Apple rumored to unveil glass-body iPhone for 20th anniversary, analysts doubt its placement in Pro lineup
Leaks suggest the 2027 iPhone could feature a full-glass, edge-to-edge display and under-display sensors, but industry observers question whether it will replace the current Pro models.
Apple is reportedly developing a special-edition iPhone to mark the device’s 20th anniversary in 2027. The prototype is said to return to Jony Ive’s original vision of a single slab of glass, with a 7-inch edge-to-edge display that curves over the sides, under-display Face ID and camera modules, and the removal of the Dynamic Island notch.
Industry commentary notes that the recent iPhone 17 Pro shifted toward an all-aluminum chassis to improve thermal performance, while the iPhone Air line emphasizes a thin, premium glass-titanium design. Observers argue that reintroducing a glass-only Pro model could compromise thermal management, making it more likely that the anniversary device would sit alongside the Air series rather than replace the Pro lineup.
Analysts also point to Apple’s upcoming launch of an iPhone Air 2 in early 2027, which may feature a second camera, as an indication that the company could position the anniversary model as a premium alternative to the Air rather than a direct successor to the Pro series. The projected 2027-2028 lineup could include the iPhone 19 Pro/Pro Max, the 20th-anniversary iPhone in two sizes, a second-generation foldable iPhone, and the standard iPhone 19 and iPhone 19e models.
While rumors remain unconfirmed and the device is still more than a year away, the speculation highlights uncertainty about how Apple will integrate a radical glass design into its existing product hierarchy.