Apple is reportedly planning a significant overhaul for its 2027 iPhone lineup, with the iPhone 19 Pro poised to mark the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone with dramatic design and battery innovations—at least, according to a new report from ET News.
The standout claim? A 100% screen-to-body display with no bezels, no notches, and no visible cutouts—achieved through a fully under-display camera and Face ID system. Apple is said to be preparing an all-glass AMOLED panel that curves seamlessly on all four edges, ushering in a truly immersive viewing experience that would be a first for the company.
If accurate, this shift would mark a clear departure from Apple’s more conservative approach in recent years. Models like the iPhone 16 Pro (2024) and the expected iPhone 17 Pro (2025) have leaned on incremental upgrades—larger camera modules, modest screen changes, and processor boosts—but maintained the familiar design language introduced with the iPhone X.
Another bold claim in the report involves a so-called “100% silicon battery”—a major leap from the silicon-carbon blend batteries currently in use, which typically contain less than 20% silicon. In theory, a battery with fully silicon anodes could offer vastly improved energy density, allowing for significantly longer battery life or slimmer devices without sacrificing capacity.
However, skepticism is warranted. While research into high-silicon content batteries is ongoing, no consumer tech company has yet commercialized a 100% silicon battery at scale, largely due to challenges like volume expansion and material degradation over time. Even for Apple, a company known for its tight control over hardware development, this would be a highly ambitious move.
That said, Apple could be working toward gradually increasing silicon content in its batteries, possibly reaching a milestone in 2027. Paired with AI-driven battery optimization expected in iOS 21, the result could still be impressive—even if not as revolutionary as early leaks suggest.
The idea of a completely under-display front camera and Face ID sensor, on the other hand, feels more plausible. Many Android manufacturers have already implemented under-display cameras, albeit with compromises in image quality. Apple has historically waited until new technologies are mature before incorporating them—and with Face ID and selfie cameras becoming more compact, the 20th anniversary iPhone could be the moment it makes the jump.
For now, Apple is focused on the iPhone 17 series, expected later this year, including a possible ultra-thin “iPhone 17 Air” model. That device is rumored to include a 3,500mAh battery in a sub-6mm body—potentially laying the groundwork for future battery innovations.
As always, these reports should be taken cautiously. Apple rarely confirms product features years in advance, and bold claims around “breakthrough” battery technology tend to surface regularly in the rumor mill without materializing. Still, if even some of these features reach production, the iPhone 19 Pro could be one of Apple’s most significant hardware refreshes in years.
