TECHNOLOGY

Apple's Future iPhones: A Year-by-Year Makeover

Tue May 27 2025
Apple has big plans for the iPhone. They are aiming to refresh the look and feel of their flagship device every year for the next three years. This is not just a minor tweak. The changes are set to be quite noticeable. The goal is to make the iPhone look and feel different each year, with a focus on the camera and screen. The first big change is expected in 2025. The iPhone 17 will likely be the first to show off a new camera layout. Instead of the usual vertical setup, the cameras will be arranged horizontally. This is a significant shift, as the last major camera update was with the iPhone 11 Pro. The new design is said to include a "horizontal large matrix lens decorative component. "This sounds fancy, but it basically means the camera will look different and maybe even work better. In 2026, Apple will turn its attention to the front of the phone. The Dynamic Island, that pill-shaped cutout on the screen, is expected to be replaced. Instead, there will be a single circular cutout for the selfie camera. The Face ID hardware, which is used for facial recognition, will be hidden under the display. This means the screen will look more uniform and less cluttered. By 2027, Apple wants to achieve something even more ambitious: a completely uninterrupted screen. This means no visible cutouts, holes, or notches. Both the Face ID system and the selfie camera will be integrated beneath the display. The result will be a true full-screen iPhone, something that many tech enthusiasts have been dreaming of for years. It is not clear if these changes will be limited to the Pro models or if they will extend to the entire iPhone lineup. Historically, Apple has introduced new technologies on its high-end models first. For example, the Dynamic Island debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro before being added to the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. It is likely that the same pattern will follow with these new design changes. One thing to consider is how these changes will affect the user experience. Will a full-screen iPhone be more convenient? Or will it be more fragile? Only time will tell. Another question is how these changes will impact the price of the iPhone. Will the new designs come at a cost? These are important questions to think about as Apple continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with the iPhone.

questions

    What technological advancements will Apple implement to hide the Face ID hardware beneath the display in 2026?
    Is the phased industrial design change a strategy to gradually phase out certain features to make room for hidden tracking devices?
    What are the potential drawbacks of Apple's planned annual redesigns on the iPhone's reliability and user satisfaction?

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