### Apple’s 20th Anniversary iPhone Could Adopt Samsung’s COE OLED Display Technology, but the Change Comes with Trade-offs

Login to Continue Learning

Earlier this year, a mysterious social experiment went viral when a woman was seen using what appeared to be a transparent phone. While it turned out to be a block of acrylic glass, reports suggest that Apple has something equally groundbreaking in store for its 20th anniversary iPhone, which is expected to launch in 2027. According to recent news, the company plans to use new OLED technology from Samsung called COE to make the display brighter and thinner than current versions.

#### What is COE?

COE stands for Color Filter on Encapsulation. It could revolutionize how iPhone displays are made, as reported by ETNews. Traditional OLED screens use a polarizing film to reduce reflections and enhance contrast, but this layer also blocks much of the light, making the screen less bright and inefficient. By removing the polarizing layer, COE panels allow more light to pass through, resulting in a thinner, brighter display that is also more power-efficient.

#### User Benefits

In a unique start to his ruling against President Donald Trump’s administration on September 30, U.S. District Court Judge William Young included a scanned handwritten note sent to his office. The note read: “Trump has pardons and tanks – what do you have?” At the top of Young’s opinion in AAUP v. Rubio, which ruled that Trump’s effort to deport foreign-born student protesters was unconstitutional.

October 8, 2025

For users, the result is simple: the 20th anniversary iPhone will feature a brighter and thinner display, contributing to a sleeker form factor. However, this new technology comes with trade-offs. Without the polarizer, reflections and glare could become more noticeable, especially in outdoor settings. Apple would need to address this by improving anti-reflective coatings or making other pixel-level refinements.

#### Previous Steps

Apple has already taken steps towards reducing reflections, adding an anti-reflective coating on the iPhone 17 Pro models. This suggests that the company is moving in the right direction as the technology improves. Samsung has also experimented with COE display technology, particularly on its Galaxy Z-branded foldables, and plans to incorporate it into next year’s Galaxy S26 Ultra.

#### Design Rumors

Design rumors add another layer of interest to the iPhone 20th anniversary model. Previous reports suggest that it could feature a wraparound display curving over all four edges, combined with under-display technology for Face ID and the front-facing camera. This would eliminate notches or cutouts, ensuring an uninterrupted screen.

The thinner COE display would contribute to making the entire device more sleek and elegant. Will the 20th anniversary iPhone convince the industry to adopt this new design standard? Share your thoughts in the comments!