Key Takeaways
1. Apple plans to skip the iPhone 19 and launch the iPhone 20 in 2027 to celebrate the iPhone’s 20th anniversary.
2. The iPhone 18e and iPhone 20 will be released in the first half of 2027, followed by various iPhone 20 models and a second-generation iPhone Fold in the latter half.
3. A significant redesign is expected for the iPhone 20 series, featuring a thinner, curved glass design and under-display Face ID and camera sensors.
4. The change in Apple’s launch cycle may temporarily reduce iPhone display panel demand by around 20 million units in 2026.
5. The standard model will return with the iPhone 20 series, helping to restore overall panel demand, while total iPhone panel shipments are expected to exceed 250 million in 2027.
Apple is said to be planning to skip the iPhone 19 and jump straight to the iPhone 20 for its lineup in 2027, as per Omdia’s Senior Researcher, Heo Moo-Yeol.
Upcoming iPhone Models
During a conference in Seoul on October 22, Heo indicated that Apple aims to unveil the iPhone 18e and iPhone 20 in the first half of 2027. This will be followed in the latter half by the iPhone 20 Air, iPhone 20 Pro, iPhone 20 Pro Max, and the second-generation iPhone Fold.
Apple has usually kept its iPhone naming in order, like with the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17. However, Heo announced that the company is set to leap forward to the iPhone 20. Although he didn’t specify why, analysts believe this might celebrate the iPhone’s 20th anniversary, marking two decades since the first model’s launch in 2007.
Historical Context
In 2017, Apple took a similar step by bypassing the iPhone 9 to launch the iPhone X, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the original iPhone.
There are rumors that Apple is planning a significant redesign for its 2027 models to align with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary. The special edition is speculated to come with a thinner, curved glass design that features under-display Face ID and front camera sensors, resulting in a nearly flawless display. This would be the most considerable visual change since the iPhone X, which introduced the notch and OLED screen back in 2017.
Market Impact
Omdia predicts that this change in Apple’s launch cycle will cause a temporary drop in iPhone display panel demand by around 20 million units in 2026, as the iPhone 18 lineup will not include the standard model. Nevertheless, according to Apple’s updated production plans, the base iPhone 18, or whatever name it eventually has, is now likely to be released in early 2027, fitting with the company’s new staggered launch strategy. For next year, Apple is expected to release only the Air, Pro, Pro Max, and Fold versions. While Heo mentioned an “Air” model, recent reports have suggested that Apple is reducing production due to a decline in global smartphone demand, which makes introducing a new sub-variant less probable.
Heo mentioned that the standard model will be back with the iPhone 20 series in 2027, which should help restore overall panel demand to its usual levels. The first foldable iPhone, expected in 2026, is anticipated to ship over 8 million units in its first year. Even with this temporary decline, Apple’s total iPhone panel shipments—which are around 245 million units this year—are forecasted to stabilize and exceed 250 million once the company’s dual-launch strategy takes hold in 2027.
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