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While the internal components of Apple’s iPhones are updated annually, their fundamental size and shape have remained largely consistent. However, a recent report suggests the tech giant is developing a dramatically different design for a future iteration of its iconic handset.
Curved Glass iPhone: A Radical Redesign?
According to Apple insider Mark Gurman, the trillion-dollar tech firm is engineering a ‘mostly glass, curved iPhone.’ This device will reportedly feature a seamless display without any indentations, such as a notch or camera cutout. The purported launch date is timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone’s release on June 29, 2007.
Key Features of the Upcoming iPhone
Gurman stated in his Power On newsletter:
- Curved Design: A significant departure from the current flat-screen iPhones.
- All-Glass Construction: Utilizing glass extensively in the device’s structure.
- No Cutouts: Eliminating the notch or punch-hole for a truly edge-to-edge display.
This redesign is expected to mark a decade since the iPhone X, which ushered in the era of all-screen, glass-focused iPhone designs.
Apple’s Foldable iPhone: Joining the Foldable Revolution
Apple is also reportedly creating its first foldable iPhone, following the lead of competitors such as Samsung, Huawei, and Motorola.
Foldable iPhone Details
- Crease Reduction: Apple aims to minimize the visible crease typically associated with foldable displays.
- 2027 Launch: Anticipated release alongside the curved glass iPhone, marking a ‘monumental year’ for Apple devices.
Gurman suggests that the year 2027 will be a ‘monumental year’ for new Apple devices, signifying a renaissance in their product lineup.
A ‘lack of groundbreaking change’ in recent years has led to slower iPhone sales compared to previous periods, necessitating these innovative designs.
Other Products on Apple’s Horizon
Beyond the curved glass iPhone and foldable iPhone, Apple is rumored to be developing:
- Smart Glasses: Functioning similarly to Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses, expected by 2027.
- Foldable iPad/Mac Hybrid: A cross between a foldable iPad and a touch-screen Mac, potentially arriving in 2028.
The All-Glass iPhone: A Patent-Backed Concept
The concept of a predominantly glass smartphone is not entirely new. Apple has previously filed a patent for an all-glass smartphone featuring a continuous display across the front, back, and sides.
Patent Highlights:
- Single Slab of Glass: Describes a device with displays on both the front and back.
- Touchscreen Edges: Includes touchscreen buttons on the curved edges.
Former Apple designer Jony Ive, who played a crucial role in developing iconic products like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, has long expressed interest in an all-glass iPhone.
Ive, who worked for Apple from 1992 to 2019, reportedly viewed “big pieces of glass” as an obsession, evident in the design of Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, which features enormous curved glass walls.
Future iPhone Releases: iPhone 17 and Beyond
Before the ‘mostly-glass’ iPhone arrives, Apple is expected to release the iPhone 17 (in 2025) and iPhone 18 (in 2026).
iPhone 17 Rumors:
- Rectangular Camera Bars: Design reminiscent of Google’s Pixel phones.
- iPhone 17 Air/Slim: A lighter, thinner model with less powerful internal hardware.
- Portless Design: Apple is considering eliminating USB-C ports in favor of portless iPhones.