Next year’s iPhone Pro models have ‘near-borderless’ design: report

Apple is planning a significant visual overhaul for its iPhone Pro lineup in 2026, according to a report from ETNews cited by 9to5Mac. The redesign centers on dramatically slimmer bezels that would bring the display edges closer to the device frame than any previous iPhone generation, earning the description "near-borderless" from those familiar with the plans.

This article breaks down what the reported redesign entails, how it would differ from current Pro models, and what it means for developers, case makers, and consumers planning a purchase decision in the next product cycle.

Next year's iPhone Pro models have: what actually changed

The core change described in the ETNews report is a push toward near-borderless display edges on the iPhone Pro tier. Current iPhone Pro models already feature relatively slim bezels compared to the standard lineup, but the 2026 redesign would take that further, reducing the visible frame around the screen to a degree not yet achieved in production iPhone hardware. The report does not characterize this as an incremental update but rather a notable departure from the current physical form factor.

ETNews, a South Korean publication with supply chain sourcing, has a track record covering components and manufacturing plans for major smartphone makers. Apple has not confirmed any aspect of this report, and the timeline remains tied to next year's product cycle rather than any announced launch.

Next year's iPhone Pro models have: how it works

Achieving near-borderless display edges on a smartphone requires changes across several hardware layers. Display panel suppliers must reduce the inactive area at the perimeter of the screen, which involves adjustments to the bonding process, the driver circuitry placement, and the glass finishing at the edges. On the structural side, the chassis must accommodate a tighter tolerance between the display assembly and the outer frame, which can affect antenna placement and internal component routing.

Apple has managed similar engineering challenges in prior generations, such as narrowing the chin and top bezels on the Face ID-era lineup. A near-borderless target would likely push those same disciplines further, requiring tighter manufacturing tolerances from panel suppliers and assemblers. The report does not specify which display supplier or process technology Apple is relying on for the 2026 models.

Next year's iPhone Pro models have: why it matters now

The timing of this report places it roughly a year ahead of an anticipated launch window, which aligns with the typical cadence of supply chain disclosures for major Apple redesigns. Reports of this nature tend to emerge when component orders are being placed or when early design validation is underway, meaning the design is likely past the concept phase and into early engineering. That makes this more signal than rumor, even absent confirmation from Apple.

From a market positioning standpoint, near-borderless displays have already appeared on flagship Android devices, making this a competitive pressure point for Apple's Pro tier. Apple differentiating the Pro by a substantially reduced bezel would give the line a renewed visual identity distinct from the standard models and from the previous generation.

Next year's iPhone Pro models have: who is affected

The group most immediately affected is the accessory market. Case manufacturers, screen protector suppliers, and third-party hardware makers will need to wait for confirmed dimensions before tooling up for the new form factor. A near-borderless design almost certainly changes the device footprint in ways that make current-generation cases incompatible. Manufacturers who bet early on leaked dimensions risk expensive retooling if the final design shifts.

Developers building apps with full-screen layouts or edge-sensitive UI elements will want to monitor safe area inset changes if the display geometry shifts. Users currently on an iPhone Pro who are weighing an upgrade this year versus waiting will need to factor in that a significant redesign is reportedly coming, which typically drives holdout demand in the cycle before the change lands.

Next year's iPhone Pro models have: what to watch

The most important variable to track is whether additional supply chain reports corroborate the ETNews claims with more specific details — dimensions, panel supplier names, or chassis material changes. A single report establishes a rumor; corroboration from a second independent source with manufacturing access tends to indicate that production planning is real and the design is locked or nearly locked.

Apple's own design language choices around the Dynamic Island, ProMotion display, and titanium frame will also factor into how a near-borderless approach integrates with existing Pro differentiators. Builders and buyers should watch for CAD leaks and dummy unit renders in early 2026, which have historically been the most reliable early indicators of final form factor for that year's iPhone generation.