For his iPhone 20th anniversary, Apple reportedly took two commemorative measures. First, it skips the 19 moniker. Second, it brings back the curved screen design that Android makers have mostly abandoned. A new leak offers a glimpse of what the 2027 flagship could look like.
First look
The 2027 models are expected to get a major glass-centric redesign, with glass front and rear. The material will curve at the sides, effectively hiding the metal strip in the middle. Leaker Ice Universe recently posted a video of the “3D quad-curved” cover glass sample. A protective glass is the layer of glass covering the front of the device.
As rumored, the edges curve toward the frame on all four sides. The corners are rounded and the cutouts for Face ID and the front camera appear smaller.
Other smartphone brands: “We just finished moving from curved to flat screens, and now you’re bringing back curved screens?!”
Apple, you are so annoying! https://t.co/4GLjfLNtEY
– Universe of Ice (@UniverseIce) November 14, 2026
A glassy design
The iPhone 20 Pro could abandon the flat screen of its predecessor. | Image from Ice Universe
Internally, the successors of The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will reportedly be codenamed V73 and V74, respectively.
Apple typically finalizes the design of a new iPhone a year before its launch. So it’s no surprise that a protective glass sample appeared so soon after launch. iPhone 18 Proliberation.
This does not guarantee that this design will be retained, however, as hiccups in the advanced testing phase could still force Apple to change course. After all, the company previously abandoned a more ambitious design with even more glass after it failed in testing.
Why is Apple getting into this?
The iconic iPhone A symmetrical curvature on all four sides would create a more immersive visual experience and give a frameless look to the 2027 variants. The design could be complemented by a glossier and thinner design. OLED panel made by Samsung. The new look has been in the works for a long time, with the liquid glass interface that debuted last year paving the way for it.
THE The 2027 models could also mark the first increase in screen size since 2024, with the iPhone 20 Pro going from 6.27 inches to 6.41 inches and the Pro Max going from 6.86 inches to 6.96 inches.
Android: been there, done that
For a while, curved screens were all the rage in the Android world. Invented by Samsung, edge-to-edge curved screens give phones a sleek look and smooth feel, but that’s where their appeal ends. They were a constant source of frustration, with accidental touches and distracting glances ruining the experience. The curved glass also caused screen protectors to peel off over time, which kept users on edge given how curved screens are much more fragile than flat screens. That’s why most Android companies started to abandon this trend around 2020.
The glass-focused iPhone 20 will undoubtedly make a splash, but it remains to be seen whether Apple can achieve a subtle, practical curve that doesn’t get in the way of everyday use.
What else could be new on the iPhone 20 Pro:
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