Apple is setting the stage for its first truly all-screen iPhone, and it plans to get there in two key phases.
According to new reports, the transition will unfold over the next two years, with major changes expected in 2026 and 2027. The goal is to create an iPhone that has no visible notches, punch holes, or bezels, just a single uninterrupted pane of glass.
The first phase of this transformation is expected with the iPhone 18 Pro models in 2026. These devices will reportedly feature under-display Face ID for the first time, allowing Apple to shrink or nearly eliminate the Dynamic Island.
The only visible interruption on the screen will be a small pinhole cutout for the front-facing camera. This subtle design shift will allow for slimmer bezels and a more immersive display, moving the iPhone one step closer to its all-screen future.
From 2027, it will enter the second phase, which will mark the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone. To commemorate the milestone, Apple is rumoured to release a premium flagship model, possibly called the iPhone 20, that will feature a fully edge-to-edge design.
Both the Face ID sensors and front-facing camera are expected to be completely hidden under the display. The device may also use curved-edge glass and ultra-thin bezels, creating a seamless look with no visible hardware on the front.
Behind the scenes, Apple is working with its display suppliers to overcome the technical hurdles of placing sensors and cameras beneath the screen. This includes developing new optics, transparent OLED materials, and more efficient display drivers.
Challenges like maintaining camera quality and ensuring reliable Face ID performance are still being addressed, which is why Apple is taking a gradual approach.
Apple may also be using its rumored foldable iPhone prototype to test under-display camera systems. This device, which could debut around the same time, might not include Face ID at all, instead relying on side-mounted Touch ID.
This experimentation suggests Apple is using multiple paths to refine its all-screen ambitions.
If the company’s timeline holds, the 2027 iPhone could be the culmination of a decade-long design evolution. It would mark the moment when Apple finally delivers the iPhone as it was first imagined, a pure slab of interactive glass, free of interruptions.
