Apple's iPhone 20th anniversary model will reportedly launch in fall 2027 with a major design overhaul, according to multiple industry sources. The device, potentially named iPhone 20 or iPhone XX, aims to deliver a major iPhone redesign, though reports suggest it may not be as dramatic as the iPhone X's overhaul in 2017.
Display analyst Ross Young suggests Apple may not achieve a completely cutout-free front display by 2027, despite earlier rumors. Instead, the anniversary iPhone could feature a dramatically smaller Dynamic Island, building on technology being tested in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.
The iPhone 18 Pro's Dynamic Island will shrink by 35 percent this year, according to leaker Ice Universe. The pill-shaped cutout reduces from 20.76mm to 13.49mm, creating a more noticeable visual change than previous iterations.
This reduction becomes possible as Apple moves Face ID sensors beneath the AMOLED display, a transition that began with translation errors suggesting a switch to punch-hole designs. The smaller Dynamic Island will remain exclusive to iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, not reaching base iPhone 18 or iPhone Air 2 variants.
Apple's 2027 anniversary iPhone represents a stepping stone toward the company's ultimate goal of a completely uninterrupted display. Ross Young's conservative timeline indicates the true all-screen iPhone may not arrive until closer to 2030, with the 2027 model serving as an intermediate milestone.
The anniversary device will likely incorporate CoE (Color Filter on Encapsulation) OLED panels for thinner, brighter displays. Supply chain competition between Samsung Display and LG Display centers on meeting Apple's manufacturing requirements for these advanced panels, with LG reportedly investing approximately $270 million to prepare.
Solid-state haptic buttons could replace mechanical volume and power controls on the 2027 iPhone, improving water resistance and durability. This aligns with Apple's broader design direction emphasizing fewer moving parts and more seamless construction.
Apple may skip the "iPhone 19" naming entirely, jumping directly to iPhone 20 for the 2027 lineup. This naming strategy echoes the iPhone X branding shift in 2017, which marked the iPhone's 10th anniversary with a similar design reset.
The 20th anniversary iPhone arrives as Apple potentially expands its lineup to include foldable models, positioning the milestone device as the statement piece within a more diverse product family. This expansion allows Apple to validate new technologies like under-display components in other models before incorporating them into the flagship anniversary device.
Current iPhone pricing shows Apple's market positioning ahead of the anniversary cycle. The iPhone 16e, launched in February 2025 as Apple's budget option, recently dropped to £479 on Amazon, representing a 20 percent discount from its £599 retail price.
Industry observers note that while the 2027 iPhone may not achieve the rumored completely bezel-free design, it still represents Apple's most aggressive push toward edge-to-edge displays since introducing the notch in 2017. The combination of smaller cutouts, advanced OLED technology, and solid-state controls creates a clear generational break even without achieving the ultimate all-screen vision.
