Apple is reportedly preparing a major redesign for the iPhone in 2027, a year that will mark the smartphone’s 20th anniversary. The company is said to be working on a glass-heavy design for its Pro models, aiming to make the iPhone look substantially different from the devices that came before it.
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple is developing two devices internally identified as V73 and V74. The upcoming iPhones are expected to feature glass across the front and back, with the material extending around the curved sides. A metal band would remain in the middle, providing structural support and helping Apple overcome some of the manufacturing challenges associated with an almost entirely glass handset.
The redesign could become one of Apple’s most significant visual changes since the introduction of the current flat-edged iPhone design.
Credits: Tom’s Guide
Apple’s Ambitious All-Glass iPhone Hit Manufacturing Problems
Apple had reportedly explored an even more radical concept in which the iPhone would rely heavily on glass and eliminate much of the metal used in its construction. The idea would have given the device a striking, almost seamless appearance.
However, turning that concept into a mass-produced product proved difficult.
One of the biggest challenges involved securely joining different sections of glass. While creating a prototype may be possible, producing millions of devices with the same level of precision is considerably more complicated.
Apple ultimately abandoned the most ambitious version during the early stages of development after the design failed to meet the requirements for large-scale production.
The company instead appears to have settled on a compromise that still delivers a dramatically different look while retaining a metal component for greater structural integrity.
That decision is particularly important because Apple typically finalises major iPhone designs well ahead of their public launches. With the 2027 models already undergoing advanced testing, the company is believed to have made significant progress on the overall design.
2027 iPhone Plans Remain on Track
The report also contradicts a recent claim from Jefferies analyst Edison Lee, who suggested that Apple’s all-glass iPhone project had been cancelled following discussions with suppliers.
Apple’s broader 2027 roadmap reportedly remains unchanged.
The conflicting reports also had an immediate impact on investor sentiment. Apple shares reportedly fell as much as 2.8% in New York following the cancellation report, while Lee downgraded the company’s stock.
The controversy highlights how much attention is being placed on Apple’s 2027 iPhone lineup. The 20th anniversary gives the company an opportunity to introduce a design that could generate significant consumer interest and help maintain the iPhone’s position at the centre of Apple’s business.
iPhone Remains Apple’s Biggest Growth Engine
The importance of the redesign goes beyond appearance. The iPhone continues to account for roughly half of Apple’s overall revenue, making each major generation strategically important for the company.
Apple’s iPhone sales reportedly increased 22% in its latest quarter, demonstrating that demand for the product remains strong.
The company is also preparing an unusually busy pipeline of new devices. A foldable iPhone is expected to arrive alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, with the Pro models reportedly receiving substantial camera improvements.
Apple is also considering a dark red colour option for its upcoming devices.
In spring, the company is expected to introduce the standard iPhone 18, an updated iPhone 18e and a second-generation iPhone Air. The new Air model could receive an additional camera, a newer processor and improved battery life.
Credits: ET Telecom
Apple Is Building a Larger Hardware Ecosystem
The company’s ambitions extend beyond smartphones. Apple is reportedly developing smart glasses, camera-equipped AirPods and other wearable and home products with a stronger focus on artificial intelligence.
For Apple, the 2027 iPhone could therefore represent more than a simple anniversary edition. A redesigned glass-centric Pro model, combined with new hardware categories, could form part of a broader strategy to refresh the company’s product ecosystem.
The exact design is still subject to change before production begins, but Apple’s continued work on the project suggests that the 20th-anniversary iPhone could be one of its most visually distinctive releases yet.
