iPhone 15 just tipped to bring this curved design back

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Curved bezels are in again, claims leaker

iPhone 11 Pro Max back
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

For three generations, the iPhone has adopted a flat-edge design, but if the leaker ShrimpApplePro is correct, that could be set to change with the upcoming iPhone 15 family.

In a series of tweets about the display design for Apple’s next smartphone, the leaker claimed that while the display will remain flat, all three devices will have curved bezels. “All I can say [is] that iPhone 15 now looks more Android than ever”, the leaker had observed in an earlier tweet.

If you’re having trouble picturing how that might look, the leaker told one follower to “just imagine the iPhone 11 Pro Max display” — which was Apple’s last smartphone before the flat aesthetic took over. Here’s a reminder of what that looked like.

iPhone 11 pro max

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The leaker also suggests that screen sizes will remain the same this generation. That may seem like a surprise, given how poorly the iPhone 14 Plus is reportedly selling, but it takes time to change course. Remember that we still got an iPhone 13 mini, even though it was clear very early on that the iPhone 12 mini was a dud, sales-wise.

Elsewhere in the thread, ShrimpApplePro’s source confirms that Ceramic Shield will return (“it ain’t broke so why bother”), that the front-facing camera appears unchanged, and that — as long predicted elsewhere — Dynamic Island will be present across all models, and no longer a Pro-handset exclusive. 

Speaking of Pro handsets, there’s also mention of the iPhone 15 Ultra — the widely tipped enhancement to make the 6.7-inch Pro Max model more desirable with features like a Titanium shell. 

“Source described the iPhone 15 pro max (aka ultra) is [sic.] very beautiful,” the leaker wrote. “With the thinner bezels and curved edges could create the same effect like on Apple Watch.” 

This talk of curves ties in rather neatly with a previous prediction from the leaker. Back in November, ShrimpApplePro suggested that the upcoming iPhone 15 handsets could have a curved back. If you combine both of these rumors, then you’re left with a real break away from the flat design era.

The key word in that sentence, however, is “rumors” and while ShrimpApplePro’s predictions have been proved right before, this remains speculation until we have a bit more evidence to go on. 

The good news, is that if this does prove to be correct, we should have more to go on in just a few months. The leaker is predicting we should see CAD renders “start popping up soon in March or April.”

Alan Martin
Alan Martin

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. He also handles all the Wordle coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game for the last several years in an effort to keep his streak forever intact.