Next year’s ‘iPhone 20’ might not deliver the all-screen design many expected, as a new leak suggests Apple still faces major technical hurdles with under-display technology.
For months, reports have pointed to a special 20th anniversary iPhone with a seamless display, no cutouts, and minimal bezels that wrap around the edges. That vision lines up with Apple’s long-standing goal of creating a device that looks like a single slab of glass. However, the latest update suggests that goal remains out of reach for now.
According to leaker Fixed Focus Digital, Apple has not made smooth progress with key under-display components. Moving both Face ID sensors and the front camera beneath the screen remains a complex challenge. As a result, Apple may scale back its ambitions for next year’s model.
Apple may shrink the Dynamic Island instead
Fixed Focus Digital shared the update on Weibo, noting that Apple is still far from achieving a true full-screen design.
“Apple’s full-screen progress is not so smooth. The high probability is still mainly to shrink the island, which is a great distance from the real full screen…”
That points to a more gradual approach. Apple may continue reducing the size of the Dynamic Island rather than removing it entirely. This keeps the current design direction while improving screen space step by step.
Apple needs reliable under-display Face ID and camera systems to remove all visible cutouts. Both technologies must maintain performance without affecting display quality. That balance has proven difficult so far.
There is still time for progress before the iPhone 20 launch, which remains about 18 months away. However, current signals suggest Apple will stick with incremental changes instead of delivering the full-screen breakthrough next year.
