Debunking Rumors: Apple Still Planning 2027 iPhone 20th Anniversary Redesign with Full Glass Design, Reports Say

According to insiders, Apple (AAPL-US) is still planning to launch a new iPhone design centered around glass for the 20th anniversary of the iPhone's debut, refuting claims in a Jefferies analyst report that the project had been canceled.

Bloomberg technology reporter Mark Gurman, citing sources, reported that Apple is still on track to release iPhone Pro models next year featuring a new glass-textured exterior. These two devices, internally codenamed V73 and V74, will have glass on both the front and back, with the glass extending to the sides of the device, connected by a metal frame band in the middle.

Apple’s design studio had led a more futuristic version using even more glass to replace metal, but it was canceled in the early stages. Sources said Apple encountered issues connecting different glass panels and found the design difficult to maintain when further evaluating mass production feasibility.

Since the iPhone’s debut in 2007, Apple has continuously explored more groundbreaking designs. Although the vision of a 'seamless glass' iPhone has faced technical challenges, Apple still expects to launch an evolved version of the original concept next year, aiming to surprise the market.

Jefferies analyst Edison Lee cited supply chain research earlier this week, stating that the full-glass iPhone had been canceled, signaling a setback in Apple’s efforts to launch higher-priced smartphones, and downgraded Apple’s stock investment rating accordingly. This led to Apple closing down 1.5% on Monday.

However, one insider interviewed by Bloomberg said Apple’s product roadmap has not changed.

The iPhone remains Apple’s largest revenue source, accounting for about half of the company’s total revenue. The latest quarterly earnings show iPhone sales grew 22% year-on-year last quarter, outperforming other business segments.

New iPhone designs are typically finalized about a year before their annual fall launch, meaning the 2027 iPhone design is already in late-stage testing, unless unexpected issues arise.

(This article is not available for syndication with partners.)