Apple is reportedly planning a major design and technological overhaul for its 20th-anniversary iPhone, including buttonless haptic controls and an advanced camera system, with speculation suggesting the company may skip a model number to mark the milestone.
A Chinese tipster, Setsuna Digital, posted on the social media platform Weibo, claiming Apple has approved full solid-state buttons for the “iPhone 20” set to launch in 2027. These buttons would rely on haptic feedback, vibrating in response to touch, rather than a physical clicking mechanism.
This transition means the Power, Volume, Action, and Camera Control buttons on the iPhone 20 would all be updated to solid-state technology.
The move aligns with reports from Omdia senior researcher Heo Moo-yeol, who suggested Apple would bypass an “iPhone 19” model to introduce the “iPhone 20” for the smartphone’s 20th anniversary. Apple previously released the iPhone X in 2017 to commemorate the device’s 10th anniversary.
Beyond the haptic buttons, the iPhone 20 is also expected to feature extremely thin display bezels, creating a front appearance reminiscent of a single sheet of glass.
The “iPhone 20 Pro” model may also incorporate a LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) camera sensor. This technology is designed to capture more light per pixel, significantly enhancing the dynamic range of images.
The result would be clearer details in both dark and brightly lit areas of photos, leading to higher overall image quality. This advanced sensor has already been adopted by Huawei for its premium Pura 80 Ultra smartphone.
Additionally, several other Chinese manufacturers, including Xiaomi, Honor, OPPO, and Vivo, are rumored to be planning the integration of LOFIC sensors into their future devices.
Before the iPhone 20’s rumored debut, the Camera Control button on the “iPhone 18,” anticipated for a 2026 launch, is also slated for an update. This interim change would simplify the button by removing its capacitive layer, retaining only the pressure-sensing function.
The iPhone 18’s camera control is also expected to utilize piezoelectric ceramics, a material capable of generating voltage when compressed. This material would efficiently create localized haptic feedback for the button.
Should these reports prove accurate, they signal Apple’s intention for a substantial redesign and technological leap for the iPhone 20, marking it as a special anniversary edition.