Apple Files Patent for All-Glass iPhone Design with Touch-Sensitive Displays on Every Surface

Apple has reportedly filed a patent for an all-glass iPhone design, potentially hinting at a future model. The filing describes an electronic device with a "six-sided glass enclosure" and touch-sensitive displays on every surface. This aligns with Apple's long-standing vision for iPhone hardware and could be a future design overhaul, with plans to launch a mostly glass iPhone in 2027. The patent outlines openings for microphones and speakers, and a visually and tactilely seamless look, but manufacturing such a design remains a challenge.

Apple has reportedly filed a patent for an all-glass iPhone design, potentially hinting at a future model. The filing describes an electronic device with a "six-sided glass enclosure" and touch-sensitive displays on every surface. This aligns with Apple's long-standing vision for iPhone hardware and could be a future design overhaul, with plans to launch a mostly glass iPhone in 2027 [1].

The patent outlines an electronic device that includes a six-sided glass enclosure with a touchscreen display within the interior volume and positioned adjacent to at least a portion of each of the six sides. A separate section adds that the device could feature a touch-sensitive display assembly attached to the inner surface, capable of showing visuals through at least a portion of each of the two major sides and at least a portion of each of the four peripheral sides—effectively allowing content display and touch interaction on every edge [2].

The document also notes openings in the glass for microphones and speakers, while emphasizing a visually and tactilely seamless look. The enclosure may appear visually and tactilely seamless, such that the entire enclosure may appear to be formed from a single piece of glass (even though it may be formed from multiple separate pieces attached together) [2].

Manufacturing such a design remains a challenge, meaning it may be years away, if it happens at all. Apple routinely patents concepts that never reach production, and this could be one of several paths under consideration. In the near term, the closest realization of Apple’s slim, glass-heavy vision is likely the iPhone 17 Air, expected to debut in September as the thinnest iPhone yet [2].

References:
[1] https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/08/11/apple-doubles-down-on-all-glass-iphone-with-wraparound-touchscreen
[2] https://www.business-standard.com/technology/tech-news/apple-all-glass-iphone-patent-liquid-glass-ios-26-125081200739_1.html