Apple is preparing a major redesign for its 2027 iPhone Pro models, with the new devices expected to sport what industry sources are calling a “near-borderless” display that curves around all four edges. This aesthetic overhaul is part of the company’s plan to celebrate the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Pro line with something visually striking.
Display revamp: Four-sided curve and reduced bezels
The next generation of iPhone Pro phones is rumored to feature a four-sided bending display, one that wraps around each edge of the device. This architecture aims to minimize bezel visibility, creating a more immersive screen experience. The look may resemble recent trends in phones that push toward edge-to-edge displays, but the complete four-edge curvature takes the design further toward a full-screen appearance.
Despite the emphasis on visual impact, not all display enhancements that had been under consideration will make the cut. Two technologies – Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE), which could allow thinner panels, and Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide Plus (LTPO+), known for boosting power efficiency – are reportedly being deferred. Sources suggest Apple is holding off on both due to rising memory costs and the need to develop better iterations of these materials before installation.
Context: anniversary edition and tech trade-offs
Apple’s projected timeline places this redesign squarely in its 20th anniversary of the iPhone Pro era. Rumors about something special were already circulating, including suggestions that these models would break from some current norms. The all-edge curved screen seems to be a central distinguishing feature, reaffirming that Apple remains committed to giving its Pro flagship new visual identity even amid skepticism from analysts who questioned the feasibility.
The postponement of COE and LTPO+ technologies reflects the trade-offs that often accompany ambitious design goals. Incorporating newer display layers or more efficient backplanes can raise material and manufacturing costs significantly. With memory prices reportedly higher than anticipated, Apple seems to be choosing to push core design changes ahead this cycle while deferring secondary upgrades that aren’t yet ready.
All told, the “near-borderless” design appears to be intact and moving forward. While Apple may miss out on some efficiency or thinness gains this time, the visual transformation is expected to be the marquee attraction for the next iPhone Pro launch.
Analysis: If these reports materialize, the 2027 Pro models will mark one of Apple’s boldest redesigns in recent memory. Adopting a display that wraps around all four edges puts Apple in line with other manufacturers exploring aggressive, immersive form factors. The deferral of COE and LTPO+ technologies suggests Apple is prioritizing aesthetics first, efficiency next—likely a signal that design impact carries more weight in this cycle than incremental performance gains. What to watch: how well the edge-curved display handles durability, visibility under lighting, and whether future models revisit LTPO+ and COE once cost and materiel challenges ease.
