This week’s episode of The Woozad Show looks at the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, the radically redesigned model that Apple is expected to launch in 2027.
Apple’s plans for the device’s name remain unclear. The company skipped “iPhone 9” and went straight to the iPhone Rumors have referred to the 2027 models as both “iPhone 20” and “iPhone XX” as placeholder names, and it’s still possible that they’ll sit above the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max as a separate, higher tier directly, although they’re more likely to replace them as usual. Apple has already reset the iPhone brand with the iPhone Air, the successor of which is expected to be the iPhone Air 2.
The 2027 iPhone is rumored to be the biggest redesign since the iPhone The frame would be a thin polished strip, potentially in a material other than the aluminum used on Apple’s straight-edged models, with the screen curved at the sides rather than following a consistent curve.
Side-curved screens can be prone to accidental touches, a problem seen on previous Android handsets with cascading edges, although Apple is expected to design the device to work with a case. The extent of the curvature and the extent to which the display appears to refract at the edges is not yet clear.
Apple reportedly wants a cutout-free front, but it’s unlikely any of the under-display technology will be ready in time, meaning some form of front cutout is likely to persist. Current reports point to a gradually shrinking dynamic island, Face ID components moving under the panel, and an under-display camera arriving last, as image quality always degrades when a lens is behind the display.
Apple is rumored to be revisiting solid-state haptic buttons, reviving the “Project Bongo” effort that reached prototype years ago before being abandoned. Reports have cited several potential motivations, including a cleaner frame with no moving parts, a reduction in mechanical button failures that account for many AppleCare repairs, and additional internal space for a larger battery or additional haptic motor.
Apple is reportedly developing a custom image sensor that would replace Sony’s sensors currently used in the iPhone lineup, following the company’s decision to bring its silicon, modem, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips in-house. The rear camera tray will likely be retained due to the space required by the folded optics used for the telephoto lens.
The anniversary models are expected to share a second-generation 2-nanometer A21 chip, as well as efficiency gains and a newer Apple modem. A 6,000 mAh battery has appeared in some rumors, although it’s unclear whether this figure is based on supply chain information.
Reverse wireless charging appeared in the same report and would allow the iPhone to charge accessories such as AirPods or an Apple Watch. The underlying hardware is already there, since iPhones can charge a MagSafe battery via their wireless coil, but Apple has never enabled this feature for other devices, a feature Samsung has offered on its phones for several years. Its viability on the anniversary model may depend on the larger battery and efficiency gains claimed for the device, considering how much charge reverse wireless charging draws from the handset itself.
This year’s iPhone 18 Pro models are rumored to be a more modest update, with the larger redesign reserved for the 20th anniversary model. It’s expected to arrive in fall 2027, following the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 in the spring. The Woozad Show has its own YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe to keep up with new episodes and clips.
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If you haven’t already listened to the previous episode of The Woozad Show, catch up on our discussion on the future of Apple’s increasingly tangled high-end MacBook lineup, including the entry-level MacBook Pro and the rumored “MacBook Ultra.”
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