Apple is reportedly planning a dramatic redesign for its 2027 flagship smartphone to commemorate the iPhone's 20th anniversary. The iPhone 19 Pro is expected to feature groundbreaking technology that could represent the most significant design change since the iPhone X debuted in 2017, according to recent reports from Bloomberg and South Korea's ETNews.
The All-Glass Revolution
The iPhone 19 Pro is set to feature what industry insiders describe as a four-sided bending display that effectively eliminates visible bezels. This innovative design would relocate the bezels to the sides of the device, creating the illusion of a single piece of glass when viewed from the front. Apple is reportedly in discussions with both Samsung Display and LG Display to develop these bezel-less panels, which would achieve a near-100% screen-to-body ratio. The curved glass design represents a significant departure from the flat-edged aesthetic that has dominated recent iPhone generations.
Under-Display Technology Advancement
Perhaps the most visually striking change will be the complete elimination of the display cutout or notch that has been a characteristic feature of iPhones since 2017. According to sources, Apple plans to implement under-display (UD) camera technology for the first time, hiding both the selfie camera and Face ID sensors beneath the screen. This technological leap would follow the gradual reduction of the notch to a smaller Dynamic Island punch-hole in recent models, finally achieving the seamless display that many users have long desired.
Revolutionary Battery Technology
Beyond its visual transformation, the iPhone 19 Pro may introduce revolutionary battery technology. Reports suggest Apple is developing a solid-state battery with an all-silicon cathode, which would replace the carbon-based cathodes used in current silicon-carbon cells. Current batteries typically contain less than 20% silicon, making this potential 100% silicon battery a significant advancement. If implemented successfully, this technology could dramatically improve energy density, enabling either substantially longer battery life or a much thinner device profile without sacrificing power capacity.
Display Technology Improvements
The technical specifications of the display also suggest significant advancements. The iPhone 19 Pro is rumored to employ an updated FinFET-based OLED driving chip fabricated using a 16nm process, a substantial improvement over the 28nm planar process used in current iPhone models. This upgrade would likely enhance display performance while improving power efficiency.
Design Philosophy Evolution
This radical redesign appears to align with Apple's long-rumored ambition to create a completely seamless device. Similar to a concept device showcased by Xiaomi in 2021, the iPhone 19 Pro might eliminate not just display interruptions but potentially physical buttons and ports as well. This would represent the culmination of Apple's minimalist design philosophy that began with the removal of the home button and headphone jack years ago.
Expected iPhone 19 Pro Features (2027)
- Four-sided bending display with near-100% screen-to-body ratio
- Under-display camera and Face ID sensors
- Solid-state battery with all-silicon cathode
- FinFET-based OLED driving chip (16nm process vs current 28nm)
- Possible elimination of physical buttons and ports
Timeline and Context
While the iPhone 19 Pro's release is still approximately two years away, its development represents a significant milestone in Apple's product roadmap. The company appears to be planning more incremental updates for the iPhone 17 and 18 series before unveiling this revolutionary design to celebrate the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027. This pattern of saving major redesigns for anniversary models echoes Apple's approach with the iPhone X, which marked the device's 10th anniversary with a complete design overhaul.
iPhone Release Timeline
- iPhone 16 Pro (2024): Minor design tweaks, larger camera modules
- iPhone 17 Pro (2025): Incremental updates expected
- iPhone 18 Pro (2026): Rumored punch-hole display
- iPhone 19 Pro (2027): Major redesign for 20th anniversary
Cautionary Perspective
It's worth noting that these reports emerge very early in the development cycle, and Apple's plans could evolve significantly before the device's eventual release. The technical challenges of implementing a true all-glass design with under-display cameras and revolutionary battery technology are substantial. While Apple has a history of pushing technological boundaries, some of these features—particularly the 100% silicon battery—represent ambitious goals that may require further refinement before reaching consumers.