TL; DR
- Apple is expected to skip the “iPhone 19” and launch the “iPhone 20” in 2027 to mark the iPhone’s 20th anniversary, similar to how it skipped “iPhone 9” for “iPhone X” in 2017.
- Omdia predicts Apple will release the iPhone 18e and iPhone 20 in early 2027, followed by the iPhone 20 Air, Pro, Pro Max, and iPhone Fold 2 later that year, signaling a shift to two annual launch windows.
According to a report from Omdia, Apple plans to overhaul its iPhone naming and release structure starting in 2027. The company is reportedly preparing to skip the “iPhone 19” and instead label its next-generation flagship “iPhone 20,” aligning with the brand’s 20th anniversary since the original iPhone launched in 2007.
The prediction came from Heo Moo-yeol, Senior Researcher at Omdia, during a conference held in Seoul on October 22, 2025. He suggested that Apple will begin transitioning to a biannual release cycle beginning in 2027, splitting major launches between the first and second halves of the year.
ALSO READ: Apple’s 20th Anniversary All-Glass iPhone Could Launch By 2027: Here’s Everything We Know About It
Under this plan, Apple will introduce the iPhone 18e and iPhone 20 in early 2027, followed later by the iPhone 20 Air, Pro, Pro Max, and iPhone Fold 2. This marks a major break from Apple’s long-standing September release pattern and hints at a broader product diversification strategy.
Omdia expects Apple to remove the standard iPhone model from the 2026 lineup (iPhone 18 series), offering only the Air, Pro, Pro Max, and the first foldable iPhone. This move is projected to reduce iPhone display demand by 20 million units in 2026 before rebounding in 2027 once the iPhone 20 lineup expands.
ALSO READ: iOS 26.1 Public Beta 4 Out Now: Here’s Everything New
In 2025, Apple’s iPhone panel shipments are estimated at 245 million units, slightly higher than last year. Omdia forecasts this figure will climb past 250 million units annually after the foldable launch and dual-release schedule stabilize in 2027.
Apple has previously made similar naming jumps, most notably with the iPhone X in 2017, which skipped “iPhone 9” to celebrate the iPhone’s 10th anniversary and debut OLED screens. Industry watchers see the “iPhone 20” as both a symbolic and strategic reset for Apple, pairing anniversary branding with a restructured release cycle to keep the product line fresh heading into its third decade.
You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.
