It is reported that Apple’s 2028 iPhone plans to use a four-sided curved screen

On May 13, according to Korean media ETnews, Apple has decided to introduce new transparent electrode technology for the next-generation four-sided curved screen of the iPhone released in 2028, and has begun negotiations with Korean display manufacturers.

The four-sided curved screen is realized by bending the edges of the OLED. Apple is preparing this technology for the 20th anniversary iPhone to be released next year to minimize screen bezels.

For top-emitting OLEDs commonly used in smartphones, light must pass through the cathode layer, and the increase in electrode transparency can minimize display distortion at the edges.

Currently, the cathode layer of the display screen uses magnesium silver alloy (Mg·Ag), but this may cause picture distortion in the four-sided curved parts, and the brightness will also decrease. To solve this problem, Apple plans to replace the display cathode layer with indium zinc oxide (IZO) in 2028 products to achieve transparent electrodes.

Image source: Paixin.com genuine gallery

At the same time, Korean display companies that supply OLED panels to Apple are also fully launching related preparations.

An insider said: "Both Samsung Display and LG Display need to apply this technology, so they need to invest in related equipment for products released in 2028."

Among them, LG Display has taken the lead. It is reported that LG Display’s new OLED infrastructure investment of 1.106 trillion won announced last month is precisely for the research and development and mass production of this technology.

To make the cathode layer into IZO material, low-damage transparent conductive oxide (TCO) sputtering equipment needs to be used in the evaporation process equipment. It is said that LG Display will purchase relevant equipment through this investment, which will be initially used for research and development (R&D), and will then be strengthened on this basis for mass production of the next generation of four-sided curved displays.

In addition, Samsung Display is also considering future equipment investments. Due to space and design difficulties in installing TCO sputtering equipment in existing smartphone OLED production lines, the industry generally believes that Samsung Display may need to invest in new production lines.