Apple has filed a new patent application for an “Electronic Device with Glass Enclosure,” a revolutionary iPhone design that would make the device appear as though it’s constructed from a single slab of glass. The patent, originally filed on March 14, 2025, describes a six-sided glass structure with a wraparound touchscreen display extending across all surfaces.
The design builds on Apple’s long-held vision, championed by former design chief Jony Ive, to create an iPhone that resembles “a single piece of glass” even though it would actually comprise multiple glass components. According to the patent, the device would include a first glass member defining the front and sides, and a second glass member forming the back, creating “a visually and tactilely seamless” appearance.
What is Wraparound Display?
A wraparound display is a type of visual setup where the screen (or projected image) curves around the viewer’s field of vision, often extending to the sides — and sometimes even partially overhead — to create an immersive, panoramic experience.
It’s called wraparound because instead of viewing a single flat screen in front of you, the imagery “wraps” around your peripheral vision, making it feel more natural and realistic.
You’ll find wraparound displays in contexts like:
- Flight simulators – Large, curved projection screens that give pilots a 180° or even 360° field of view.
- Racing simulators – Multiple monitors arranged in an arc for a cockpit-like perspective.
- Immersive theaters – Dome or cylindrical screens (like IMAX Dome or planetariums).
- Virtual reality caves (CAVEs) – Rooms where images are projected onto walls all around you.
In short, it’s all about surrounding your vision so you feel like you’re inside the scene rather than looking at it from the outside.
Revolutionary Display Technology
The patent details how a flexible display would be positioned inside the glass enclosure, extending to all six sides of the device. Users could view graphical content and interact with touch controls on any surface, including the curved edges. The documentation shows touchscreen buttons for functions like Wi-Fi, airplane mode, and volume controls distributed across the device’s periphery.
Apple notes that content could “span multiple displays and sides of the device,” with interfaces capable of wrapping around the entire structure. The design would also allow icons to move across surfaces when swiped, creating what Apple describes as “a ribbon-like user interface that wraps around the device”.
Manufacturing Challenges and Timeline
While the concept represents significant progress toward Apple’s all-glass vision that began with the iPhone X in 2017, the company acknowledges substantial manufacturing hurdles remain. Apple has been exploring similar technologies for over a decade, with this latest filing building on previous patents dating back to 2013. The patent includes provisions for microphone and speaker openings in the glass structure.
The timing coincides with Apple’s expanded partnership with Corning, announced August 6, to manufacture all iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass in Kentucky, representing a $2.5 billion investment. Industry analysts suggest such revolutionary form factors remain years away from commercial production, with Apple currently focused on the upcoming iPhone 17 Air as its next major design evolution.
