Although Apple has yet to unveil the iPhone 18, rumors surrounding its 20th-anniversary iPhone are already beginning to gather momentum.

According to a leak on Chinese social media platform Weibo, the iPhone 20, expected to arrive in 2027, could feature a glass-heavy design reminiscent of the iPhone Air, but with a more rounded appearance and an even thinner body.

iPhone 20 could take inspiration from iPhone Air

In a recent Weibo post, leaker Fixed-Focus Digital reiterated information first shared in July about the design of the iPhone 20.

This time, the source focused on the physical construction and thermal performance of the special-edition iPhone expected to mark the product line’s 20th anniversary.

According to Fixed-Focus Digital, the iPhone 20 will use a glass structure similar to that of the iPhone Air. However, Apple is not expected to simply copy the existing model’s design.

Instead, the iPhone 20 is rumored to use materials with more rounded contours, giving the device a softer and more distinctive appearance.

If the information proves accurate, the new design could even help Apple reduce manufacturing costs.

That possibility is particularly noteworthy amid reports that Apple is looking for ways to optimize component and production costs for future generations of the iPhone.

The source did not explain exactly how Apple might achieve those savings, but claimed that the new design would also improve heat dissipation while allowing the device to become thinner.

Thermal management takes center stage

Heat management is becoming increasingly important as premium smartphones grow thinner while more powerful processors and AI features generate greater amounts of heat.

Fixed-Focus Digital previously addressed the issue in an August 2 post. According to the source, the iPhone 20 could feature a heat-dissipation plate roughly one inch larger than those used in previous generations.

The component is reportedly expected to make extensive use of glass and be paired with a mid-frame inspired by the iPhone Air.

These changes suggest Apple may be attempting to solve a difficult engineering challenge: creating an exceptionally thin iPhone while maintaining strong performance and effective thermal control.

For now, however, there is not enough specific information to determine which cooling technology Apple might use or how significant the real-world improvements would be.

OLED display could curve around all four edges

Rumors about the iPhone 20’s redesign extend beyond its frame. In May, another Weibo leaker, Digital Chat Station, said Apple was considering an OLED display curved along all four edges.

The claim aligns with earlier speculation that Apple wants to introduce a dramatically different display design for the iPhone’s 20th-anniversary model.

If realized, a four-sided curved display could give the iPhone 20 a more seamless appearance while further reducing the visual presence of conventional screen bezels.

The latest post from Fixed-Focus Digital offered no additional details about the display, but adds to expectations that the iPhone 20 could become one of the most visually distinctive iPhones Apple has ever developed.

Despite the growing number of reports surrounding the iPhone 20, users should remain cautious, as Apple is not expected to introduce the device until 2027.

Fixed-Focus Digital has a mixed track record, much like many other leakers operating on Weibo.

The account has correctly predicted some details in the past, including the iPhone 16e name, but has also made a number of claims that ultimately proved inaccurate.

At present, most information surrounding the iPhone 20 remains firmly in the realm of rumor. As its expected 2027 launch draws closer, details about the design, display, materials, thermal management and specifications are likely to become clearer.

Hai Phong