Apple's 20th anniversary: What iPhone may look like in 2027
iPhone will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2027 (photo: Getty Images)
In 2027, it will be 20 years since the release of the first iPhone, and Apple plans to celebrate this event with the launch of an entirely new smartphone design. Here is what the iPhone might be like for the brand's 20th anniversary, reports MacRumors.
In 2017, for iPhone's 10th anniversary, the company introduced the iPhone X with a full-screen design, no top or bottom bezels, no Home button, and no Touch ID. That was also when the Face ID system debuted, setting the design trend for the iPhone for the next ten years.
For the "iPhone XX," the company aims to outdo itself, and according to rumors, Apple is indeed preparing something big.
The company wants to create an all-glass iPhone with no cutouts in the display, which could become the foundation for the top-end iPhone 19 Pro model. The main goal is a truly edge-to-edge screen.
Design
The anniversary iPhone, in 2027, may receive a radically new design with a display that has no visible frame or bezels. Early leaks indicate that Apple is working on a screen that curves along all four sides of the device, creating an "unlimited" visual perception.
Apple strives to develop a mostly glass iPhone with a curved display and no cutouts. This would require under-display Face ID and a front-facing camera.
However, an all-glass iPhone with a wraparound display would be less durable than the current models with titanium or aluminum frames. Therefore, the company will likely need to develop a new, more durable glass before such a design becomes feasible.
Expected design of the anniversary iPhone (photo: MacRumors)
Battery
Apple is also developing new battery technology that may appear in the 2027 iPhone. The company considers using pure silicon anodes.
Such batteries can store more lithium ions per gram than current alternatives, resulting in significant increases in battery life without the need to noticeably increase battery size.
RAM
For the 2027 iPhone models, Apple may implement advanced memory technology focused on artificial intelligence.
Specifically, Mobile High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) is being considered—a type of DRAM in which memory chips are stacked vertically and connected through tiny vertical interconnects to improve signal transmission speed.
In smartphones, the technology would provide high data throughput with minimal energy consumption and compact chip sizes.
Name
Technically, the anniversary iPhone line in 2027 will be called iPhone 19. However, in 2017, Apple already broke the sequence by releasing the iPhone X alongside the iPhone 8. The company may follow a similar path again this time. Although the final name still hasn't been revealed.
Apple could name the device iPhone 20, drawing a parallel with the iPhone X decision, or stick with the name iPhone 19. It is also possible that the fully screen-covered model will receive a new name, such as iPhone Ultra.
The anniversary iPhone may replace the Pro line or be sold alongside it. However, adding another model may seem excessive, given that a foldable iPhone is expected in 2026.
Release date
Presumably, the 20th-anniversary iPhone will go on sale in the fall of 2027.
Earlier, we wrote that Apple's CEO stated that the iPhone may disappear within 10 years
