Apple’s 20th anniversary iPhone is expected to arrive in fall 2027 with the most significant redesign the device has seen since the iPhone X.
The first iPhone was announced in January 2007 and went on sale in June, meaning the device’s 20th anniversary technically falls on June 29, 2027. Apple rarely launches new high-end iPhones outside of the September time frame, and anniversary models are still expected to arrive in the fall of this year, just as the iPhone June.
The 2027 model has been rumored for over a year, with reports of an all-glass design, new display technology, and a series of upgrades that Apple has been working on for several generations. Just as the iPhone
Apple could ignore the “iPhone 19” name in the same way it ignored “iPhone 9” before the iPhone Here’s everything that’s been said so far about the device:
- Curved all-glass design with edge-to-edge display: Apple is reportedly aiming for a new design with curved glass wrapping generously around the front and back, described by BloombergMark Gurman’s like a curved iPhone without cutouts in the screen. Apple’s supply chain facilities have reportedly completed renovations ahead of production, with build quality reportedly close to that of the first-generation iPhone Air. The panel is meant to curve on all four edges for a borderless effect, going beyond the curved screens used by other manufacturers. Rather than the aggressively curved “waterfall” edges seen on some Samsung panels, Apple is reportedly looking for a four-curve design of equal depth with very shallow “micro-curves,” which could make edge swipes more natural and reduce distortion of on-screen content. Reportedly, bending the display circuitry on each edge requires an ultra-thin film encapsulation layer to protect the OLED panel from moisture and air, and one leak claims a 1.1mm bezel, compared to around 1.44mm on the iPhone 17 Pro.
- More advanced display: Apple has reportedly adopted a Samsung-made panel using a color filter on the encapsulation, which removes the polarizing film and applies the color filter directly to the encapsulation layer. The technique reduces the thickness of the display stack and lets more light through, thereby improving brightness while reducing power consumption, and the panel would be paired with next-generation 16nm display driver chips. Apple will also use a crater-shaped light diffusion layer designed to even out brightness so the screen appears evenly lit in all areas, including curved edges.
- Face ID under display: Apple would like to move the Face ID system below the panel, using a “spliced micro-clear glass” window that allows infrared sensors to pass through the screen. The technology is expected to debut on iPhone 18 Pro models first, but DSCC’s Ross Young said it’s unlikely to be fully ready even for 2027, and expects a smaller iPhone 18 Pro-style Dynamic Island to stick around.
- Two size options: Unlike the iPhone
- Custom Apple Image Sensor: Apple is reportedly developing its own stacked image sensor to replace the Sony sensors used across the iPhone lineup, having already built a working prototype. The sensor would use LOFIC technology, allowing each pixel to store different amounts of light and potentially achieve up to 20 values of dynamic range.
- Solid-state haptic buttons: Apple is rumored to be relaunching “Project Bongo” to replace the mechanical side button, volume buttons, action button and camera control with haptic equivalents integrated into the frame. The buttons reportedly passed tests of use with gloves, wet hands, extreme temperatures, and with a case installed. An ultra-low power microprocessor is said to keep the solid-state buttons functional even when the handset is turned off or the battery is depleted.
- A21 chip: Both anniversary models are expected to use a second-generation 2-nanometer “A21” chip, shared with the second-generation foldable iPhone.
- High-bandwidth memory: Apple is reportedly considering a mobile HBM, a form of DRAM that stacks memory chips vertically and connects them using silicon vias to increase signal transmission speeds. Connecting memory to the iPhone’s GPU would be a strong candidate for improving AI performance on the device, and Apple has reportedly discussed the plan with memory suppliers Samsung and SK Hynix, both of which plan to begin mass production after 2026.
- Apple modem in the United States: Apple aims to have modems that surpass Qualcomm’s in speed and AI functionality by 2027, following the C1 and C1X used in the iPhone 16e and the iPhone Air, and the C2 on the iPhone 18 Pro outside the US only. With the iPhone’s 20th anniversary, an Apple-designed modem is expected to be installed on high-end devices in the United States for the first time, providing an efficiency boost for better battery life.
- Pure silicon battery: Apple is reportedly pairing the new display with pure silicon battery technology for improved power efficiency, which offers higher energy density than conventional lithium-ion cells and could enable greater capacity in the same physical space. One leaker claimed that a 6,000mAh battery could be fitted to the device, although it’s unclear where that figure came from.
Reverse wireless charging, under-screen audio that eliminates the earpiece slot, and a next-generation ceramic shield have all been mentioned by a leak, but it’s unclear if these claims are based on supply chain information.
While the device is still over a year away, the latest 20th anniversary iPhone could still change significantly from the current image provided by the rumors. A two-stage rollout has been reported for the curved panel itself, with implementation in 2027 introducing some distortion and loss of brightness at the edges before a more advanced version follows in 2028.
Apple is expected to launch the 20th Anniversary iPhone in fall 2027 alongside a second-generation foldable iPhone, following the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e and iPhone Air 2 in the spring.
