20 Years of iPhone: Apple Wants to Make a Statement

For years, new iPhone models have been changing, primarily in the details. They're getting better technically, but the design remains largely familiar. That could soon change. Apple is apparently planning an iPhone for 2027 that will be significantly different from all previous generations. It will be made entirely of glass, with no visible edges, notch, or camera cutout. The basis for this new model is an idea that former Apple designer Jony Ive has long pursued.

Jony Ive was the face behind Apple product design for many years. During his time at Apple, he repeatedly spoke of an iPhone that would look like a single pane of glass—no bezels, no visible elements, just a screen. The iPhone X was the first device to partially realize this vision. The device was the first with an edge-to-edge display and set a new standard for design. But what Ive really had in mind was even more radical. Now, almost 20 years after the first iPhone, Apple may be ready to take that step.

An iPhone without compromise: The anniversary model for 2027

To celebrate the iPhone's 20th anniversary, Apple is working on a very special device. According to a report by Mark Gurman, a new iPhone Pro model is planned that will implement the concept of an "all-screen" design. This isn't a slightly redesigned model, but a completely new design concept. The goal is to build an iPhone that is made entirely of glass—with a screen that stretches across all four sides.

Technology: Display, camera and design without interruptions

Apple plans to focus on two key technologies for its anniversary model:

4-sided bending display: The display is designed to extend across the front and edges, without visible bezels or edges. According to a report from ET News, Apple is currently working with Samsung Display and LG Display to implement this technology. Development has already begun, and negotiations for production are expected to begin soon.
Under-Display Camera (UDC): To completely blend the camera into the design, it is integrated under the display. This eliminates the need for a notch or camera island. The display remains visually uninterrupted.

With these technologies, Apple aims to create a device that is as close as possible to Jony Ives' original vision: an iPhone that looks and feels like a piece of glass.

What comes first? iPhone 17 Air and iPhone Fold

Before the anniversary model is released, Apple already has other models in the pipeline. The iPhone 17 Air is expected in fall 2025 – an extra-thin model that will set new standards in lightweight design. The first iPhone Fold is expected to follow the following year, in 2026. This, too, will feature new form factors and display technologies. These two devices pave the way for the larger goal: a completely bezel-less iPhone.

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What is still unclear

Whether the planned design will actually be implemented remains to be seen. There's plenty of time until 2027 for changes. It's conceivable that Apple may have to adjust the design during development – for example, for reasons of production, stability, or cost efficiency. Nevertheless, the project is apparently considered a priority within Apple. If the design team manages to overcome the technical challenges, the anniversary model could be a real highlight.

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The iPhone 2027 is intended to make a statement

For the iPhone's 20th anniversary, Apple is planning a model that not only offers new technology but also a completely new look. The device is intended to showcase the iPhone in its ideal form – a screen without interruptions, without bezels, without compromises. This would mean Apple would deliver exactly what Jony Ive once envisioned. Nothing is official yet, but the signs are pointing to change. If all goes well, the 2027 iPhone will be the boldest model since the iPhone X – and a true milestone in the history of the smartphone. The best products for you: Our Amazon Storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those for HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / BB DESIGN STOCK)