Apple is not expected to change the iPhone 18 Pro design, reportedly because it plans a major redesign for the anniversary iPhone 20, which will likely launch late next year. Rumor has it that the company will use a quad-curved display, aiming to launch a bezel-free future. However, another company appears to be on its way to beat the folks in Cupertino at the task.
Tecno teases a phone with 0mm display border
Chinese manufacturer Tecno teased a concept phone with what it calls a true 0mm display border. Bearing the rather wordy Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone moniker, the device appears to have a flat display, which spreads out to its metal frame, unlike any commercially available phone on the market.
The company boasts that’s the first time in the smartphone industry to completely remove the physical black edges of the screen. The phone is set to have its public debut at the next ShowStoppers event, which will be held on September 3 during the IFA trade show in Berlin, Germany.
What type of display do you prefer on your smartphone?
Conquering the final millimeter
The display still has a camera cutout. | Image by Tecno
To achieve the border-free design of its prototype, Tecno says it had to rethink the smartphone from the inside out. That included advanced internal stacking, structural re-engineering, and novel screen packaging techniques.
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While the company doesn’t really go into any specifics about the process leading to the new design, it says it developed new core technology for the concept device. In a press release, Tecno says those included camera and touch sensitivity improvements, sound and smart UI interaction changes, and more.
More importantly, the company says this paves the way for innovations that are likely to make it to its upcoming devices. Its goal was to conquer the “final millimeter,” which are the 1-2mm borders visible even on the top-tier flagship smartphones.
To make its point even more obvious, Tecno shared a photo of its prototype next to an iPhone 17 Pro, inviting an easy comparison between the two.
Tecno's prototype compared to an iPhone 17 Pro. | Image by Tecno
What remains to be seen is whether smartphone users are going to appreciate the extra millimeter or two they’ll get from their phones. Some users on Reddit said they thought even the early days thick bezels were not so bad, which may not be what Tecno would love to hear.
Thinner bezels come with some undeniable benefits. | Image by Reddit (Screenshot
Still, most commenters said they appreciate having more screen real estate instead of bezels in similarly sized phones. However, as impressive as it appears, the difference between Tecno’s prototype and a device like the RedMagic 10S Pro, for example, is not as dramatic as between an iPhone 8 and modern phones.
A revamped user experience
Removing the display’s bezel altogether surely makes for a visually striking phone, but Tecno also claims it overhauls the user experience. The company says removing the borders makes the screen appear like it's floating effortlessly in the hand, and content extends seamlessly to the outer edges of the phone, leaving a futuristic visual effect.
Watching video is supposed to be better without bezels. | Image by Tecno
That’s not all, though. The company also says the new design removes any distractions when watching video, and makes control easier during gaming. While doing things like browsing photos and reading, the new display is supposedly feeling larger and more comfortable than current phones.
Something you may need to experience
This concept reminds me of the iPhone Air and the Galaxy S25 Edge. These ultra-slim flagship phones barely make sense when you see them in photos and consider the specs and battery compromises required to make them so thin.
For me, this quickly changed once I got them in my hand and felt how light and thin they are for the first time. No written description can translate the enormous difference between them and “normal” phones, and I won’t be surprised if the truly borderless experience is similar. It certainly doesn’t sound like a lot on paper, but it could be astonishing in person.
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Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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