Apple is preparing for potentially the most extensive redesign of an iPhone ever, planning a “major shake-up” in time for the phone’s 20th anniversary in 2027, reports Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Among its most anticipated rumored features is a foldable iPhone, a product that has been said to have been in development for years. Though there had been previous rumors of a folding iPhone, current rumors indicate that Apple is now seriously poised to release a 2026 or 2027 model. The rumored foldable phone price has been estimated at between $2,000 and $2,500, which is in line with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series and targets a premium user base.
Yet another important shift arrives in the form of a new iPhone Pro model that utilizes even more glass to push Apple’s flagship brand further in luxury value. The outside transformation may not be nearly as sensational in the short run, but this all-glass strategy signifies Apple’s changing design philosophy.
But don’t look for revolutionary design changes before 2027. Gurman predicts that the iPhone 17 Pro, which is coming in 2025, will look very much like the iPhone 16 Pro in all but a few respects. The front will look much the same, and the back will receive a minor update, specifically, a new camera arrangement that takes up the entire width of the phone. Notably, the iPhone 17 Pro will depart from the current two-tone back design in favor of a single-color finish that unites the enlarged camera section and the phone’s balance.
Even with its familiar appearance, the iPhone 17 lineup, which may include a model called iPhone 17 Air, is expected to feature significant internal upgrades, though details are being kept under wraps for now.
Apple has reportedly faced a myriad of technical challenges in bringing the foldable iPhone to life. The Information has indicated that durability concerns set the initial 2025 timeline back to the more realistic 2026 or 2027. While Apple tends to lag in exploring new device categories, it tends to prioritize elegant design and functionality over being first to market.
As the iPhone marks two decades, Apple appears to be on the cusp of revolutionizing its most legendary device, seeking to merge state-of-the-art innovation with its classic minimalist style.
