Apple Prepares “Glasswing” iPhone Redesign for 20th Anniversary — And It Starts with iOS 26’s “Liquid Glass”

Apple is reportedly working on a radical new iPhone design to mark the 20th anniversary of its flagship product in 2027. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the anniversary iPhone — codenamed “Glasswing” — will feature curved glass on all sides, ultra-slim bezels, and a seamless display without visible cutouts, signaling the company’s most futuristic hardware shift yet.

But Apple isn’t waiting until 2027 to start setting the tone. Gurman reveals the foundation of this visual transformation will be laid as early as next week at WWDC 2025, where Apple is expected to debut a brand-new design language called “Liquid Glass.”

What is "Liquid Glass"?

Internally referred to as “Liquid Glass,” the upcoming design revamp will bring glassy translucence, refined shine, and transparency effects across Apple’s operating systems. This new aesthetic will impact toolbars, control elements, in-app surfaces, and interface components — evoking the clean, fluid feel of polished glass.

The shift is intended to unify the user experience across iOS, macOS, visionOS, and beyond, making Apple’s platforms feel more cohesive while hinting at the hardware future embodied by Glasswing.

Goodbye Version Numbers: Enter iOS 26

WWDC25 will also usher in a naming overhaul, with Apple dropping traditional version numbers (like iOS 19 or macOS 16) in favor of year-based names — beginning with iOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26. This change brings consistency across platforms and simplifies software versioning for users and developers alike.

Gurman’s Take: Apple Is Building the Best "Gas Cars"

While the visual upgrade is poised to impress, Gurman notes Apple’s strategy is more evolutionary than revolutionary — especially in AI. He argues Apple is doubling down on what it does best: delivering premium, refined operating systems and devices. Meanwhile, competitors like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft are pushing toward fully AI-driven platforms.

“Apple is still making the best gas-powered car,” Gurman writes, likening iOS to a luxury vehicle — meticulously engineered and highly capable — but still reliant on the old fuel (traditional UI design and software flow). Apple Intelligence, its upcoming AI suite, is a hybrid in this analogy — powerful but not yet transformative. A true "EV" — a full AI-native platform — is still under development.

Looking Ahead

With iOS 26 and the Liquid Glass interface, Apple may not be catching up to the AI race just yet, but it’s laying down a glossy new road — one that leads directly to its 2027 iPhone redesign milestone.

Stay tuned for WWDC25 on June 9, where Apple is expected to unveil the future of its software ecosystem and offer the first public look at its design ambitions for the years to come.