to do this
If Apple succeeds in constructing an uninterrupted display for the anniversary model, Samsung’s production capacity could become the biggest obstacle.
The display maker may need entirely new production lines to produce enough panels for the anniversary iPhone.
Apple is also reportedly pushing a “fieldless” display design that removes the polarizing layer found in most modern OLED screens. Future iPhones could thus be brighter and thinner.
This coincides with a late 2025 report stating that Apple plans to introduce the technology to the 20th anniversary iPhone.
Should you skip the iPhone 18 Pro?
Apple watchers may be quietly wondering if they should skip the iPhone 18 Pro. Expected this fall, it will reportedly feature a much smaller Dynamic Island, with some Face ID components hidden under the display. However, it could miss out on a full four curved redesign.
Anurag Chawake is a technology-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era and eventually led him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag contributed earlier Indian Expresscovering Apple, Android, games and the wider technology landscape.
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