Glass iPhone: Apple’s New Futuristic Patent
Apple has always had a penchant for glass, whether in its products or Apple Stores. With iOS 26 and its Liquid Glass aesthetic, the company is taking this fascination even further. A recently discovered patent reveals that the dream of a glass block iPhone is still very much alive.
Former design chief Jony Ive had previously discussed the idea of an iPhone “made from a single piece of glass.” The patent filed by Apple describes a device that is entirely surrounded by glass on all six sides.
The concept is based on two main components:
- A front panel that slightly wraps around the edges, with thicker and thinner areas creating an elegant curvature.
- A back panel that completes the casing to form a smooth and transparent shell.
A Touchscreen on All Faces
Inside, a touchscreen spans all visible faces of the device, including the edges. The aim is to display content in 360°, allowing for touch interactions on every side of the phone. The patent also includes discreet openings for microphones and speakers, integrated in a way that maintains visual continuity.
Despite being made up of several components, the design would create the illusion of a singular polished glass block, free of visible interruptions both to the touch and the eye.
This style echoes the evolution initiated with the iPhone X (2017):
- Progressive reduction of bezels
- More immersive displays
- Integration of curves similar to those on the Apple Watch
Not Coming Soon, But a Clear Goal
Let’s be realistic: producing such an iPhone today remains highly complex, particularly due to factors like durability, production challenges, and costs. The model closest to this vision will likely be the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, expected to be the thinnest yet designed by Apple.
In the meantime, the company continues to move step by step towards this goal by gradually eliminating bezels, improving curved screens, and optimizing transparency effects in iOS.
The idea of a completely glass iPhone, with touch controls on all sides, seems straight out of a science fiction movie. If Apple manages to create a product that is both practical, elegant, and durable, it could redefine the aesthetic of smartphones for the next decade.
