Apple Reportedly Planning ‘Major Overhaul’ for iPhone 19 Pro, While 17 Pro Skips Big Changes

Apple has never been shy about making bold statements with its flagship products. But according to recent reports, the tech giant might be saving its most ambitious iPhone plans for 2027, marking the device’s 20th anniversary, rather than introducing any major surprises with the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro.

If you’re eagerly awaiting a dramatic redesign, you may have to sit tight for a few more years.

Asher Dipprey  

Glass Takes Center Stage for iPhone’s Anniversary Edition

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently shared some intriguing insights about Apple’s longer-term strategy. According to Gurman, Apple intends to unveil a dramatically different iPhone design in 2027, emphasizing extensive use of glass. This idea isn’t entirely new; former design chief Jony Ive had envisioned an iPhone that appeared like “a single sheet of glass” as far back as the launch of the iPhone X.

Apple reportedly aims to fulfill that vision with the iPhone 19 Pro, potentially creating a seamless, glass-based exterior. While undeniably eye-catching, such a radical departure could raise practical questions about durability, repairability, and everyday usability. Still, Apple seems confident enough to pursue this futuristic design direction.

The company is also actively experimenting with foldable models, but the primary focus currently appears fixed on the glass-heavy aesthetic, which would undoubtedly differentiate the anniversary model.

iPhone 17 Pro: Familiar Design with Minor Tweaks

On the other hand, if you’re expecting big visual leaps from the next-generation iPhone 17 Pro, you might need to adjust expectations. According to Gurman’s insights, the front of the upcoming Pro model will closely resemble its predecessor, the iPhone 16 Pro, continuing Apple’s incremental evolution strategy.

The main visual distinction will appear at the back of the device. Recent online renders have suggested a large horizontal camera area stretching across the phone’s width. Gurman confirms these renders are largely accurate—but he dismisses earlier speculation about a two-tone rear design with a contrasting camera module. Instead, the camera bar will blend seamlessly with the device’s overall color scheme.

As we wait to see how these plans unfold, Apple’s immediate future seems predictable: modest refinements in the iPhone 17 Pro this year, with eyes firmly set on making a bigger splash down the road for the iconic device’s milestone anniversary.

Via