Apple could release iPhone 20 series in 2027 to mark iPhone’s 20th anniversary: report

Published On: 23 October 2025 | 09:52 IST

Apple is said to be releasing the iPhone 20 along with the (relatively) budget iPhone 18e during the first half of 2027 as part of the iPhone’s 20th anniversary, if a new report is to be believed. Apple could omit the iPhone 19 series altogether, following the same trend that it employed for the iPhone X for the iPhone’s 10th anniversary, as per a report by Omdia analyst Heo Moo-yeol. This milestone is said to introduce the greatest design shakeup since the iPhone X in 2017, along with a change in Apple’s naming and release strategy.

In terms of design, the iPhone 20 series is likely to take Apple’s minimalism to the next level, something it has been trying to attain for quite some time. A previous report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested a “four-sided bending display,” which would make the phone look like one piece of glass. The design, likely enabled through advanced panels from Samsung and LG, would eliminate visible bezels and potentially even physical buttons and ports, which has been a long-running Apple ambition. This approach mirrors concepts seen in Xiaomi’s 2021 portless phone prototype, which experimented with a curved glass body and invisible boundaries.

Xiaomi portless concept with four curved waterfall display

Moo-yeol states that the iPhone 20 could debut earlier in 2027, in contrast with the typical September launch schedule Apple has had since 2012. The iPhone 20 Pro, Pro Max, and Air versions might appear later in the year, as they do, with a second-generation Fold, after the first one purportedly releases in 2026. This two-part rollout suggests a more extensive product strategy, perhaps aimed at diffusing attention across multiple models during the course of the year.

The report also suggests that Apple might not launch the vanilla iPhone 18 model in 2026 and instead introduce the long-awaited iPhone Fold, streamlining its lineup with less ambiguous tiers and lowering overall production. The shift is thought to reduce panel demand by almost 20 million units, which is an indicator of a more streamlined, efficiency-based product strategy.

The iPhone 20 line might keep to Apple’s latest “Air” rebranding alongside the Fold 2 (or whatever the moniker is). The diversification could imply that Apple would now organize its lineup into separate user categories: Air for form and convenience, Pro for performance and photography, and the Fold for tech enthusiasts.

Apple’s move to ultra-thin, foldable, and curved-glass phones seems to be in line with its overall plan to differentiate itself as smartphone demand slows and competition increases. This follows trends set by competitors such as Samsung and Xiaomi, which have adopted foldable and curved designs to attract fashion-oriented and tech-savvy consumers. OPPO, Vivo, and Samsung are leading the way with flexible and foldable form factors, while Google Pixels are moving towards thinner bezels and in-display camera integration. Apple’s long-rumoured all-glass design and under-display camera seem to be focused on strengthening its premium design focus over functionality. While rivals drive innovation to appeal to tech fans, Apple’s emphasis appears to be on polishing the feel, finish, and long-term user perception of its products.

Apple’s branding strategy in this case is straightforward: to mark a milestone with dramatic design updates that simultaneously revitalise the product line and confirm its high-end positioning. The iPhone 20’s zero-bezel, all-glass appearance could draw from the success of the iPhone X for the 10th anniversary to make an equally lasting impression at 20 years. Although remember, nothing at Apple comes for free, and a price bump is the least we can expect. So even though Apple differentiated in terms of design with the iPhone 17 Pro series, those waiting for a more radical overhaul should start saving their bucks, if the report is to be believed.