Apple is reportedly advancing its smartphone display technology with plans to introduce an enhanced 4-side bending OLED display on the 2028 iPhone. According to industry sources, the company is in talks with South Korean display manufacturers to develop new transparent electrode technology that will improve screen clarity and reduce distortion along all four curved edges of the panel.
Apple’s push for improved curved-edge OLED displays
The 4-side bending OLED displays design involves curving the screen on all four edges, creating a more immersive and seamless visual experience. This design is reportedly already in development for Apple’s upcoming 20th anniversary iPhone next year, with the 2028 model expected to elevate the technology further.
The key innovation centers on a new cathode material—Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO). In top-emission OLED displays, light passes through the cathode layer, and increasing its transparency helps reduce distortion at curved edges. Apple is believed to be encouraging its suppliers to adopt IZO cathodes to enhance display quality. Related coverage: Canon’s New Power Zoom Debuts with EOS R6 V Full-Frame Camera.
South Korean suppliers gearing up for new OLED tech
Apple’s main OLED suppliers, Samsung Display and LG Display, are preparing for this transition. LG Display is reportedly leading the charge with a recent investment of approximately $770 million (1.106 trillion won) dedicated to developing and eventually mass-producing the advanced OLED panels.
This investment focuses on acquiring low-damage Transparent Conductive Oxide (TCO) sputtering equipment necessary for depositing the new electrode layers. LG plans to deploy this equipment initially for research and development before scaling production.
Meanwhile, Samsung Display is still considering whether to build new factory lines. The company’s existing OLED production lines face space and design constraints that complicate installing the required TCO sputtering tools. As a result, a dedicated production line for the new technology seems more probable.
Timeline and industry impact
Apple’s pressure on its suppliers to accelerate development could lead Korean manufacturers to invest heavily in new production facilities in the near term. The goal is to have these advanced 4-side bending OLED displays ready for the 2028 iPhone rollout.
If successful, the switch to transparent IZO cathodes and fully curved edges may mark a significant leap in smartphone display design, offering users sharper visuals with minimal edge distortion.
While details remain subject to confirmation, these developments indicate Apple’s ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of OLED technology in its flagship devices.
(Via)
