Apple’s 2027 iPhone Could Be Its Boldest Redesign Yet

Apple’s 2027 iPhone could mark the company’s biggest redesign since the iPhone X, according to this week’s episode of The MacRumors Show. The model is expected to arrive for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary, and its final name is still unclear. Apple skipped iPhone 9 in 2017, and MacRumors says it is widely expected to skip iPhone 19 as well, leaving “iPhone 20” and “iPhone XX” as placeholder names in current rumors.

The anniversary device may either replace the usual Pro models or sit above the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max as a new premium tier, though MacRumors says a direct replacement is more likely. Apple has already shown a willingness to reset its branding with the iPhone Air, whose successor is expected to be the iPhone Air 2.

What the 2027 redesign could include

MacRumors says Apple is aiming for a nearly bezel-free look with curved glass wrapping around all four edges and a glass back, echoing former design chief Jony Ive’s long-stated goal of a single slab of glass. The frame is said to be a thin polished band, possibly using a different material from the aluminum found on Apple’s current straight-edged phones.

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The display may curve onto the sides, though that raises familiar concerns about accidental touches seen on older Android phones with waterfall-style screens. Apple is reportedly trying to make the design work with a case, but it is still unclear how aggressive the curvature will be.

Apple also reportedly wants a front with no cutouts, but under-display technology may not be ready in time. Current reporting points to:

• a smaller Dynamic Island
• Face ID components moving under the display
• an under-display front camera arriving later, because image quality still suffers when a lens sits behind the panel

Another rumored change is the return of solid-state haptic buttons, reviving Apple’s shelved “Project Bongo” effort. Reports cited by MacRumors say the idea could reduce moving parts, cut down on button-related AppleCare repairs, and free up internal space for a larger battery or additional haptic hardware.

Chip, battery, and camera changes

The anniversary models are expected to use a second-generation 2-nanometer A21 chip, along with efficiency improvements and a newer Apple modem. Apple is also said to be developing its own custom image sensor to replace the Sony sensors used across the current iPhone lineup, extending its push to bring more core components in-house.

MacRumors says the rear camera bump will likely remain because of the space needed for the telephoto lens’s folded optics. A 6,000mAh battery has appeared in some rumors, though the report notes it is unclear whether that figure is backed by supply-chain information.

The same rumor also mentioned reverse wireless charging, which would let the iPhone recharge accessories such as AirPods or an Apple Watch. Apple has never enabled that feature for other devices, even though iPhones already contain the underlying wireless charging hardware. Its practicality on the anniversary model may depend on the larger battery and expected efficiency gains.

MacRumors says this year’s iPhone 18 Pro models are likely to be a more modest update, with the larger overhaul reserved for the anniversary phone expected in fall 2027, after the iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, and iPhone Air 2 launch in the spring.