Full-Screen iPhone Delayed: Apple Faces Hurdles for 20th Anniversary Model

March 29, 2026 Rachel Kim – Technology Editor Technology

Apple’s ambitions for a truly full-screen iPhone, potentially marking the company’s 20th anniversary of the device, face significant technical hurdles, according to recent reports.

The envisioned design centers around completely concealing the front-facing camera and Face ID components beneath the display. Yet, a post from Weibo user Fixed Focus Digital suggests that Apple’s progress in display technology is not advancing as smoothly as anticipated. This indicates that the next iPhone series, including the anticipated 2026 models, may not feature the radical design overhaul many have speculated about.

Instead of a dramatic redesign, Apple may focus on incrementally reducing the size of the “Dynamic Island” – the pill-shaped cutout currently housing the front camera and Face ID sensors – in the upcoming iPhone series. This approach aligns with predictions from Bloomberg and analyst Ross Young, who have suggested that partially moving Face ID components under the display could lead to a smaller Dynamic Island. However, other sources indicate the size of Face ID and the Dynamic Island may remain “almost unchanged.”

The challenges facing a full-screen iPhone echo those outlined in job descriptions for Senior Editors within the tech industry, which emphasize the necessitate for meticulous attention to detail and quality control in the development and publication of content. [1, 3] These roles require overseeing editorial teams and ensuring high standards, mirroring the complex engineering and design processes required for a device like the iPhone.

Fixed Focus Digital also touched upon Apple’s development of a foldable iPhone, predicting it will be ultra-flat, appropriately sized and reasonably priced. The report suggests that supply chain partners are optimistic about production volumes. This aligns with broader industry trends, as manufacturers continue to explore foldable display technologies and seek to address challenges related to durability, and cost. [2, 4]

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