Apple expected to debut iPhone 20 in 2027 with panel shipments rebounding to 250 million
Apple is reportedly planning to name its 2027 iPhone lineup iPhone 20, skipping the natural successor iPhone 19, according to Omdia Senior Researcher Heo Moo-Yeol.
At a conference held in Seoul on October 22, Heo said Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18e and iPhone 20 in the first half of 2027, followed by the iPhone 20 Air, iPhone 20 Pro, iPhone 20 Pro Max, and the second-generation iPhone Fold in the latter half of the year.
Apple has consistently named its annual iPhone releases in sequence, such as iPhone 16 and iPhone 17, but Heo revealed that the company plans to jump ahead to iPhone 20. While he did not explain the reasoning behind the change, analysts suggest it could mark the iPhone’s 20th anniversary, symbolising two decades since the original model debuted in 2007.
Apple made a similar move in 2017 when it skipped the iPhone 9 and introduced the iPhone X to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the first iPhone.
iPhone 20: A 20th anniversary design refresh
According to reports, Apple may be preparing a major design overhaul for its 2027 models to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the iPhone. The anniversary edition is rumoured to feature a slimmer, curved glass design with under-display Face ID and front camera sensors, creating a near-seamless display. This would represent the biggest visual change since the iPhone X, which introduced the notch and OLED panel in 2017.
Apple adjusts iPhone production cycle ahead of iPhone 20 launch
Omdia forecasts that Apple’s shift in its release cycle will temporarily reduce iPhone display panel demand by about 20 million units in 2026, as the iPhone 18 line-up will reportedly skip the standard model. However, based on Apple’s revised production roadmap, the base iPhone 18, or whatever name it ultimately takes, is now expected to debut in early 2027, aligning with the company’s new split-launch strategy. Instead, Apple is expected to launch only Air, Pro, Pro Max, and Fold variants next year. While Heo’s projection included an “Air” model, recent reports indicate Apple is scaling back production amid softening global smartphone demand, making the launch of a new sub-variant less likely.
Heo added that the standard model will return with the iPhone 20 series in 2027, bringing overall panel demand back to normal levels. The first foldable iPhone, scheduled for 2026, is projected to ship over 8 million units in its debut year. Despite this temporary dip, Apple’s total iPhone panel shipments, approximately 245 million units this year, are expected to recover to more than 250 million once the company’s dual-launch strategy stabilises in 2027.
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