Apple is preparing a radical visual overhaul for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary in 2027,according to a newly leaked physical component.Prominent tech tipster Ice Universe recently shared video footage of an approved “3D quad-curved” cover glass sample,offering the clearest indication yet of Apple’s ambitions for a borderless smartphone.
To mark two decades since the launch of the original iPhone,Apple is widely expected to skip the “iPhone 19” moniker entirely, jumping straight to the iPhone 20 series.
The ‘Glass-Forward’ Redesign
The leaked glass sample curves downward on all four edges and features rounded corners, creating a continuous slope intended to mask the device’s metal mid-frame. This aligns with long-standing industry rumors of a seamless, all-glass aesthetic. Additionally, the physical sample displays noticeably shrunken cutouts for the front-facing camera and Face ID array, maximizing the available screen real estate.
https://x.com/UniverseIce/status/2121454454579122362
Internally, the Pro and Pro Max variants driving this redesign are reportedly operating under the codenames V73 and V74.
Larger Canvases and Upgraded Panels
If the quad-curved design reaches mass production, it will likely be paired with a significant bump in physical dimensions—the first meaningful size increase for the Pro lineup since 2024. Supply chain whispers suggest the standard iPhone 20 Pro could expand to a 6.41-inch display, while the Pro Max model may stretch to an imposing 6.96 inches. To complement the new curved geometry, Apple is reportedly sourcing thinner, brighter OLED panels from Samsung.
Durability and Industry Trends
Seeing a physical cover-glass sample a year ahead of a potential 2027 launch fits Apple’s standard hardware validation timeline. However, the design is not necessarily locked in. Apple has historically scrapped highly ambitious glass enclosures late in the development cycle if they failed to meet internal drop-test and durability standards.
There is also a layer of industry irony to the leak. Android manufacturers popularized—and subsequently abandoned—curved displays over the past decade due to durability concerns and accidental touch inputs. Whether Apple has engineered a solution to these historical pitfalls remains to be seen, but this early component proves the company is exploring a bold departure from its current flat-edged industrial design to celebrate its milestone anniversary.
