Apple remains on track to launch a glass-centric iPhone redesign for the device’s 20th anniversary in 2027, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg. The upcoming devices will feature glass on the front and back that curves into the sides, sandwiched around a metal band, directly countering an earlier analyst report that claimed the project had been scrapped.
Production Plans and Internal Design Codewords
According to sources speaking with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple plans to introduce the new glassy look on iPhone Pro models in 2027. Internally, the devices carrying the design are designated as V73 and V74. Apple’s design studio initially pursued a more aspirational version that utilized even more glass and eliminated the metal band entirely, but that concept was abandoned early in development. Engineers encountered significant challenges connecting the glass panels together and failed to find a reliable way to manufacture that specific build at large volumes, sources said.
The confirmation pushes back against a report published earlier in the week by Jefferies analyst Edison Lee. According to The Irish Times, Lee told clients in a research note that supply chain checks indicated the all-glass iPhone project had been canceled, prompting a share price drop of up to 2.8 percent in New York trading. Bloomberg reported that Apple’s product roadmap remains unchanged, and new iPhone designs are typically finalized roughly a year prior to their fall release, putting the 2027 models well into advanced testing.
Broader Product Roadmap and Upcoming Releases
The iPhone remains Apple’s primary revenue driver, generating roughly half of the company’s total income and seeing sales climb 22% in the most recent quarter, according to Bloomberg. Ahead of the 20th-anniversary models, Apple’s immediate hardware pipeline includes major updates slated for release next month. These updates are expected to include a new foldable version—marking the most substantial visual change in the product’s history—alongside iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models featuring major camera improvements and a new dark red color option.
Additional hardware releases are scheduled for the spring, including the base-level iPhone 18, an update to the lower-budget 18e model, and a second-generation version of the ultrathin iPhone Air equipped with a second camera, an improved processor, and extended battery life. Beyond the smartphone lineup, Apple is developing smart glasses, camera-equipped AirPods, and other artificial intelligence-centric wearable and home devices under incoming chief executive John Ternus, who assumes the role on September 1st.
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