Apple’s big 20th anniversary iPhone is starting to sound like the kind of device that will look amazing in promo shots — but maybe a bit more complicated in real life.
According to a report highlighted by Wccftech, Apple is expected to be working on a quad-curved display design for the so-called iPhone 20. That means the screen would curve across all four sides, giving the phone a more seamless, futuristic look compared to today’s flatter iPhone designs.
Very atas, very Apple. But apparently, there is one technical problem that may not be fixed in time for next year’s launch.
The issue: brightness drop at the edges
Korean tech outlet ETNews reportedly says the problem comes from the display’s cathode layer, which currently uses a magnesium-silver alloy. In a quad-curved panel, that material may distort near the screen edges.
Why does that matter? Because distortion around the edges could reduce overall brightness, especially in the curved areas of the panel. For a normal flat display, this kind of problem is already annoying. For a premium anniversary iPhone that is supposed to flex Apple’s design muscle, it becomes a much bigger deal.
Apple reportedly wants to move away from the magnesium-silver alloy and use Indium-Zinc Oxide, or IZO, instead. The catch is timing. The report claims this improved material may only be ready for Apple’s phones in 2028, not next year.
Samsung, LG and the display supply chain problem
The rumoured iPhone 20 display is also interesting because of who may be making it. Previous reports suggested Apple had an exclusive arrangement with Samsung for the iPhone 20’s quad-curved panel, while LG was not mentioned as part of that initial supply setup.
That matters because if Apple relies on only one display supplier, costs usually go up. Samsung Display is already one of the biggest names in premium OLED panels, but a complex new design like this will not be cheap to manufacture.
LG could reportedly come into the picture later, possibly around 2028, when IZO-based cathode production becomes more realistic. The company is said to be investing around 1.106 trillion won, roughly US$741 million, into a new facility. For Malaysian readers, that is somewhere in the multi-billion ringgit range depending on exchange rates — serious money just to support future panel production.
Samsung is also reportedly preparing similar manufacturing capacity so it can meet Apple’s demand if the technology moves forward.
Why Malaysians should care
For Malaysia and SEA buyers, the biggest concern is simple: price.
If Apple launches a redesigned anniversary iPhone with a difficult-to-build quad-curved OLED panel, don’t expect it to be murah. The current Pro iPhones already sit firmly in premium territory locally, and a more expensive display supply chain could push the iPhone 20 even higher.
That matters not just for hardcore Apple fans, but also mobile gamers. A brighter, more immersive display is great for games like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Mobile Legends, PUBG Mobile and Wuthering Waves. But if the edge brightness is uneven, that “premium” screen experience may not feel as flawless as the marketing suggests.
There is also the repair angle. Curved screens usually make accidental drops more painful for your wallet. In Malaysia, where many people stretch their upgrade cycle and rely on telco plans, trade-ins or instalments, a more fragile and expensive display could be a real consideration.
Could Apple delay the design?
The report suggests a few possible outcomes. Apple could still launch the iPhone 20 with the quad-curved display and accept the current limitation. It could delay the improved IZO version until 2028. Or, in the more boring but safer scenario, Apple could skip the quad-curved panel for now and release the iPhone 20 with a more conventional flat-edge display.
Nothing is confirmed yet, so treat this as supply-chain chatter rather than final product news. Still, the direction is clear: Apple wants the anniversary iPhone to feel special, but display tech is not magic. If the panel is too expensive, too hard to make, or not visually consistent enough, Apple may have to choose between design flex and practical quality.
For Malaysian buyers, the smart move is simple: don’t get caught by the hype cycle too early. If the iPhone 20 really goes quad-curved, wait for proper reviews, brightness testing and local RM pricing before deciding whether this is a real upgrade or just a very expensive flex.
Source: Wccftech Gaming