Apple Plans 2027 iPhone 20 Anniversary Model with Portless Glass Body, Under-Display Face ID, Solid-State

Apple is preparing its most significant product overhaul since the iPhone X, with plans to launch a new flagship model dubbed the "iPhone 20" in fall 2027. On the industrial design front, the key breakthrough is a move toward a minimalist "single seamless glass" form, departing from the traditional sharp-edged flat frame in favor of a micro-curved, equal-depth four-sided glass body. Unlike the early "waterfall screens" seen in the Android camp, Apple is leaning toward a shallower, softer micro-curve transition, combined with internal optical refraction and light-guiding structures, to weaken or even hide the front bezels both physically and visually, creating a borderless, enveloping visual effect.

Regarding the display and front components, Apple's long-term goal is to achieve a "zero-hole" front design. Supply chain sources indicate that Apple is developing a solution to fully hide Face ID and even the front camera beneath the display, including testing micro-transparent glass window technology that allows infrared light to pass through without loss.

To match the seamless glass aesthetic, Apple's previously shelved "Project Bongo" solid-state button project is reportedly being revived for this model. The physical mechanical switches on the device—including the power button, volume buttons, action button, and camera control button—will be completely removed, replaced by pressure-sensitive solid-state buttons integrated into the frame, paired with Taptic Engine haptic feedback. This design eliminates wear from mechanical openings, and internal testing shows that the solid-state interaction responds reliably in extreme scenarios such as wearing gloves, wet hands, and severe cold or heat.