iPhone 20 All-Screen Delay surprises insiders as Apple rethinks its anniversary plan

Apple's Full-Screen iPhone Plans Delayed

Apple is expected to launch an iPhone 20 model next year to mark the 20th anniversary of the iPhone lineup. A fresh leak from China suggests the device will not include the under-display selfie camera technology, keeping the front-facing camera within a pill-shaped cutout at the top of the screen. The report adds that Apple continues to face difficulties in developing true full-screen display tech, and a truly all-screen design does not appear likely in the near term.

According to a translated post on Weibo, a tipster on the platform says Apple will launch upcoming iPhone models with smaller, more compact designs, but the iPhone 20 may preserve a top-notch style rather than a fully uninterrupted display. The pill-shaped selfie camera cutout, first seen with the iPhone 14 Pro line as Dynamic Island, could remain part of the front design when the iPhone 20 arrives.

In parallel, Apple is reportedly planning to add an under-display Face ID system to the iPhone 18 Pro series, which could allow the company to keep a smaller front-cutout while moving toward an all-screen aesthetic in the long term. The timeline and product naming stay fluid, but the leak points to a shift away from Apple’s typical September launch window for the next generation devices.

Timeline and Market Context

The leak states Apple plans to launch the iPhone 20 in 2027 to commemorate the 20th anniversary. The handset could be unveiled in the first half of the year, with the iPhone 20 Pro and iPhone 20 Pro Max appearing in the second half of 2027. The timing would deviate from Apple’s usual fall introductions.

Display design and related notes

• Display design: no fully uninterrupted top area expected in the iPhone 20, per the leak.
• Front camera: the pill-shaped cutout may remain, rather than a fully under-display selfie camera.
• Under-display Face ID: reportedly planned for the iPhone 18 Pro series later this year, potentially enabling a smaller top area on future designs.
• Launch window: early-to-mid 2027 for the iPhone 20, with Pro models following later in the year.

Officials and people familiar with the matter cautioned that plans are subject to change and that timing can shift as development continues. No final specifications are confirmed, and the timeline remains speculative until Apple officially discusses the product roadmap.

Observers note the ongoing interest in true all-screen smartphones and the potential for Apple to pace feature introductions around production realities.