Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone, and Apple is reportedly planning a radical redesign for its flagship Pro models. According to a reputable supply chain leaker known as Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 19 Pro and iPhone 19 Pro Max will feature a quad-curved display and under-display Face ID technology, creating a virtually bezel-free appearance. This corroborates an earlier report from analyst Jeff Pu, who had claimed the new design would be reserved for the Pro lineup rather than a separate anniversary model.
The quad-curved display – where all four edges of the glass curve downward – is designed to minimize visible bezels, giving the front of the phone an almost seamless glass surface. Combined with under-display Face ID, which moves the TrueDepth camera modules beneath the screen, the only potential cutout would be a small hole-punch for the front camera, or possibly none at all if Apple integrates that component under the display as well. This would mark the most significant front-facing design change since iPhone X introduced the notch in 2017.
Digital Chat Station shared the information on Weibo, stating that the new design is currently going through “evaluation testing” in the mass production line. This suggests Apple is already preparing manufacturing processes for a 2027 launch. While the analyst Jeff Pu earlier indicated the redesign would come to the Pro models, some rumors had speculated that Apple might debut a special “iPhone 20” edition. However, the leaker’s latest comments, along with previous reporting by Mark Gurman, point to the iPhone 19 Pro and Pro Max being the primary vehicles for the anniversary update.
The shift to a quad-curved display would require significant changes in manufacturing tolerances and glass bending technology. Apple has experimented with curved displays on the Apple Watch Series 7 and later, but a quad-curved design on an iPhone is a more complex task. Suppliers are likely already investing in new equipment to produce the curved glass panels and ensure reliable lamination with the OLED screen underneath. The move would also necessitate changes to the structural chassis to accommodate the curved glass edges while maintaining drop resistance.
Under-display Face ID is another technical challenge that Apple has been working on for several years. While under-display fingerprint sensors (Touch ID) have become common on Android devices, implementing Face ID – which relies on a dot projector and infrared camera – under the screen is far more difficult. Apple has filed numerous patents for techniques involving altering pixel layouts below the display to allow infrared light to pass through. If successful, this would eliminate the need for a notch or even a hole-punch for the face recognition system, though a small camera cutout may remain for the front-facing camera in the short term.
The timing of this redesign aligns with the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone, which launched in June 2007. For the 10th anniversary, Apple unveiled the iPhone X with the notch, Face ID, and a stainless steel frame. A similar leap is expected for the 20th anniversary, making the iPhone 19 series a landmark release. The redesign is not expected to come to the standard models, at least initially, reinforcing the Pro lineup as the pinnacle of Apple’s smartphone design.
The 2027 lineup is also rumored to include a second-generation iPhone Ultra, which could feature even more advanced camera systems or titanium materials, and possibly a new iPhone Air as a thinner, more affordable option. The Air model was previously rumored for a 2025 launch but may have been delayed to 2027 to allow Apple to refine the design. If these products materialize, the 2027 iPhone lineup could be the most diverse in Apple’s history, offering choices from the budget-friendly iPhone SE to the ultra-premium Ultra and the revolutionary Pro models.
For now, the leaks provide a clear direction for Apple’s design philosophy: a move toward a seamless, all-screen front with hidden sensors. The quad-curved display also offers potential improvements in gesture navigation and visual edge-to-edge effects. However, some users have expressed concerns about accidental touches on curved edges and durability of curved glass. Apple will need to address these issues with software optimizations and strengthened glass formulations, such as the Ceramic Shield used on current iPhones.
From a competitive standpoint, Samsung and other Android manufacturers have already experimented with curved edge displays, but Apple’s implementation is expected to be more refined, with a gradual curve that does not distort the image or cause reflections on the sides. The under-display Face ID would be a clear differentiator, as no other smartphone offers a secure facial recognition system entirely hidden beneath the display.
As the 2027 launch approaches, more leaks and prototype details are likely to surface. The supply chain evaluation testing mentioned by Digital Chat Station indicates that Apple is moving beyond the concept phase and into practical manufacturing feasibility studies. This is a strong signal that the design is locked for production, barring any major yield problems.
The article previously included a section about best iPhone accessories, but those are unrelated to the core news. Instead, we focus on the significance of the design change for Apple’s product strategy. The iPhone 19 Pro and Pro Max will set the template for future iPhones, potentially phasing out the notch entirely over the next few years. Under-display Face ID could eventually trickle down to the standard models and iPhone SE, but that is likely years away.
Apple’s ability to integrate hardware and software will be critical. The quad-curved display will require adjustments to iOS, including edge gestures, keyboard resistance, and media playback boundaries. Under-display Face ID may require changes to the TrueDepth software algorithms to compensate for lower light transmission through the display layers. Apple’s Silicon Team will also need to design new image signal processors to handle the front-facing camera’s under-display optics.
Looking further ahead, the 20th anniversary iPhone could represent the beginning of a portless iPhone, as the quad-curved design might eliminate the need for a physical charging port if MagSafe and wireless syncing become the primary interfaces. However, current leaks do not mention port removal, so that feature may come later.
In summary, the corroborated leak from Digital Chat Station, combined with earlier reports, solidifies the expectation that the iPhone 19 Pro and Pro Max will feature a dramatic redesign with quad-curved display and under-display Face ID. This marks the most substantial overhaul to the iPhone’s front appearance since the iPhone X and positions the 20th anniversary devices as a true leap forward. Apple enthusiasts and industry watchers will be eagerly awaiting further details from the supply chain as the mass production evaluation continues.
Source: 9to5Mac News