Apple still plans glass-focused i Phone redesign for 2027, source says
Apple still plans to introduce a major, glass-centered redesign of the iPhone around the product’s 20th anniversary in 2027, according to people familiar with the matter. The information contradicts an earlier analyst report that said the project had been canceled. Apple is expected to introduce iPhone Pro models with a new glass-like design next year, the people said. The work remains confidential, so they requested anonymity. The two phones are known internally as V73 and V74. Their front and back panels will use glass, which will curve around the sides of the devices, while a metal band will remain in the middle. Apple’s design team previously pursued a more radical version that would have used additional glass in place of metal. That concept was abandoned at an early stage after Apple encountered difficulties reliably connecting the different glass panels. As the company studied how to manufacture the design at scale, it ultimately determined that the concept was not practical for production, according to one of the people. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs introduced the original iPhone in 2007. The technology company has continued working to give its flagship product a striking new appearance. Although the concept of an iPhone with a seamless, continuous-glass design has faced significant implementation challenges, Apple still expects to introduce an evolved version of the original idea next year that would offer a fresh look. An Apple representative declined to comment. One of the people said Apple’s product roadmap has not changed. That conflicts with a report published this week by Jefferies analyst Edison Lee. Lee previously cited a supply-chain survey in saying that Apple had canceled its all-glass iPhone project. He also downgraded Apple’s stock, arguing that canceling the design would hurt the company’s effort to introduce higher-priced smartphones. New iPhone designs are typically finalized about a year before the products are launched in the fall. That means Apple’s design for the 2027 iPhone has entered late-stage testing and is largely settled, although the plan could still change if currently unforeseen problems emerge. The iPhone is Apple’s largest source of revenue, accounting for about half of the company’s sales. Its recent growth has also outpaced that of Apple’s other businesses, with sales rising 22% last quarter. Apple hopes to extend that momentum with new iPhones scheduled for release next month. A new foldable model is expected to represent the biggest single change to the iPhone’s exterior design in the product’s history. Apple also plans to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, both of which will receive major camera upgrades. The company is also preparing a new deep-red color that it expects will attract considerable attention and discussion. Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the iPhone X in 2017 as a product marking the iPhone’s 10th anniversary.
Apple is expected to introduce iPhone Pro models with a new glass-like design next year, the people said. The work remains confidential, so they requested anonymity. The two phones are known internally as V73 and V74. Their front and back panels will use glass, which will curve around the sides of the devices, while a metal band will remain in the middle.
Apple’s design team previously pursued a more radical version that would have used additional glass in place of metal. That concept was abandoned at an early stage after Apple encountered difficulties reliably connecting the different glass panels. As the company studied how to manufacture the design at scale, it ultimately determined that the concept was not practical for production, according to one of the people.
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs introduced the original iPhone in 2007. The technology company has continued working to give its flagship product a striking new appearance. Although the concept of an iPhone with a seamless, continuous-glass design has faced significant implementation challenges, Apple still expects to introduce an evolved version of the original idea next year that would offer a fresh look.
An Apple representative declined to comment.
One of the people said Apple’s product roadmap has not changed. That conflicts with a report published this week by Jefferies analyst Edison Lee. Lee previously cited a supply-chain survey in saying that Apple had canceled its all-glass iPhone project. He also downgraded Apple’s stock, arguing that canceling the design would hurt the company’s effort to introduce higher-priced smartphones.
New iPhone designs are typically finalized about a year before the products are launched in the fall. That means Apple’s design for the 2027 iPhone has entered late-stage testing and is largely settled, although the plan could still change if currently unforeseen problems emerge.
The iPhone is Apple’s largest source of revenue, accounting for about half of the company’s sales. Its recent growth has also outpaced that of Apple’s other businesses, with sales rising 22% last quarter.
Apple hopes to extend that momentum with new iPhones scheduled for release next month. A new foldable model is expected to represent the biggest single change to the iPhone’s exterior design in the product’s history. Apple also plans to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, both of which will receive major camera upgrades. The company is also preparing a new deep-red color that it expects will attract considerable attention and discussion.
Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced the iPhone X in 2017 as a product marking the iPhone’s 10th anniversary.