iPhone 20th Anniversary: What We Know About Apple's Next Pro Redesign

Apple's next major iPhone redesign could be one of the company's most ambitious yet. While the iPhone 18 Pro has only just arrived and the iPhone Duo is still on the way, reports are already pointing toward a special design for Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone Pro models expected next year.

According to a new report from ETNews, Apple is still working toward a "near-borderless" design built around a display that curves around all four sides of the device. The report also suggests that two display technologies previously rumored for the anniversary models may no longer be part of the plan. For now, the four-sided curved display appears to be the more significant part of Apple's rumored redesign.

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone Could Have a Near-Borderless Display

Apple has reportedly been exploring a distinctive design for its 20th anniversary iPhone Pro models, with the display expected to be the centerpiece. According to ETNews, Apple is still expected to pursue a four-sided bending display that curves around all four edges of the smartphone.

The goal would be a near-borderless appearance, giving the iPhone an even more screen-focused design than current models. Rather than simply reducing the bezels around the display, the concept would extend the screen around the edges of the device itself.

This design has been the subject of speculation for some time, and the latest report suggests Apple is continuing to move in that direction. That is notable because there has also been skepticism about whether the ambitious redesign would actually make it into next year's iPhone Pro models.

Two Advanced Display Technologies May Be Delayed

The near-borderless display is not the only part of Apple's reported display plans. ETNews says Apple had also been considering two advanced technologies known as Color Filter on Encapsulation, or COE, and Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide Plus, commonly referred to as LTPO+.

According to the report, Apple is now expected to postpone both technologies for the 20th anniversary iPhone. COE could have helped Apple create a thinner display panel, while LTPO+ was being considered for potential improvements in power efficiency.

The decision does not necessarily mean these technologies are gone from Apple's future plans. Instead, the report suggests they could be delayed while Apple evaluates other approaches.

Why Apple May Be Changing Its Display Plans

Industry sources cited by ETNews reportedly point to two factors behind the decision. The first is rising memory costs, which could make it more difficult for Apple to absorb additional expenses associated with advanced display components. The second is Apple's reported interest in finding solutions that offer greater advantages than the current versions of COE and LTPO+.

From a user perspective, that may not be particularly disappointing. A thinner display panel and improved efficiency could certainly be useful, but they are less immediately visible than a completely new screen design.

The rumored four-sided curved display, by comparison, could dramatically change how the iPhone looks and feels. If Apple follows through, the anniversary model could have a much more distinctive appearance than a typical annual iPhone refresh.

What the Redesign Could Mean for iPhone Users

Apple's 20th anniversary is a significant milestone, so expectations around next year's Pro models are naturally high. The latest report does not provide a complete picture of the hardware, and many details remain unknown. Still, the display appears to be shaping up as the defining element of the redesign.

A near-borderless screen could make the iPhone feel more immersive while giving Apple a way to visually distinguish the anniversary models from previous generations. It also fits with the company's long-running effort to reduce bezels and make the display occupy more of the front of the device.

However, it is worth keeping expectations in check. These details come from reports and industry sources rather than an official Apple announcement, and plans can change considerably before a product reaches the market.

Preparing for a New iPhone Goes Beyond the Hardware

A major iPhone redesign is exciting, but upgrading to a new device also brings a less glamorous task: moving all the information from your current phone. Photos, videos, contacts, documents, and app-related data can quickly add up, especially if you have been using your existing iPhone for several years.

Smart Transfer can make that transition easier by giving users tools for moving and sharing personal files between compatible devices. For people who want anywhere file transfer, having a dedicated way to move selected content can be useful when preparing a new phone. Its sharing options can also help with specific situations, such as moving files between devices over a local connection through wifi content transfer.

If you're switching phones and need to preserve important conversations or other information, WhatsApp backup transfer is another consideration. The important thing is to think about the transition as more than simply activating the new device. A new iPhone is only truly ready when the files and information you rely on are available where you need them.

Will Apple's Anniversary iPhone Be Completely Bezel-Free?

The current reports describe the design as "near-borderless" rather than promising a completely bezel-free iPhone. That distinction matters. A four-sided curved display could significantly reduce the visual presence of bezels, but it does not necessarily mean the entire front of the device will consist of uninterrupted display.

There are also still unanswered questions about how Apple would handle components such as cameras, sensors, and other hardware within this design. The supplied reports do not provide enough detail to say exactly how those elements would be incorporated.

For now, the safest takeaway is that Apple is reportedly continuing to explore a display that curves around all four sides, with the goal of creating a near-borderless appearance.

When Could the New iPhone Arrive?

The rumored redesign is associated with Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone Pro models expected next year. However, Apple has not officially announced the device or confirmed its design.

That means details such as the final name, specifications, pricing, launch date, and exact display technology remain unconfirmed. As development continues, additional reports may provide a clearer picture of what Apple has planned.

Final Thoughts

The most interesting part of the latest report is not necessarily the display technologies Apple may postpone. It is the suggestion that the company's more ambitious four-sided curved display concept remains in development.

If that design reaches the final product, Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone Pro models could look substantially different from today's iPhones. The decision to delay COE and LTPO+ may reduce some of the expected display improvements, but the rumored near-borderless design could still give the anniversary models a distinctive identity.

For now, the redesigned display remains a reported feature rather than an Apple-confirmed one. With the iPhone 18 Pro only recently arriving, there is still plenty of time for Apple's plans to evolve before its next major anniversary models are officially revealed.