Apple is preparing one of the most ambitious iPhone redesigns in years to mark the device’s 20th anniversary in 2027. But it's going to be glass-based, to be made in a curved glass shape, along the front, back and sides of the device, they said. The redesigned iPhone will go on sale in September 2027 two decades since the original iPhone revolutionized the mobile phone industry.
According to reports, the upcoming design is being developed internally under the codenames V73 and V74, which represent two different sizes. In contrast to Apple’s earlier, more radical idea of an almost entirely glass smartphone, the current design apparently mixes curved glass with a metal mid-frame. This should give the device a higher structural strength without sacrificing on glass all-around.
The development came after Apple had abandoned an even more ambitious all-glass concept. Apple's design team had been hoping to create an all-glass version which would require much more glass and less metal in the product. However, volume-production testing has revealed technical difficulties, particularly the bonding of dozens of glass panels together. Durability and manufacturing reliability were particularly important in the development process, the report claimed.
The move towards a glass-and-metal construction could therefore represent a compromise between Apple's design ambitions and the practical needs of mass production. To make millions of smartphones with a complex glass structure requires extremely precise manufacturing processes, and the devices must also withstand everyday use (drops, etc.)
The reports also contradict a recent research note that Apple had completely abandoned its all-glass iPhone project. But, in reality, Apple probably only scrapped the most extreme version of the idea and continued to work on a more practical glass-centric design that could actually be feasible.
The launch of the iPhone 2027 would be particularly significant since it would be the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone. Apple has historically used big anniversaries to launch new designs and that is why the 20th anniversary is a big one for Apple.
A curved glass exterior would also make the future iPhone seem more visually distinctive. A lot of smartphones already use glass panels on the front and back of the phone but adding curved glass around the sides would lend an even more seamless look and could make it appear less like an unassembled piece of material.
But that would also have its own problems. Glass is more susceptible to damage than other metals and curved surfaces make repairs and manufacturing a lot more difficult. Apple would have to balance appearance, durability, weight, heat management and production costs.
The use of a metal mid-frame would alleviate some of these issues. It could give Apple the structure it needs to remain rigid while still maintaining the curved glass exterior. The final design, however, could still be changed before production even starts, and the reported launch date is more than a year away.
The project will also receive much attention from the technology industry. Apple’s iPhone designs frequently influence broader smartphone trends, and competitors may follow a similar approach in materials, displays, camera layout and device construction.
The iPhone, in turn, will likely be the first to be a huge deal for consumers, going to the iPhone 2027. A 20th anniversary model would allow Apple to honor its product history and also present a new vision for smartphone technology in a new way.
As development continues, more details about the display, cameras, processor, battery technology and durability features are likely to emerge. But until Apple officially announces the device, specifications and design details should be treated as reports rather than confirmed product information.
Apple reportedly abandons plans for an all-glass iPhone celebrating the iPhone’s 20th anniversary.
— dnv. (@44DNV) August 10, 2026
Apple has reportedly scrapped plans for an ambitious all-glass iPhone that was being developed for the company's 20th anniversary, with production challenges said to have played a… pic.twitter.com/XsX6sa9sXd
If the plans are real, Apple’s 20th anniversary iPhone would probably become one of the company’s most striking smartphones yet. Covered in curved glass at the front, back and sides with a structural metal frame, Apple might be seeking that perfect balance between futuristic design and mass production.
So the September 2027 launch will certainly be watched closely by fans and the industry at large. After two decades of iPhone innovation, the anniversary edition could give Apple another major design statement to say thanks to the device that helped define the modern smartphone.
