Ten years ago, Apple launched the iPhone X to celebrate a decade of the iPhone, introducing the edge-to-edge screen, removing the Home button, and debuting Face ID - setting the design direction for the next generation. Now, with the so-called “iPhone XX,” Apple is preparing something even more radical.

According to leaks, Apple is exploring the idea of a seamless glass iPhone - no notches, no punch holes, just uninterrupted screen from edge to edge. A premium iPhone 19 Pro model could be the first to realize this vision. The company is reportedly developing a true wraparound display with no borders or visible cutouts.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested that 2027 will be a landmark year for Apple. Alongside the anniversary iPhone, the company may also unveil its first foldable iPhone, smart glasses, upgraded AirPods, and an Apple Watch with a built-in camera.

The 20th anniversary iPhone may break new ground with a frameless, edge-to-edge display curved on all four sides. To achieve this, Apple would need to embed both Face ID and the front-facing camera under the screen.

However, the all-glass design could sacrifice durability. Unlike current Pro models made with titanium or aluminum frames, a glass-wrapped iPhone would require a new generation of ultra-strong glass to ensure resilience.

The 2027 iPhone Pro may also include next-generation AI memory. Sources suggest Apple is considering Mobile High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) - a type of DRAM that stacks memory chips vertically and links them through microscopic interconnects. This would boost data throughput while reducing energy use and physical memory size.

Apple is also exploring pure silicon anode battery technology for the 2027 iPhone. These batteries can store significantly more lithium ions per gram than today’s graphite-based anodes, potentially extending battery life without increasing the device’s physical size.

According to the naming timeline, the 20th anniversary iPhone should be the iPhone 19. However, as seen in 2017 - when Apple jumped from iPhone 8 to iPhone X - the company may surprise fans with a special title.

Apple could call it iPhone 20, echoing the X branding strategy. Alternatively, if the device stands apart from the Pro lineup, Apple might go with a new name entirely, like iPhone Ultra.

This special edition may replace the Pro model or launch alongside it. However, since a foldable iPhone is also expected in 2026, adding another flagship device could crowd the lineup.

Apple is likely to unveil the 20th anniversary iPhone in fall 2027, following its traditional release cycle.

Hai Phong (Macrumors, The Verge)