In 2027 the iPhone will be twenty years old and it is expected that Apple will celebrate this milestone with a special, revolutionary device: the iPhone XX. Just like with the iPhone X for the tenth birthday, this device promises to bring a lot of renewal.
It promises to be one of the ambitious and progressive smartphones in the history of Apple. The development of this device, internally referred to as ‘Glasswing’, goes back on the visionary design of Jony Ive and implements the concept of the smartphone as a “glass plate” to the extreme.
Completely new design
Apple would according to the rumor The iPhone XX want to provide a new, radical design that almost completely consists of glass. The front and back flow into each other without visible transitions or an aluminum frame. The design has rounded edges and a screen that curls over the sides, which ensures a unique borderless user experience. There are no visible seams or corners, which makes the iPhone look like one whole, which fits perfectly with Apple’s image of minimalist and elegant products.
To make this possible, new techniques are being developed for forming glass, whereby both sustainability and comfort are given priority. The name ‘Glasswing’ ‘inspired by a butterfly with transparent wings, underlines the striving for a light, luxurious appearance.
Firmness of glass design
It is still uncertain how the complete glass design will influence the firmness of the device. Currently, materials such as aluminum, titanium or stainless steel ensure extra protection: this housing often absorbs the impact when a device falls. When the iPhone XX is completely made of glass, this can have consequences for the robustness of the device.
For the time being, it remains unclear which innovative solutions Apple will apply to guarantee build quality and sustainability. Perhaps Apple will opt for a ‘hidden’ frame where the glass and display is wrapped around.
Display without screen edges
The most important innovation is in the display. This screen not only extends completely over the front, but also wraps around the edges, which means that traditional bezels, notches or cuts for cameras are definitely a thing of the past. All primary sensors for Face ID, ambient light and the selfie camera, are processed under the OLED screen. This allows Apple to offer a really continuous and complete display experience for the first time.
Liquid Glass as a taste
With the introduction of iOS 26’s ‘Liquid Glass’ interface, we already get an impression of what we can expect from an iPhone that consists largely of glass. With the iPhone XX, the new iOS design will fit even better with the hardware of the iPhone. As a result, hardware and software will be even better coordinated and overflow into each other.
Advanced Solid-State battery
According to the website, Apple is investigating the introduction of an innovative battery technology to considerably extend the useful life of the iPhone. The company would have plans to use completely silicon in the production of so-called Solid-State batteries.
Solid-State batteries are rechargeable batteries that use a solid substance as electrolyte instead of a liquid or gel. This makes the battery safer and more compact, and less sensitive to overheating or leaks. Solid-State batteries can store more energy in the same size, which means that devices last longer on one load.
This technology, which has been developing for some time, is slowly starting to enter the market. Such an innovation could cause the battery performance of the iPhone to get a serious impulse.
Exclusivity and when expected
Apple will probably position the iPhone XX as an exclusive premium model, in line with earlier anniversary versions such as the iPhone X. The production costs will be above average due to the innovative glass production methods and the high-end components. It is therefore expected that the price will be significantly higher than the regular iPhone. The anniversary edition of the iPhone is expected in the autumn of 2027.