The past couple iPhone launches havefelt stagnant. Since the release of theiPhone 12 seriesin 2020, the iPhone’s signature design has remained largely unchanged. Aside from a few additions like USB-C, Dynamic Island, theAction Button, and the Camera Control Button, the look and feel of the iPhone hasn’t evolved much since Apple showed off its new flat design in 2020.
If you’ve been patiently looking forward to Apple finally changing the design of the iPhone, it is on the horizon, but you might have to wait a bit longer.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
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4First foldable iPhone
It could be Apple’s most expensive iPhone ever
For years, there has been speculation that Apple has been working on itsfirst foldable iPhone, and based on recent reports, this speculation is seemingly becoming more of a reality. Mark Gurman reports that the foldable iPhone is the first part of Apple’s 20th anniversary “initiatives” for the iPhone, and that it “should be on the market by 2027.” Gurman also adds that compared to other foldables on the market, the crease in the center of the phone is expected to be “nearly invisible.”
For some additional background on the foldable iPhone, reputable Apple supply chain analystMing-Chi Kuoreported back in March that Apple’s foldable could have a 5.5-inch outer display, a 7.8-inch inner display, and measure between 4.5mm and 4.8mm thick when unfolded. Due to its slim design, Kuo expects Apple not to implement Face ID on it and instead use Touch ID on a side button. Notably, Kuo said the foldable iPhone will be a “top-tier iPhone” and cost between $2,000 to $2,500, making it the most expensive iPhone ever.
The release date for Apple’s foldable iPhone appears to be uncertain.The Informationrecently reported that Apple plans to shake up its iPhone release schedule in 2026, with the Cupertino-based company releasing the iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone in the fall of 2026 (presumably in September). Gurman says “by 2027,” so it’s possible the foldable iPhone could arrive in late 2026 or early 2027.
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320th anniversary iPhone
A “bold” new iPhone
The second part of Apple’s major plans for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary is a new iPhone Pro design dubbed the20th anniversary iPhone. Gurman first reported on this back in April, stating that it was a “bold new Pro model that makes more extensive use of glass.” Gurman now describes it as a “mostly glass, curved iPhone – without any cutouts in the display.” It seems that Apple is fully committed to using a lot of glass for the phone.
A lot of mystery still surrounds the 20th anniversary iPhone. Aside from it being a pro model and making “extensive use” of glass, not much else is known about it. The phone is still two years away, so there will likely be much more to discuss in the months and years to come from the rumor mill.
The 20th anniversary iPhone also marks the 10-year anniversary of theiPhone X, which was Apple’s first all-screen iPhone. The difference between the first iPhone in 2007 and the iPhone X in 2017 was already quite stark, and I expect the 20th anniversary iPhone in 2027 to have a similar impact.
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2Apple smart glasses
Apple is working on a competitor to the Meta Ray-Bans
The next big ticket item from Apple, part of its so-called “product renaissance,” is its first pair of smart glasses.Apple’s smart glassesare expected to be a direct competitor to Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses and are slated for release in 2027. Gurman reports that “the product will operate similarly to the popular Meta Ray-Bans, letting Apple leverage its expertise in audio, miniaturization, and design.”
Apple is reportedly planning to manufacture a new dedicated chip for the device, which makes sense given how tiny the chipset would need to be to fit into the frames of the glasses. Apple’s smart glasses are said to heavily utilize Apple Intelligence and incorporate built-in cameras to analyze the wearer’s environment and “feed information” to them about it, similar to Visual Intelligence.
Apple CEO Tim Cook’s “grand vision” for Apple is reportedly to one day release “true augmented reality glasses.” While Apple’s first iteration of smart glasses isn’t expected to be a true AR device, it serves as a stepping stone towards that goal.
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1Apple Intelligence upgrades
Siri could be powered by LLMs in 2027
The final phase of Apple’s “product renaissance” in 2027 involves upgrades to Apple Intelligence. Gurman reports that Apple will upgrade its AI servers with “powerful new chips” that should enhance the user experience across the board. Most significantly, by 2027, Siri could possess all-new generative AI capabilities, thanks to Apple “shifting to a version of its Siri digital assistant that relies on large language models.”
Gurman states that by having Siri rely on large language models (LLMs), it should provide Apple’s digital assistant with a more “conversational user interface,” presumably similar to what Google already haswith Gemini. Earlier this year, Apple delayed Siri’s “more personalized” features, including on-screen awareness, until later “in the coming year,” with Apple saying, “it’s going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features.” Additionally, Apple has plans to make new robotic products, including a “tabletop machine with a robotic arm” using its AI technology.
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