In 2027, it will be 20 years since the first iPhone was unveiled, and according to industry insiders, Apple is preparing a radical redesign of its flagship smartphone to mark this anniversary. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Apple Insider, while the details of the concept are already being discussed by specialized publications and supply chain analysts.
Skipping the Number 19: Repeating the iPhone X Marketing Move
By analogy with 2017, when instead of the hypothetical iPhone 9 the company unveiled the revolutionary iPhone X, Cupertino may completely skip the number 19 and release the iPhone 20 (or iPhone XX) right away. Such a move would turn the anniversary model into a standalone product rather than just another generation of the lineup.
Glass Monolith and a “True Edge-to-Edge” Display
Insiders on Weibo, in particular Digital Chat Station and Fixed Focus Digital, claim that the anniversary device will build on the technological achievements of the ultra-thin iPhone Air: the smartphone will feature more rounded forms and a glass construction. According to them, the use of new methods for shaping glass elements will not only make the device more elegant but also reduce manufacturing costs. At the same time, reports point to a significant upgrade of the cooling system — an enlarged heat-dissipation plate, which should address the problems of compact bodies.
Among the key technological features cited by analysts are a “True Edge-to-Edge” display: an edge-curved screen with record-thin bezels and no visible cutouts, as well as an all-glass or combined glass monolith without traditional flat metal edges. In the first renders published on the social network X by insider Yogesh Brar, the smartphone is shown with a display curved on all four sides (quad-curved OLED) and a similarly curved back glass, as well as a horizontal dual-camera module instead of the familiar vertical one.
Under-Display Sensors and a Redesigned Camera
Particular attention is warranted for the possible integration of Face ID and the front camera directly under the display matrix — under-display sensors that, according to experts, will allow the company to drop the Dynamic Island in favor of a classic punch-hole cutout or to eliminate the visible opening altogether. It is precisely this element of the concept that sparks the most engineering debate, since the placement of Face ID sensors in such a configuration remains unknown for now.
Contradictory Data
Two opposing narratives have emerged around the development status of the anniversary iPhone. A report by Jefferies analyst Edison Lee, cited by regional media (including Nur.kz), claimed that Apple ran into technological difficulties in creating an all-glass monolith and allegedly shelved the concept. However, the authoritative Bloomberg insider Mark Gurman and specialized sources MacRumors and 9to5Mac refuted a full cancellation: according to them, Apple is continuing active R&D work on the anniversary smartphone, where glass and a bezel-less curved display play a central role. Thus, this is not about cancelling the project, but about the high complexity of the final engineering implementation, which may balance between a pure glass monolith and a premium glass-metal alloy.
In addition, experts advise treating the published renders with a degree of skepticism: the Camera Control touch button on the right edge is not visible, the left side shows a chaotically placed key without the familiar volume buttons or Action Button, and instead of the Dynamic Island a punch-hole cutout is shown. This may indicate that some of the concepts were generated with AI based on an inaccurate supply chain description.
The Main Focus — Autumn 2026
Although rumors about the 20th-anniversary iPhone fuel the imagination, the company's main focus remains the autumn 2026 presentation, at which Apple will unveil the new generation of iPhone 18 Pro flagships, as well as the foldable iPhone Ultra, designed to fully enter the market of advanced devices. The anniversary iPhone 20, by contrast, falls within the 2027 horizon and currently exists primarily in the form of supply chain analysis and insider reports, without official confirmation from Apple.
