Apple is set to maintain a familiar design language for its iPhone Pro line-up for at least another two years, with the next major aesthetic overhaul now expected to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the iPhone in 2027. According to respected Apple journalist Mark Gurman, writing for Bloomberg and quoted in a recent 9to5Mac report, the iPhone 17 Pro models, due later this year, will not introduce any radical visual changes.
Gurman’s report comes amidst mounting speculation that Apple was preparing a design refresh for the iPhone 17 Pro, with some leakers previously suggesting the introduction of a two-tone rear panel and a reshaped camera module. However, these claims appear to have been overblown. Gurman notes the iPhone 17 Pro will “look very similar” to last year’s iPhone 16 Pro, especially from the front, and those renders suggesting a radical two-tone aesthetic are “not an accurate picture of what’s to come”.
That said, some subtle refinements are still on the table. While the front of the device may remain largely unchanged, the rear could see a redesigned camera bump. Rather than the speculated long, raised strip across the back, Apple is reportedly working on keeping the camera module more in line with the colour scheme of the rest of the chassis, offering a more cohesive, seamless look.
As ever, Apple seems content to play the long game, saving its most dramatic shift for a milestone release. The iPhone’s 20th anniversary in 2027 is now being positioned as the moment the tech giant truly shakes things up. Gurman teased that Apple is developing a “bold new Pro model” that could represent the most substantial redesign in years — and possibly decades.
Sources suggest that Apple may incorporate more glass into the construction of this anniversary device, potentially leading to a more unified and futuristic feel. One possibility being explored is a super-slim profile, potentially inspired by a rumoured model known as the iPhone 17 Air. Though still in early development, this device is expected to be ultra-light and potentially thinner than any iPhone currently on the market.
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In a move that could further revolutionise the iPhone line, Apple is also rumoured to be working on its first-ever foldable iPhone, targeted for release in 2027. This would mark the company’s formal entry into the foldables space — a trend that Samsung, Google, and other Android manufacturers have been pushing in recent years. If successful, the foldable iPhone could align neatly with Apple’s broader strategy to revamp its hardware for the iPhone’s 20th anniversary and signal a new era of mobile design from the company.
Despite some fans expressing disappointment over the lack of dramatic updates in the immediate pipeline, Apple’s cautious approach to design shifts is nothing new. The company often prioritises stability, refinement, and technological maturity over chasing trends, choosing to iterate incrementally before committing to bolder moves.
With the iPhone 17 Pro expected to launch in September, attention will now turn to the finer details — such as improvements in performance, camera enhancements, and software integrations through iOS 19. But for those hoping for a radical new look, it appears patience will be required.
2027, it seems, is shaping up to be a pivotal year in Apple’s storied history with the iPhone — a time when the company may finally reveal a device that both honours the past and looks firmly toward the future.
