This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: iPhone 20th anniversary model, iOS 19 features, 2027 “product renaissance,” and more. Here are this week’s Apple rumors.
iPhone 20th anniversary model will have no bezel or cutout
Prior reporting has hinted at Apple’s big plans for its 20th anniversary iPhone Pro model. But a report this week offered a lot more clarity.
ET News reported that the device would use “4-sided bending display technology” so that the iPhone’s entire front side could be screen, with no bezel whatsoever.
Similarly, this advanced new display will “hide the camera under the screen” and the device is also said to incorporate solid-state battery technology.
My takeaways
These new details about Apple’s 20th anniversary iPhone are very exciting.
Giving the iPhone an all-screen display, with no bezels or cutouts, feels like as good a fulfillment as possible of Jony Ive’s longtime vision of iPhone being a single slab of glass.
Launching such a model in 2027, 20 years after iPhone debuted and 10 years after iPhone X, seems very fitting.
Three new iOS 19 rumors
This week we received a trio of iOS 19 rumors, all courtesy of Bloomberg.
Mark Gurman says iOS 19 will:
- have an AI feature that improves iPhone battery life
- sync public, captive Wi-Fi connections across devices
- and be “less glitchy” than past updates
These features, of course, join iOS 19’s expected major design overhaul, Siri upgrades, and more.
My takeaways
As I wrote yesterday, I can’t think of a more compelling trio of iOS 19 upgrades than 1) a redesign, 2) improved battery life, and 3) fewer glitches.
I’m not convinced Apple can actually pull this off, as shipping a big redesign while eliminating more bugs seems like an oxymoron. But if the company can deliver, users will no doubt welcome the changes—or at least, the latter two, since redesigns are always going to be controversial.
Apple’s 2027 ‘product renaissance’
Mark Gurman also outlined what he’s calling a “product renaissance” Apple will experience in 2027.
Though several launches he mentions are actually 2026 releases, out of the actual 2027 arrivals, Gurman highlights:
- iPhone Pro 20th anniversary model
- Smart glasses
- AirPods with camera
- Apple Watch with camera
- Tabletop Home device with robotic arm
My takeaways
Apple has plenty of exciting product launches planned both this year and next, so I’m not sure I’m as bought into the idea of 2027 being especially unique.
That said, it does sound like a strong lineup if all of these products ship on the expected schedule.
The iPhone 20th anniversary model will rightfully get a lot of attention, but I’m very intrigued by the Home tabletop product. Normally the idea of a ‘robot’ wouldn’t excite me, but Apple’s adorable lamp demo from a few months back changed my mind completely.
visionOS 3 to bring hands-free app scrolling
Though iOS 19 is undoubtedly the center of most attention among Apple’s new software releases, visionOS 3 is rumored to be a packed update for Vision Pro users.
This week Mark Gurman shared one expected visionOS 3 feature: eye tracking for scrolling apps. He says the new capability will be built into Apple apps, with third parties will have tools to implement support themselves.
My takeaways
Eye tracking in visionOS is overall fine, but not quite at the level of perfection I would expect before eye scrolling could be a success. This gives me hope that other visionOS 3 changes will bring reliability upgrades to the core systems like eye and hand tracking.
It does feel like the list of new features visionOS could use is long though, so I’m surprised Apple prioritized something as unnecessary as hands-free scrolling. But I’m eager to give it a try nonetheless.
What are your takeaways from this week’s Apple rumors? Let us know in the comments.
Best iPhone accessories
- AirPods Pro 2 (now only $199, down from $249)
- MagSafe Car Mount for iPhone
- HomeKit smart plug 4-pack
- 10-year AirTag battery case 2-pack
- 100W USB-C power adapter for fast charging
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