There are reports that in order to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the launch of the iPhone in 2027, Apple is planning a major appearance innovation, with the goal of creating an "all-glass, true full-screen" device without any openings on the front. However, the latest industry chain news shows that the prospect of this idea is being poured cold water on.
Ross Young, a well-known display industry analyst and former vice president of Counterpoint Research, recently posted on the social platform
In subsequent interactions with netizens, Young further stated that he still believes that the 2028 iPhone Pro models will adopt a front-facing hole solution with a centered punch hole. This hole is also expected to be integrated in a reduced version of the "Smart Island" area, rather than completely canceling the front camera and Face ID module openings to truly achieve a pure front screen. Citing a roadmap he shared in June 2025, he said that a "true full-screen iPhone" with no bangs and no punch-holes would most likely not be released until around 2030.
If Young's prediction comes true, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman's earlier statement that "Apple will launch a 20th anniversary iPhone without any screen openings in 2027" may need to be revised. Of course, it is not ruled out that Young’s supply chain information is lagging behind, because the mass production schedule of key components is often adjusted, and Apple may have made more progress than expected in moving the Face ID components and front-facing camera under the screen.
Another possibility is that Apple is developing a "commemorative flagship" that is higher than the Pro series, and its positioning is similar to the iPhone X that debuted on the same stage as the iPhone 8: the latter debuted a notch full-screen design in 2017, while the regular Pro series did not officially debut until the iPhone 11 Pro / Pro Max in 2019. If a similar strategy is adopted, Apple has the opportunity to launch a true full-screen solution with an exclusive 20th anniversary model in 2027, while the standard Pro model in the same period will continue to use a smaller version of Smart Island.
At the current time point, Apple is expected to release iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September this year. One of the key changes is the further shrinkage and layout adjustment of the front panel opening. As for what product line positioning the 20th anniversary iPhone will adopt in 2027, and whether it can truly achieve the "full-screen design without any openings", it remains to be further verified by supply chain progress and Apple's final product strategy in the next few years.