Apple is on the verge of announcing iOS 26, and we are expecting quite a bit from the update, given that it will be the biggest one since iOS 7. It appears iOS 26 will have a deeper impact not just on the current products but also on the 20th anniversary iPhone at a more hardware level. The most immediate change that you will notice is the new glass-like effect inspired by visionOS, and it could give us an idea of how the company will move forward with the design of its products in the future.
iOS 26’s ‘Liquid Glass’ design update will influence the hardware and user experience of the 20th Anniversary iPhone
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman writes in a new report that the new ‘Liquid Glass’ overhaul of iOS 26 will freshen up the look and feel of the current models as well as the products that the company has planned for later, including the 20th anniversary iPhone. We have previously reported that the 2027 iPhone will be a stepping stone toward the future of the iPhone, as it will direct Apple toward an all-glass iPhone.
The 20th-anniversary iPhone is expected to feature curved glass on the front, which will melt on all four sides of the device. Samsung’s original Galaxy Edge handset gives us an idea of how this will be achieved, but the true implementation remains a mystery at this point. The report claims that the 2027 iPhone’s new design will dispense with the cutout on the front for a more seamless user experience, with sensors situated under the display. Since the display will feature curved glass, the bezels on the device will be nowhere to be seen, hinting at a new chassis that will bind the device from within.
The 20th anniversary iPhone is codenamed “Glasswing,” which refers to a specific type of butterfly with translucent wings. As mentioned, iOS 26 will be a step in the right direction to achieve that goal, and there will be a plethora of hints within iOS 26 that will detail what the next big iPhone redesign will be like. What this means is that iOS 26 will not just be another glow-up but will also influence the hardware design of the 20th-anniversary iPhone.
There are bound to be numerous glass effects with new transitions and animations that will open doors for hardware-level changes. These elements will transition and make their way to the 2027 iPhone, where the hardware will complement the software. Apple also plans to launch the iPhone Fold in 2026, which will utilize iOS 26’s transparent glass-like elements. As for now, we will be covering the WWDC 2025 event in extensive detail, so be sure to keep an eye out.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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