Apple is already working on one of its most ambitious projects ever: a 20th-anniversary iPhone that promises to mark a turning point in mobile design and technology. According to renowned Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, the company plans to make a “radical overhaul” to its iPhone lineup in 2027 to celebrate two decades since the launch of the original model, with some new features you may have been waiting for.
According to the report, Apple plans to manufacture these special devices in China, despite its recent efforts to move some of its production to India. The reason is simple: the new models will be “extraordinarily complex,” both in terms of parts and manufacturing processes, and will require the highly specialized expertise and infrastructure that only production plants in China currently offer.
What can we expect from the 20th anniversary iPhone?
Gurman notes that Apple is working on two very important devices for 2027:
- A foldable iPhone, which would adopt a book-like design, folding horizontally and revealing an internal screen comparable in size to an iPad mini. This model is expected to have a premium price tag that could exceed $2,000.
- A new iPhone Pro with a redesigned design, which would incorporate a design based on greater use of glass, with the goal of achieving a full-screen appearance and possibly integrating an under-display camera, completely eliminating any type of notch or dynamic island. In fact, we already told you about this last bit a few days ago .
Although details are still limited and vague, everything points to these devices representing a major leap forward in terms of design and functionality , following Apple’s tradition of introducing new versions on important anniversaries (as it did with the iPhone X in 2017).
Why will they be made in China?
While Apple has accelerated its strategy to diversify its production and plans to manufacture all US-destined iPhones in India by the end of 2026, the case for the 20th anniversary models will be different.
According to Gurman, Apple has never launched a completely new product outside of China in its first product lifecycle, and that doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon. The complexity of these devices, with new materials, assembly processes, and advanced technologies, makes it essential to maintain production in Chinese factories, which are already adequately equipped to face these types of challenges.
With these moves, Apple not only seeks to commemorate two decades of innovation but also to lay the groundwork for what the iPhone of the future will look like: more flexible devices, with fully immersive displays and new ways for users to interact. Although the official launch in 2027 is still a long way off, rumors already predict that this 20th anniversary will be one of the most important milestones in Apple’s history.
