Rumor: Apple is considering thin-bezel LCDs for next iPhones

Apple would consider using Japan Display’s Full Active LCDs with small bezels for the next generation of iPhones. The current iPhone 8 and 8 Plus have LCDs, while the iPhone X has an OLED screen from Samsung.

It is still unknown what diagonal, resolution and screen ratio the LCDs that Apple will use, reports business newspaper The Wall Street Journal. The only Full Active LCD announced so far has a diagonal of 6″ and a screen ratio of 18:9. The screen is included in the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2.

Japan Display’s Full Active LCDs differ from previous screens from the same manufacturer because the bezels are the same on all sides and also relatively small. The screen can theoretically go up to 0.5mm on each side, Japan Display reported when it announced Full Active in June. In practice, the screen edges will often be thicker. The iPhone X has more than four millimeters left on all sides.

It is common for the first rumors about features and components of subsequent iPhones to appear around the time current iPhones hit the market. Apple generally works on its phones for several years, which means that the manufacturer already has to consult with suppliers, among others.