Apple’s future smartphone lineup may soon take an unexpected turn, with leaks suggesting a major naming shift that breaks from the company’s usual rhythm. Industry sources indicate that the tech giant could jump ahead in its numerical sequence, skipping a version entirely and heading straight toward a milestone that symbolises two decades of the iPhone’s evolution.
| Image credit: Apple
- Apple may skip the iPhone 19 and jump straight to the iPhone 20 for its 20th anniversary in 2027.
- The iPhone 20 could feature a seamless, bezel-free glass design that redefines Apple’s signature look.
- Apple’s 2026 lineup might skip the iPhone 18, introducing Air, Pro, and a foldable iPhone instead.
- The iPhone 20 series may launch in stages, with different models releasing across 2027 to sustain excitement.
- Apple’s rumored iPhone 20 shift could mark its boldest redesign and product strategy in years.
Apple’s future smartphone lineup may soon take an unexpected turn, with leaks suggesting a major naming shift that breaks from the company’s usual rhythm. Industry sources indicate that the tech giant could jump ahead in its numerical sequence, skipping a version entirely and heading straight toward a milestone that symbolises two decades of the iPhone’s evolution.
The anniversary year, 2027, is shaping up to be one of Apple’s most symbolic moments. Rather than following convention with an iPhone 19, the company is reportedly planning to debut the iPhone 20, positioning it as both a statement of heritage and a nod to the future. This move would mirror the leap Apple made a decade earlier when the iPhone X launched as the tenth-anniversary edition, radically shifting the device’s design language and setting a new template that endured for years.
Design rumours suggest that the iPhone 20 series could bring Apple closer to the long-discussed concept of a seamless slab of glass. The device is said to feature an edge-to-edge panel without bezels, with the front appearing as a single flowing surface. Subtle curvature and a refined chassis are expected to blend the display and frame in a way that redefines the visual identity of the iPhone.
Before reaching that anniversary release, however, Apple’s 2026 strategy may take an unconventional route. Reports claim the company could skip the standard iPhone 18 model entirely, instead launching Air and Pro versions, alongside the much-hyped foldable iPhone. This would mark Apple’s most experimental lineup yet, blurring the traditional boundaries of its product tiers.
The roadmap beyond that sees Apple introducing the iPhone 20 series in phases. The standard model and a more budget-friendly iPhone 18e could arrive in the first half of 2027, while the premium iPhone 20 Pro, Air, and the second-generation Fold are expected to headline a separate autumn event. These staggered releases suggest Apple may be redefining its yearly cadence to maintain excitement throughout the year, offering fans something new in both major launch windows.
If the speculation proves accurate, the iPhone’s twentieth year won’t just mark another cycle—it could represent Apple’s most daring reimagination of the smartphone experience to date, setting the tone for the decade to follow.