The topic Apple’s iPhone 20 may finally ditch the design we’ve known for years is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
The iPhone’s journey began in 2007 by changing the smartphone market forever, replacing physical keyboards with a 3.5-inch multi-touch display. Now, as the device moves toward its 20th anniversary, Apple may be preparing for another major design shift, a seamless, completely buttonless iPhone.
according to the data Gurman, the design includes glass edges that curve smoothly into the display on all four sides. Gurman also said Apple’s Liquid Glass interface is being shaped around this hardware direction, with the software designed to visually blend into the iPhone’s glass-heavy body. The idea appears to be a tighter connection between the device and the operating system.
Previous reporting has also pointed to Apple exploring a return to curved-screen styling. The design may aim for a seamless visual effect rather than bringing back the sharply sloped waterfall displays seen on some older Android phones.
The buttonless part of the story comes from an earlier Weibo leak by Chinese tipster Instant Digital from October 2025. The tipster claimed Apple’s solid-state button plan had completed functional verification and was being prepared for mass production on the 2027 iPhone 20.
according to the data that leak, the power button, volume buttons, Action button, and Camera Control button could all move to solid-state controls with localized vibration feedback. That would allow the iPhone to simulate a physical click without using traditional moving buttons.
Instant Digital also claimed Apple may begin the transition earlier with the iPhone 18. The Camera Control button is said to get a simpler structure by removing the capacitive sensing layer and keeping pressure recognition. Later versions could use piezoelectric ceramics to handle local feedback.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had earlier said Apple was working on solid-state power and volume buttons for the iPhone 15 Pro, backed by extra Taptic Engines. Sadly, the feature was later reportedly dropped over technical and manufacturing issues. If those issues have now been ironed out, the iPhone 20 might finally be where Apple brings its long-rumored buttonless design to life.