Apple said to skip over ‘iPhone 19’ directly to ‘iPhone 20’ for 20th anniversary debut

In a bold move to celebrate two decades of smartphone innovation, Apple is poised to bypass the anticipated “iPhone 19” branding and leap directly to the “iPhone 20” in 2027, according to leading market research firm Omdia. This strategic pivot signals a major refresh in Apple’s product lineup and release cadence, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone’s debut in June 2007.
Reports by ETNews, the forecast was unveiled during a recent industry conference at Seoul’s L Tower, where Huh Moo-yeol, a senior researcher at Omdia, outlined Apple’s ambitious roadmap. Speaking to a packed audience of tech executives and analysts, Huh revealed that the company plans a dual-wave launch in 2027: the iPhone 18e and base-model iPhone 20 in the first half of the year, followed by the premium iPhone 20 Air, iPhone 20 Pro, iPhone 20 Pro Max, and the second-generation iPhone Fold in the latter half.
“This isn’t just a numbering tweak — it’s a full reset,” Huh explained, emphasizing Apple’s intent to synchronize the relaunch with its historic milestone. While Huh did not delve into specific motivations during the presentation, industry observers point to Apple’s precedent of marking anniversaries with memorable nomenclature. In 2017, for the iPhone’s 10th birthday, the tech giant introduced the “iPhone X” — skipping “9” to incorporate the Roman numeral for 10 — ushering in OLED displays and facial recognition technology. The jump to “iPhone 20” in 2027 appears to follow suit, blending nostalgia with forward-looking design.
Apple’s traditional annual fall rollout has seen steady increments, from iPhone 16 this year to the forthcoming iPhone 17 series. However, Omdia’s projections suggest a deliberate shake-up beginning in 2026. Next year’s iPhone 18 lineup will reportedly exclude the standard model, opting instead for the Air, Pro, Pro Max variants, and the debut of a foldable iPhone. This streamlined approach is expected to trim iPhone panel shipments by roughly 20 million units in 2026, a temporary dip attributed to the one-year absence of the entry-level device.
The foldable entrant, slated for a 2026 bow, could emerge as a game-changer. Omdia anticipates initial shipments exceeding 8 million units, injecting fresh momentum into Apple’s ecosystem amid intensifying competition from Samsung and other Android rivals in the flexible-screen arena.
Despite the short-term contraction, Huh remains optimistic about long-term growth. “This year’s iPhone panel shipments are hovering around 245 million units — a healthy uptick from last year,” he noted. “Even with a dip in 2026, the dual-release strategy and foldable success in 2027 should propel volumes back above 250 million annually.”
Apple’s iPhone franchise — responsible for over half of the company’s revenue — continues to dominate the premium smartphone market. As whispers of under-display cameras, advanced AI integrations, and slimmer form factors swirl for future models, the “iPhone 20” era promises to redefine mobile computing once more.
MacDailyNews Take: If it’s even half as good as the leap from iPhone 8 to iPhone X, “iPhone 20” (or “iPhone XX” maybe?) will be a stunning release!

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