Apple is reportedly planning a major overhaul to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the iPhone in 2027, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple is developing a foldable iPhone and a bold new iPhone Pro model featuring more glass than ever before.

A solid glass iPhone - Jony Ive’s dream becoming reality?

Could this mean Apple is finally turning former Chief Design Officer Jony Ive’s dream into reality - a seamless iPhone made entirely from a single block of glass?

That remains uncertain. But if Apple is planning a product as groundbreaking as the iPhone X in 2017 (which marked the 10th anniversary), it’s safe to say something big is on the horizon.

Back in 2017, Apple shocked the world with the iPhone X, eliminating the Home button, introducing a fully gesture-based interface, and replacing Touch ID with Face ID facial recognition technology.

What will the 20th anniversary iPhone be called?

There’s still no official word on what Apple will name the 2027 iPhone. If the company sticks to its current naming convention and annual release cycle, it would be the iPhone 19.

However, given that Apple skipped “iPhone 9” to launch “iPhone X” for its 10th anniversary, it’s possible the company will release a model called “iPhone 20” or take a different naming approach entirely to mark two decades of iPhone history.

Will the 2027 foldable iPhone have a completely new design?

Gurman previously reported that Apple’s first foldable iPhone, likely in book-style format, is expected to debut in 2026.

This means the foldable iPhone mentioned for 2027 is likely a second-generation model or could be an entirely new design - such as a clamshell-style phone similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip.

For the 2026 version, leaks suggest that Apple has opted for a horizontal fold, similar to the Galaxy Z Fold. When folded, Apple’s iPhone Fold will feature an external 5.5-inch display - smaller than today’s minimum iPhone size of 6.1 inches. When unfolded, it will boast a 7.8-inch inner screen, close to the 7.9-inch iPad mini.

Imagine holding an iPad mini in landscape mode or placing two 6.1-inch iPhones side by side - that gives you a rough sense of the foldable iPhone’s size.

This form factor will require iOS to be redesigned for smooth operation in both portrait and landscape orientations. Apple is currently working on iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 with a more unified interface across devices. This evolution will make the system more compatible with foldable screen designs.

The foldable iPhone is also expected to incorporate technology from the upcoming iPhone 17 Air, achieving an ultra-slim profile of just 4.5 to 4.8 mm when opened - thinner than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5.1 mm), currently Apple’s slimmest device. However, when folded, the phone’s thickness is expected to range from 9 to 9.5 mm, making it bulkier than current iPhone models.

While many details remain under wraps, it’s clear that Apple is preparing for an unprecedented iPhone event to mark the brand’s 20th anniversary. With innovations like a foldable phone, all-glass construction, and major UI changes, 2027 may represent a defining new chapter in iPhone history - just as the iPhone X did in 2017.

Hai Phong (MacRumors, TechRadar)