In a surprising turn, Apple is reportedly planning to redesign the iPhone every year through 2027, signaling a phased transformation that will culminate in a completely uninterrupted, full-screen device.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Apple reportedly plans yearly iPhone redesigns through 2027, with major changes in hardware and screen design.
- iPhone 17 (2025) may introduce a horizontal rear camera layout which will be the first major shift since the iPhone 11 Pro.
- Subsequent removal of the Dynamic Island in favor of a punch-hole selfie camera with under-display Face ID, and more to follow.
- Raises the question: Is it worth upgrading every year, or should you wait until Apple completes the transformation?
Three Years of Big iPhone Changes Ahead, Starting From iPhone 17 Till iPhone 19… So Why Buy a New Model Before 2027?
If true, this means three straight generations of meaningful hardware updates which start with the iPhone 17. For Apple fans and upgrade-happy users, this brings an awkward question to the surface: why buy a new model now if the real iPhone of the future isn’t coming until 2027?
What’s Changing with the iPhone?
According to reliable Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple is prepping a multi-year redesign roadmap that tackles the iPhone from back to front:
- 2025 – iPhone 17: Apple’s redesign journey begins with the rear camera layout. Expect a horizontal, large matrix-style module which would be the first substantial change to the rear camera setup since the iPhone 11 Pro.
- 2026 – iPhone 18: The front of the iPhone gets its turn. The Dynamic Island will reportedly vanish, replaced by a single punch-hole camera. Meanwhile, the Face ID hardware will be hidden under the display in a move that brings Apple closer to its dream of a notch-free front.
- 2027 – iPhone 19: The big one. A true full-screen iPhone, no notches, no punch-holes, no distractions. Both the selfie cam and Face ID system will live entirely beneath the display, delivering a seamless, futuristic look that Apple has been inching toward for years. Interesting to note this is the same year Apple is reportedly planning to launch an all-glass, all-screen 20th Anniversary iPhone.
Related: watchOS 12 & tvOS 19 Redesign Unifies iPhone, Mac & Vision Pro Look
So… Why Upgrade Now?
Here’s the thing. As someone who follows Apple closely and tries not to upgrade impulsively, this roadmap makes me pause. Sure, we’ll get new chips, better cameras, and smarter software with each release, but the real transformation won’t arrive until 2027.
It’s not often Apple tips its hand about long-term design. If these leaks are legit, it feels like everything until 2027 will be iterative. Unless your current iPhone is on its last legs or missing a feature you absolutely need, you might want to sit tight and let Apple finish what it’s starting.
That said, we know how Apple works. These changes will almost certainly roll out to Pro models first, with standard iPhones catching up later. If you’re planning to wait for the “ultimate iPhone,” it might mean holding out until 2028 for the non-Pro lineup.
The 404 Take
Apple’s annual design overhaul plan is bold, and exciting. But it also makes every upgrade until 2027 feel like a stepping stone. However, throw in the iPhone 17 Air and it’s bound to trigger plenty of impulse upgrades, especially among those using older models of the iPhone.
Comments