Apple’s iPhone 20 is widely expected to arrive in 2027 as a special anniversary model, marking 20 years since the original iPhone debuted in 2007. Early rumors painted a bold picture: Apple pushing toward a truly all-screen iPhone with a seamless “slab of glass” look, powered by under-display Face ID and an under-display selfie camera. Some leaks even suggested a dramatic bezel-free, waterfall-style display where all four sides curve into the frame for an ultra-futuristic feel.
But a new tip suggests that vision may be harder to achieve than expected.
A well-known Weibo tipster, Fixed Focus Digital, claims Apple’s progress with under-display sensor technology hasn’t been smooth. In other words, hiding complex components like Face ID beneath the screen is still proving difficult. If that’s accurate, it could mean Apple is still a long way from delivering a true full-screen iPhone with no visible cutouts.
What does that mean for the iPhone 20 design? Potentially, a less radical exterior than many had hoped. The idea of an iPhone 20 with no notch, no pill, and no visible interruptions may depend on breakthroughs Apple hasn’t locked in yet. Without reliable under-display performance—especially for the depth and infrared systems Face ID relies on—Apple may have to stick with a more familiar approach.
This report also has implications for the road leading up to 2027. Previous expectations suggested the iPhone 18 Pro models could be the first to shrink the Dynamic Island by moving Face ID under the display, leaving only a smaller cutout for the front camera. However, if Apple is still struggling with under-display sensors, that change might not happen either. Instead of a smaller Dynamic Island, the iPhone 18 Pro lineup could retain a similar front design to recent models.
Adding more weight to that possibility, another Weibo tipster, Digital Chat Station, recently indicated that the iPhone 18 Pro models may keep the same overall chassis, camera styling, and Dynamic Island design as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Taken together, these leaks point to Apple potentially prioritizing refinement and reliability over a major visual overhaul—at least until the under-display technology is ready.
For now, the big question is whether Apple can solve the technical hurdles in time for its 2027 iPhone anniversary release. A truly uninterrupted, all-screen iPhone remains one of the most anticipated design shifts in smartphone history—but it may take longer to arrive than the rumor mill originally suggested.
