Apple is planning a radical redesign of the iPhone for 2027: For the 20th anniversary, a model with a borderless display and invisible front camera should appear. The group wants to set new standards – but this harbors considerable technical challenges.
Anniversary iPhone is said to have revolutionary design
Apple will launch at least one iPhone model with a completely borderless display in 2027. The front camera and the Face ID system should disappear under the screen and are no longer visible to users. The technology group is planning a new design direction that is supposed to realize the long -term vision of the former design manager Jony IVE. Ive dreamed of creating an iPhone from a single, consistent glass piece – a concept that could now become a reality for the 20th anniversary of the iPhone.
According to Bloombergs Power-on newsletter are the planned anniversary models “extraordinarily complex” in the manufacture. They require new components and production techniques that can probably only be realized in China by 2027. Manufacturing is a significant challenge for Apple’s production chain.
The implementation of such a device presents Apple with considerable technical hurdles. In particular, the face ID sensors who work with infrared light have to work reliably through the display layers. This is difficult with current OLED and LCD technologies because they can sprinkle or absorb infrared signals. Apple must therefore develop new display technologies or significantly improve existing ones to ensure the reliability of facial recognition. At the same time, the image quality of the front camera hidden under the display must not be affected – a balance that no manufacturer has really mastered.
More for the anniversary year 2027
In addition to the glass iPhone, Apple is also planning the second generation of its foldable iPhone for 2027. The first version is scheduled to come onto the market next year, which would be a significant expansion of the iPhone portfolio. The group also works on versions of the Apple Watch and AirPods with integrated cameras.
A special chip with the code name “Nevis” has already been developed for the smartwatch, while a chip called “Glennie” is to be used for the Airpods. The year 2027 marks an important milestone for Apple, as the iPhone then celebrates its 20th anniversary. The first iPhone was introduced in 2007 and fundamentally revolutionized the smartphone market.
