Apple launched three iPhone fashions in 2017 to rejoice the iPhone’s tenth anniversary. That was a primary for the corporate, which used to launch solely two iPhone variants within the years that preceded that anniversary.
The iPhone X joined the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus that yr, with the previous delivering Apple’s huge redesign for the handset. I purchased the iPhone X and embraced the all-screen iPhone with a notch and Face ID as quickly because the handset was accessible. I by no means missed Contact ID or the previous iPhone design, which Apple stored utilizing for nearly one other decade.
Trying again, the iPhone X was the plain alternative. It was extra thrilling. It felt like the way forward for iPhone.
However as soon as the iPhone 20 rolls out in 2027, which is what I’m calling the twentieth anniversary iPhone, it is perhaps extremely troublesome to choose your subsequent iPhone. That’s as a result of Apple may need inventory a number of compelling units worthy of your consideration by then.
Shopping for the “largely glass, curved” iPhone Apple will supposedly launch to rejoice the iPhone’s subsequent huge milestone may not be as clear as shopping for the iPhone X was. And I’m saying that as a longtime iPhone consumer already contemplating my subsequent iPhone decisions.
The iPhone 20 with no show cutouts?
What’s a “largely glass, curved” iPhone? That’s how Mark Gurman describes the twentieth anniversary iPhone in his Energy On e-newsletter for Bloomberg. He additionally says the 2027 iPhone is not going to function any show cutouts, which means Apple would transfer the Face ID and selfie digital camera parts underneath the display by then.
Such distinct design particulars would make the iPhone 20 the standout handset of Apple’s 2027 iPhone lineup. iPhone 20 makes probably the most sense as a product identify for the handset, contemplating what Apple did for the tenth anniversary. Once more, the iPhone X (pronounced 10) launched alongside the iPhone 8 and eight Plus. Apple skipped the iPhone 9 fully.
Gurman isn’t the primary to say that no less than one 2027 iPhone will lack digital camera cutouts. Additionally, we’ve had experiences up to now that stated Apple was engaged on fully bezel-less shows.
It’s nonetheless unclear what the “largely glass” design refers to. In spite of everything, present iPhone 16 fashions are largely glass units. They’ve a steel body sandwiched between two glass panels.
Will the iPhone 20 get a wraparound show like a few of Apple’s patents instructed years in the past? It’s too early to inform, however I’m already nervous about dropping such a tool.
Nevertheless, if these experiences pan out, the iPhone 20 might be the proper, all-screen iPhone we’ve been ready for. That doesn’t imply it is going to robotically be one of the best iPhone alternative of that yr.
The bigger iPhone 19 Air
I’m shopping for the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air this yr, comproises be damned, and assuming tariffs don’t break its value.
That’s, I need a highly effective iPhone with a big show and a skinny physique, and I’m keen to lose options alongside the best way. So what if it has only one digital camera or a battery that hardly makes it by the day? I’ll take care of all that, realizing that the Air sequence will get higher.
The iPhone 18 Air ought to convey further vitality efficiencies because of an excellent higher processor. Additionally, I count on Apple to introduce new battery tech that may convey stellar battery life to slim candybar telephones. I’m explicitly referring to candybar telephones right here as a result of there’s one other ultra-slim iPhone within the making that ought to not make any battery compromises (extra on that beneath).
I’m not going to improve to the iPhone 18 Air in 2026 if I get the 17 Air this yr, however there’s a report from a special insider that we must always all concentrate on. Ming-Chi Kuo stated a couple of days in the past that Apple will launch an iPhone 19 Air in 2027, that includes a bigger show than the iPhone 18 Air.
Kuo appeared to corroborate a report from The Data that stated Apple would change the way it sells iPhones in 2026, as soon as the first-gen iPhone Fold mannequin arrives. That report additionally famous that no less than on 2027 iPhone mannequin may have a show with out digital camera cutouts.
The iPhone 17 Air will probably be virtually as huge because the iPhone 17 Professional Max. A bigger iPhone 19 Air means the handset will get a barely bigger battery or a greater digital camera module on the again.
iPhone Fold 2
The consensus is that Apple will launch its first-gen foldable iPhone in 2026. This machine will probably be not like what the competitors has to supply, despite the fact that Apple rivals have been manufacturing foldable telephones for nearly a decade.
The iPhone Fold ought to function a brand-new kind of hinge that, coupled with new foldable show tech, will let Apple eradicate the crease. The handset will even be very skinny, which suggests it’ll pack a skinny battery of its personal. In contrast to the iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone Fold would have extra room for a bigger battery, as every half will home a battery pack.
Extra apparently, the primary foldable iPhone is claimed to problem conventional foldables by providing a brand new facet ratio. The telephone is not going to be as tall because the Galaxy Z Fold, packing a 5.4-inch show when folded. However unfolded, the foldable iPhone may have a show that’s virtually as huge because the iPad mini.
That’s, Apple isn’t going for a clamshell iPhone foldable that might resemble the Galaxy Z Flip. As an alternative, we’re getting a novel tackle foldable telephones.
You’ve most likely realized the place I’m heading by now. The 2026 iPhone Fold will most likely stun the world, however the 2027 iPhone Fold 2 will ship an excellent higher foldable bundle, as Apple will proceed to refine its design.
The “boring” iPhones
To recap, iPhone followers may have no less than three thrilling iPhones to select from in late 2027: The all-screen, largely glass iPhone 20; the bigger iPhone 19 Air that’s not even a flagship; and the iPhone Fold 2 foldable. That is positively not 2017 once more. The iPhone 20 that Gurman is describing may not essentially be the one must-have iPhone of 2027.
However wait, it will get much more sophisticated than that. Apple’s cheaper iPhones, together with the brand-new iPhone E model, are unimaginable units. You wouldn’t be improper to purchase an iPhone 16e or iPhone 16 proper now as an alternative of the costlier variations.
The identical experiences from Kuo and The Data I discussed earlier than stated Apple would pair the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e within the first half of 2027. I’m sure many consumers will probably be more than pleased with certainly one of these units. They gained’t have to attend for the flagship iPhones of 2027, which can embody the three units I described above.
Lastly, I can’t assist however wonder if the iPhone 19 Professional and 19 Professional Max will disappear, morphing into the iPhone 20 line, or whether or not they’ll be bought as standalone units.
Kuo’s report stated these two units will probably be accessible within the second half of 2027. He didn’t point out the largely glass iPhone 20 Gurman is describing. If Apple’s 2027 iPhone lineup contains the common iPhone 19 Professional fashions subsequent to the redesigned iPhone 20, iPhone 19 Air, and iPhone Fold, selecting a premium iPhone will grow to be even more durable.
