Apple hasn't even announced the iPhone 17, but there are already rumors about an iPhone 19 that won't be revealed until 2027. There's a chance that Apple could use the twentieth anniversary as a reason to release another significant redesign similar to iPhone X.
When Apple announced iPhone X, pronounced "iPhone ten," it skipped the iPhone 9 completely. There was never any real explanation, but it seemed fitting that the iPhone X was released on the tenth anniversary in 2017.
A rumor suggests that the twentieth-anniversary iPhone could be dubbed iPhone 20 — thus skipping iPhone 19. There's no way to know if Apple will refer to it using Roman numerals again, but iPhone XX seems a bit odd written out.
iPhone 19 design rumors
The redesigned iPhone would use more glass elements, but that's already a rumor for the iPhone 17. So, it seems Apple could finally land on an all-glass iPhone that has been rumored before.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max design mockups are likely not far from what iPhone 19 will look likeMoving to the front, the display could also see a change by removing all visible cutouts. Rumors from Ross Young Suggest the Face ID sensors could move below the display for iPhone 18 Pro in 2026, but the selfie camera would remain visible for that generation.
The issue is that moving the selfie camera below the display could result in a loss of quality, which Android manufacturers have encountered. Apple is unlikely to adopt the technology if photo quality is reduced, but it may be good enough by 2027.
iPhone 19 goes transparent
The glass UI rumored for iOS 19 could continue to be refined until 2027 where an all-glass iPhone reacts to the world around it. There's no telling what Apple might have planned, software wise.
Developers have experimented with developing UI that places a GUI on top of a camera recording of the device's surroundings. The result is an awkward paradigm that kills battery life.
However, rather than having the iPhone 19 rely on a fully transparent UI, it could utilize its all-glass design in other ways. Expect some apps to blend into whatever you're doing, like capturing a photo.
A20 an Apple Intelligence powerhouse
Not much is known about Apple's A20 processor destined for iPhone 19. It is likely to benefit greatly from Apple's continuous improvements in its silicon.
One rumor says the A20 could get a kind of Unified Memory used in M-series processors, except it would be optimized for mobile. If so, it would mean easier GPU access to RAM and more powerful Apple Intelligence features.
More 2027 iPhone models
The rumor also suggests 2027 could finally be the year Apple releases an iPhone Fold. That lines up with previous predictions, but such a device has been predicted and subsequently pushed back since at least 2019.
The iPhone 17 Slim model is expected to be a precursor to Apple's foldable efforts. The ultra-thin device would be a proof-of-concept that such a thin product could still be durable, powerful, and battery efficient.
Apple will announce an iPhone in 2027, that much is certain. Expect more as leaks and rumors solidify around the product in coming years.
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
