Following its usual cycle, the iPhone 15 series is expected to be announced in about two months. Rumors vary, but leaks and renders indicate the iPhone 15 lineup will continue using a flat screen. Although curved-screen prototypes have appeared in leaks from time to time, Apple has used flat screens since the original iPhone. The main reasons for this choice are outlined below.
User experience
Apple places strong emphasis on user experience. A flat screen tends to be easier to use with one hand, which simplifies common tasks such as typing and browsing. Large-radius curved edges can cause portions of on-screen content to appear incomplete in some cases. Compared with curved edges, flat screens also reduce accidental edge touches, an important consideration for users who frequently play games or perform precise touch operations.
Design consistency and software compatibility
Maintaining a flat-screen design preserves continuity with prior iPhone models. A sudden shift to a curved screen would likely require changes to the operating system interaction model and new gesture conventions tailored to curved edges. In addition, millions of apps in the App Store are developed with the iPhone and iPad flat-screen layouts in mind. Introducing a curved-screen iPhone would push developers to update apps for the new form factor, otherwise display or compatibility issues could arise.
Durability and serviceability
From a mechanical perspective, curved screens are generally more complex and can be more fragile than flat screens. Curved panels are often more susceptible to damage when a device is dropped, and repair costs for curved screens are typically higher. Applying screen protectors is also more difficult on curved surfaces; issues such as lifted edges, trapped dust, and adhesive overflow are common without experience or specialized tools. By contrast, flat screens are simpler to protect and service, and existing screen-protection accessories and "dust-free" application tools work more reliably with flat panels.
Conclusion
The three factors above—user experience, design and software consistency, and durability/serviceability—explain why Apple has favored flat screens. Curved displays no longer generate the same level of interest they once did. A social media poll suggests that, all else equal in display quality, roughly 75% of users prefer a flat flagship screen, indicating continued strong demand for flat displays.
