The “Samsung insider” in the June 2024 headline was not a Samsung executive or engineer. It was Ice Universe, a Samsung-focused smartphone leaker, reacting to renders and measurements of the then-unreleased iPhone 16 Pro Max. His enthusiasm was about one feature: a reportedly narrower display border than the Galaxy S24. The eventual iPhone 16 Pro Max did deliver Apple’s thinnest-ever product borders, but Apple never confirmed the leaked 1.153 mm figure or a world-beating smartphone record.
What Ice Universe actually claimed
In early June 2024, Ice Universe said the iPhone 16 Pro models could surpass the Galaxy S24 in bezel thinness. He shared an iPhone 16 Pro Max render, a comparison with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and a schematic showing a claimed 1.153 mm bezel measurement. BGR reported the comments and described him as a prominent Samsung leaker and “diehard Galaxy fan,” not as a verified Samsung employee or company representative.
That distinction matters. “Drooling” was headline language for excitement, not a literal statement that Samsung endorsed Apple’s phone. Ice Universe was expressing an opinion about leaked industrial design, while the 1.153 mm number was an unverified pre-release estimate.
The comparison also had a qualification: his praise for the narrower border did not mean he liked every aspect of the design. The Dynamic Island remained visible, so the display was not completely uninterrupted.
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- The large 6.9-inch display combines ProMotion 120Hz technology with advanced color calibration, giving movies, games, and productivity apps a spacious, crisp, and fluid visual experience that’s ideal for multitasking or immersive media consumption.
BGR’s original report contains the renders, the Galaxy S24 comparison and the leaked schematic.
Why thinner bezels were a big deal in 2024
Apple increased the Pro display sizes from the previous generation’s 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch classes to 6.3 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro and 6.9 inches for the Pro Max. Narrower borders help fit a larger screen into a body that does not grow by the same proportion, while also making video, games and reading look more immersive.
- More usable visual area: content occupies more of the front surface.
- A more modern appearance: small borders can make an otherwise familiar design look substantially newer.
- Controlled growth: manufacturers can enlarge the display without making the chassis dramatically wider.
- Competitive pressure: a highly visible border advantage gives rivals a clear design target.
That is why the rumor was strategically interesting rather than merely cosmetic. Apple needed the larger Pro models to feel like a meaningful redesign, and a tighter frame around the screen was an obvious way to achieve that.
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- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 90% capacity or higher relative to new.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 1 year of receipt if you are not satisfied.
The camera-and-chassis explanation was analysis, not an Apple promise
The pre-launch coverage also connected the larger Pro bodies with camera hardware, especially the tetraprism telephoto system expected in the smaller iPhone 16 Pro. The proposed logic was that Apple could add internal room for cameras and other components while using thinner borders to increase the diagonal display without an equally dramatic increase in the front footprint.
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That was an explanation offered by the coverage, not a statement from Apple that the camera system specifically required bezel reduction. Apple’s later specifications confirm the larger display and larger chassis, but they do not establish that complete cause-and-effect chain.
What Apple actually launched
Apple announced the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max on September 9, 2024, and released them on September 20. Apple described the lineup as having the thinnest borders of any Apple product. That is an official claim about Apple’s own products, not a declaration that the phones had the narrowest bezels in the entire smartphone industry.
Rank #3
- The large 6.9-inch display combines ProMotion 120Hz technology with advanced color calibration, giving movies, games, and productivity apps a spacious, crisp, and fluid visual experience that’s ideal for multitasking or immersive media consumption.
- Titanium frame and reinforced edges provide a premium, durable build, reducing weight compared to stainless steel while enhancing grip and making the phone easier to handle during long sessions of video recording, gaming, or editing.
- Camera system designed for versatility and precision, including ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto lenses with improved low-light and macro capabilities, giving photographers and creators a broader range of expressive tools while maintaining sharp details across the frame.
- Advanced Action button offers customizable shortcuts, allowing quick access to features like capturing photos, launching apps, controlling accessibility tools, or activating automation tasks without interrupting your workflow.
- Audio and video performance optimized for creators, with spatial audio, improved microphones, and stabilized video recording, providing professional-quality sound and smooth footage whether recording content, streaming, or joining video calls.
| Specification | iPhone 16 Pro Max |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch OLED |
| Resolution | 2868 × 1320 at 460 pixels per inch |
| Dimensions | 163 × 77.6 × 8.25 mm |
| Weight | 227 grams |
| Refresh rate | Up to 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB |
These are the finished product’s published figures from Apple’s technical specifications. Apple’s dimensional drawing provides additional physical and display-area measurements.
Did it really have the world’s narrowest bezel?
The safest verdict is “partly confirmed, but not in the way the headline suggests.” The iPhone 16 Pro Max clearly delivered a larger 6.9-inch display and Apple’s thinnest product borders. The central direction of Ice Universe’s prediction was therefore broadly right: Apple made the Pro front look more screen-dominant.
What remains unconfirmed is the exact 1.153 mm measurement and any universal ranking against every competing phone. Apple’s public specifications do not list that number, and its launch language stops at “thinnest borders of any Apple product.”
Rank #4
- Premium Performance: Powered by the latest A18 Pro chip for ultra-fast performance, advanced AI features, seamless multitasking, and smooth gaming.
- Stunning 6.9" ProMotion Display: Super Retina XDR OLED display with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for incredibly smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals.
- Pro-Level Camera System: Advanced 48MP main camera with enhanced zoom, Night mode, macro photography, and 4K Dolby Vision video recording.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
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Bezel figures are also easy to compare incorrectly. A measurement may refer to the active lit image, the panel’s black mask, the cover glass or only one edge. Corner radii and the point chosen for measurement can change the result. A meaningful comparison with a Galaxy model requires identical measurement methods and definitions.
MacRumors’ post-launch display analysis further noted that the larger screens came from both thinner bezels and somewhat larger chassis dimensions. The display grew, but the phone did not become magically compact.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.The trade-offs behind the visual improvement
A genuinely large phone
At 163 mm tall, 77.6 mm wide and 227 grams, the Pro Max is a substantial device. Its size benefits media, gaming, editing and reading, but one-handed reach, pocket comfort and prolonged use remain real considerations.
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- The larger 6.9-inch display enhances productivity and media consumption, giving extra room for multitasking, side-by-side apps, and immersive viewing without feeling unwieldy in hand.
- Camera improvements focus on ultra-wide performance, capturing more detail at the edges of the frame and reducing distortion, making landscape shots, group photos, and architecture photography cleaner.
- Refined gesture controls and haptic feedback make interactions feel more precise, so scrolling, tapping, or switching between apps is smoother and more satisfying compared to previous Plus models.
- Audio enhancements optimize speaker output for spatial awareness, delivering clearer separation between instruments and voices in music, video playback, and FaceTime calls without relying on headphones.
- Durable yet lightweight materials balance heft and portability, with a subtly textured back and reinforced edges that improve grip while maintaining the premium appearance expected from the Plus series.
The Dynamic Island is still there
Reducing the side borders did not remove the camera and sensor cutout. The screen can look more immersive around the edges while still having a visible interruption at the top.
A visual gain rather than a new capability
Thin borders improve proportions and perceived immersion, but they do not by themselves change camera quality, software, charging or productivity. The design advantage is easiest to appreciate when watching video or using apps with expansive layouts.
Industry consequences were predictions
It was reasonable to expect Samsung and other Android manufacturers to pursue similarly narrow borders, but claims that Samsung “had to respond” were competitive analysis, not a confirmed company strategy.
The post-launch verdict
Ice Universe was reacting to a specific design feature, not declaring the iPhone 16 Pro Max a better overall phone than a Galaxy. His leaked number was never turned into an Apple specification, and the phone did not receive an official worldwide bezel record. Still, Apple’s finished product validated the broad idea behind his excitement: the iPhone 16 Pro Max paired a 6.9-inch screen with the thinnest borders Apple had put on any product, while accepting a larger, heavier body and retaining the Dynamic Island.
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