Different from what you knew: This is what the next iPhone is expected to look like
Apple is preparing for the launch of the twentieth-anniversary model of the iPhone, which is expected to feature the most significant design change since the launch of the iPhone X. The device will realize the vision of a single, completely continuous glass surface with no protruding edges.
Apple is preparing for the launch of the twentieth-anniversary model of the iPhone, which is expected to feature the most significant design change since the launch of the iPhone X. According to reports by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg and other industry leakers, the new model will be based on an almost full-glass structure. The device will realize the historical vision of former designer Jony Ive to create a smartphone that looks and feels like a single, completely continuous glass surface with no protruding edges.
Liquid Glass and Bezel-less Screen
The center of the physical upgrade is the new screen, which will likely be marketed under the name Liquid Glass Display. Unlike Samsung's curved screens, Apple will use a subtle curve on the four edges of the device combined with optical light refraction that will make the frame disappear. The new design is intended to provide a more natural feel during scrolling gestures and prevent distortion of the content displayed on the screen, while reducing the thickness of the bezels to just 1.1 millimeters.
To achieve a continuous and clean look, Apple is bringing back "Project Bongo," which was intended to replace all physical buttons with vibration mechanisms (Haptic Feedback). The power button, volume keys, action button, and camera button will be embedded directly into the frame without mechanical movement. The new keys have successfully passed operational tests in water conditions, extreme temperatures, and use with gloves, and will continue to function with the help of a tiny processor even when the battery is drained.
Apple will introduce the iPhone 20 in September 2027.
Hidden Sensors and the Aluminum Struggle
The company's main engineering challenge remains on the front of the device. Apple aims to completely eliminate the Dynamic Island notch and move the front camera and Face ID sensors under the screen using micro-transparent glass technology. If the technology does not reach full maturity, the company will settle for a small, compact hole in the center of the display. The device is expected to arrive in two sizes of 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches, alongside the launch of the second generation of the foldable iPhone.
The issue of the frame material is sparking controversy among industry analysts. While some reports hinted at a transition to liquid metal or a return to titanium, leakers claim that aluminum continues to be the only practical material due to the high heat emission of artificial intelligence processors. The ability to cool the device while processing complex AI tasks will determine the type of metal chosen for the thin frame, which is expected to receive a shiny and luxurious finish.
