This morning, it was reported that Apple is developing a “mostly glass, curved iPhone” with no display cutouts, expected to launch in 2027, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the iPhone. This follows a recent article indicating that at least one model in 2027 will have the front-facing camera positioned beneath the screen, allowing for a true edge-to-edge display.
Additionally, a report from late last year noted that Apple is collaborating with display partners to create a bezel-less iPhone, though it won’t feature a display that curves down the sides like those from Samsung and Vivo. The description of the “mostly glass, curved” design raises questions about its meaning. For reference, the iPhone 15 Pro on my desk could also be labeled “mostly glass,” as the only visible metal is around the camera lenses and its titanium edge, which curves at both the front and back. Unless envisioning a banana-shaped iPhone, clues might be found in Apple’s patents over the years, including one from 2019 that depicts a phone encased in glass forming a “continuous loop” around the device.
Beyond the evolving iPhone design, 2027 is anticipated to be a significant year for Apple. Reports suggest that the first foldable iPhone will debut that year, alongside the company’s first smart glasses aimed to compete with Meta Ray-Bans. There are also expectations for camera-equipped AirPods and new Apple Watches. Furthermore, it is proposed that Apple’s home robot—a tabletop device featuring “an AI assistant with its own personality”—could launch in 2027. This reference to “personality” brings to mind the charming robotic lamp that Apple’s internal researchers have been developing.
Lastly, by 2027, Apple may introduce an LLM-powered Siri and could develop new chips for server-side AI processing. A December report highlighted this development, suggesting that the team responsible for Apple’s new AI chips is the same Israel-based group that played a key role in designing the Apple silicon chips that allowed the company to move away from Intel chips for its Macs in 2020.
