Imagine an iPhone with a screen that stretches from edge to edge, a seamless, futuristic vision. That's the dream Apple has been chasing for years, especially with the highly anticipated 20th-anniversary iPhone in 2027. But hold on – is this all-screen utopia actually going to happen? New reports are casting serious doubt on whether Apple can deliver on that promise for its big anniversary.
Back in May 2025, Bloomberg's very own Mark Gurman, who has a solid track record when it comes to Apple scoops, suggested Apple was aiming for a completely glass device, a sleek marvel "without any cutouts in the display." It sounded incredible, right? But here's where it gets controversial... Ross Young, a well-respected display industry analyst, has recently thrown a wrench into the works, suggesting that the all-screen iPhone may not be ready by 2027 after all.
Young took to X (formerly Twitter) to clarify comments he made last June. He believes that the smaller Dynamic Island, which is rumored to debut in the iPhone 18 Pro models this fall, is likely to stick around through 2027. The Dynamic Island, remember, is that pill-shaped cutout at the top of the iPhone screen that houses the front-facing camera and Face ID sensors.
And this is the part most people miss... When pressed for further details, Young went even further. He now anticipates that the 2028 iPhone Pro models will still feature a centered hole-punch cutout – essentially a smaller version of the Dynamic Island – rather than a true, uninterrupted all-screen design. So, when can we expect the notch-free iPhone? Young's roadmap from June 2025 suggests we won't see a fully all-screen iPhone until 2030. That's quite a wait!
So, what does this mean for the 20th-anniversary iPhone? If Young is right, Gurman might have to rethink his predictions. But before we write off the all-screen iPhone entirely, let's consider a few possibilities.
One possibility is that Young's information isn't completely up to date. The tech world moves at lightning speed, and supply chain timelines are constantly shifting. Apple might have made more progress than Young's sources indicate in moving the Face ID components and the front-facing selfie camera under the display. It's a complex engineering challenge, but Apple has surprised us before.
Alternatively, and this is where things get interesting, Apple could be working on a special, premium 20th-anniversary model that sits above the iPhone Pro tier. Think back to 2017, when Apple unveiled the iPhone X alongside the iPhone 8. Perhaps Apple could follow a similar strategy, debuting the all-screen design on this ultra-premium model, while the standard Pro models retain the smaller Dynamic Island. This would allow Apple to showcase its cutting-edge technology without immediately rolling it out across the entire iPhone lineup.
Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max this September. The 20th-anniversary iPhone – in whatever form it ultimately takes – is expected to arrive in the fall of 2027.
Popular Stories
- New, Higher End AirPods Pro Coming This Year: Reports suggest Apple is planning a high-end secondary version of AirPods Pro 3 this year, sitting in the lineup alongside the current model.
- iPhone 18 Pro Leak: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Top-Left Camera Cutout: New details suggest the iPhone 18 Pro will feature a smaller Dynamic Island and no top-left camera cutout.
- iOS 27 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone: Rumors are already circulating about new features coming to iOS 27, including improvements focusing on stability and core functionality.
- MacBook Pro Buyers Now Facing Up to a Two-Month Wait Ahead of New Models: MacBook Pro availability is tightening, with some configurations facing significant shipping delays ahead of new models.
- Apple Expected to Unveil Five All-New Products This Year: Apple is expected to unveil five all-new products this year, including a smart home hub, a Face ID doorbell, a MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, a foldable iPhone, and augmented reality glasses.
So, what do you think? Will Apple manage to pull off the all-screen iPhone by 2027? Or will the Dynamic Island (or some variation of it) be sticking around for a while longer? And if Apple does release a special 20th-anniversary model, would you be willing to pay a premium for the all-screen experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
