Apple May Skip ‘iPhone 19’ and Jump Straight to ‘iPhone 20’ in 2027

Apple may be preparing to skip the “iPhone 19” name entirely, jumping straight to the “iPhone 20” for its 2027 lineup — a symbolic move to mark the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone’s debut. The prediction comes from Heo Moo-yeol, senior research analyst at Omdia, who outlined the potential branding shift during a recent industry conference in Seoul.

A Milestone Move for Apple’s 20th Anniversary

If the forecast proves accurate, this would be Apple’s boldest naming decision since 2017, when it introduced the iPhone X to commemorate the product’s tenth anniversary. The move away from linear numbering suggests Apple could be planning a special edition lineup or refreshed brand identity to celebrate two decades of iPhone innovation.

According to Omdia, the decision reflects Apple’s intent to differentiate milestone releases from standard annual updates, while aligning with a broader strategy shift in its launch calendar and model segmentation.

Two-Wave iPhone Launch Strategy

Omdia’s roadmap indicates that starting in 2027, Apple may adopt a two-wave release cycle — launching some models in the spring and others in the fall.

The spring lineup is expected to include an iPhone 18e and the flagship “iPhone 20”, while the fall release could feature the iPhone 20 Air, Pro, Pro Max, and a second-generation foldable iPhone.

This staggered release model could help Apple maintain consistent consumer engagement throughout the year and smooth out production peaks across its supply chain.

2026: The Year of the Foldable iPhone

Before the anniversary year, 2026 is expected to be a pivotal one for Apple’s hardware roadmap. Omdia projects that Apple will eliminate the standard iPhone 18, narrowing the lineup to the Air, Pro, and Pro Max models — alongside the company’s first foldable iPhone.

This aligns with a previously leaked three-year iPhone roadmap, which also pointed to Apple’s first foldable device debuting in 2026.

Temporary Dip, Then Rebound in Display Demand

The temporary removal of the standard iPhone model is expected to reduce display panel demand by roughly 20 million units in 2026, according to Heo. However, Omdia anticipates a strong rebound in 2027, forecasting that the first foldable iPhone will ship more than 8 million units in its debut year.

By the time Apple’s “iPhone 20” lineup arrives, total iPhone panel demand could climb back to over 250 million units annually, reflecting renewed momentum from the new product mix and anniversary branding.

Looking Ahead

While Apple hasn’t confirmed any details, the potential jump to “iPhone 20” underscores how the company continues to evolve its naming strategy and release cadence to keep the iPhone brand fresh. With a foldable on the horizon and major lineup reshuffling underway, 2026 and 2027 could mark one of the most transformative periods in the iPhone’s history since its debut in 2007.