Apple’s iPhone turns 20 in 2027, and insiders hint the company is gearing up for a major redesign that could shake up the smartphone world like never before. After years of incremental updates, the iPhone 20 might mark Apple’s boldest leap since the iPhone X in 2017-introducing a buttonless design, an all-glass body, advanced chip technology, and possibly a screen without any notches or cutouts.
Why 2027 could be a turning point for Apple
Apple’s current iPhone design has remained largely unchanged for several years: flat edges, Dynamic Island front and center, and a gradual increase in side buttons. The last major tweak focused on the camera module.
But insiders and analysts see 2027 as a potential reset. The iPhone X’s 2017 launch commemorated the series’ tenth anniversary with a radical reimagining-borderless display, Face ID replacing the Home button, and a design that defined Apple’s smartphone identity for years. Now, with the 20th anniversary approaching, Apple might deliver an equally dramatic overhaul. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman describes the upcoming design as ”exceptionally complex.”
This launch will also be a test for Apple’s new design chief, John Ternus, who officially takes the helm in September 2026-just before the iPhone 18 hits shelves. The iPhone 20 could become his second major product introduction, following this year’s anticipated foldable iPhone Fold.
Possible names for the iPhone 20
Although the logical step after iPhone 18 would be iPhone 19, Apple has a history of skipping numbers for milestone devices. Back in 2017, it jumped straight from iPhone 8 to the iPhone X (Roman numeral for 10). It is widely expected Apple might skip iPhone 19 and directly unveil the iPhone 20 as its anniversary tribute.
There’s no official word yet on the naming. It could be ”iPhone XX,” ”iPhone 20,” or perhaps ”iPhone 2027,” aligning with Apple’s new iOS naming conventions.
Solid-state controls replacing physical buttons
For years rumors have swirled that Apple is working on an iPhone without any physical buttons. According to leaks from China, the 2027 model might finally deliver this vision. It would eliminate all physical buttons-power, volume, the Action Button, and camera controls-in favor of touch-sensitive areas integrated into the chassis.
The concept resembles the MacBook touchpad’s approach: pressure sensors detect taps and presses, while haptic motors simulate the feel of clicking. The system can differentiate between a light touch and a firm press, triggering different functions accordingly.
Chinese insider Instant Digital reports Apple has tested these solid-state buttons under extreme conditions-wearing gloves, wet hands, and temperature swings-and plans to power them via a low-energy chip so they function even when the phone is powered off.
All-glass body and notch-free or minimal-cutout display
Bloomberg suggests Apple aims to launch a fully glass-bodied iPhone without any screen cutouts. Display analyst Ross Young is more cautious and predicts that a truly bezel-less, notch-free iPhone probably won’t materialize before 2030. However, he confirms that the 2026 and 2027 models will hide Face ID components beneath a transparent section of the display, shrinking the notch further.
Apple might compromise by equipping the iPhone 20 lineup with a smaller, camera-hole style cutout-similar to many Android smartphones-to replace the Dynamic Island. Meanwhile, a special anniversary edition could skip all cutouts altogether, boasting an uninterrupted glass front.
The OLED panel for the iPhone 20 is believed to come from Samsung and feature Color Filter on Encapsulation technology. This means removing the polarizing film and applying the color filter directly onto the screen’s protective layer. The result should be a thinner display with reduced glare, better brightness, and improved battery life.
In addition, Apple has reportedly ordered a display with uniform micro-curved edges on all four sides. Unlike Samsung Galaxy’s dramatic waterfall curves, these ”microbends” will be subtle, improving grip and making edge swipes feel smoother without sacrificing structure.
Processor and memory upgrades in the iPhone 20
Apple is expected to debut its first 2-nanometer chips with the upcoming iPhone 18 series in 2026. The iPhone 20 will likely use a second-generation 2nm chip with enhanced speed and power efficiency. Paired with this could be Mobile High Bandwidth Memory (MHBM), a faster type of RAM designed to accelerate data throughput.
Silicon-anode battery technology in the iPhone 20
The iPhone 20 might be Apple’s first to use a silicon-anode battery, a technology already appearing in Chinese flagship smartphones like the OnePlus 15 and Oppo Find X9 Pro. This battery type offers higher energy density, meaning more capacity packed into the same or even smaller space. Apple is reportedly considering a larger battery than previous iPhones despite device size constraints.
Camera features and pricing predictions for iPhone 20
Details on the iPhone 20’s camera remain scarce. Some analysts predict a 200-megapixel sensor might appear in 2028, but nothing concrete has surfaced for 2027. More specifics will likely come after Apple announces the iPhone 18.
Pricing is another mystery. The original iPhone X broke the $1,000 barrier, and the anniversary model could do the same or even raise the bar. It will probably cost less than the foldable iPhone Fold but could be priced on par with the top-tier iPhone Pro Max.
- How will iPhone 20 differ from a standard Pro Max?
The solid-state buttons, full glass body, potentially notch-free screen, new battery technology, and next-gen 2nm chip could make it a radically different class of device-arguably the biggest iPhone upgrade since the iPhone X. - When will Apple announce the iPhone 20?
Apple typically reveals new iPhones in September. Expect the official announcement in September 2027, with no confirmations before then. - Should you wait for iPhone 20 or buy iPhone 18?
If your current phone struggles, the iPhone 18 with the new 2nm chip and refreshed design is a solid option. But if your device is still good, waiting for the potentially revolutionary iPhone 20 makes sense. - What will happen to Dynamic Island?
Dynamic Island will likely shrink into a small punch-hole in 2026 and 2027 models. The special iPhone 20 anniversary edition might eliminate cutouts entirely by embedding Face ID under the screen.
Apple’s iPhone 20 project could reset expectations for what a smartphone can be. If Apple succeeds with its buttonless design, full-glass body, and notch-free display, it might lead competitors like Samsung and Google to rethink their own flagship strategies. The tech world will be watching closely whether Apple can truly deliver an anniversary device that is as transformative as the iPhone X was a decade earlier.