Apple is currently at the iPhone 17, and if the pattern continues, 2026 will see the release of the iPhone 18. However, a new report claims that by 2027, Apple will skip the iPhone 19 and instead release the iPhone 20 to mark the 20th anniversary of the smartphone lineup.
### Multiple iPhone Releases in 2027
The 2027 iPhone lineup is expected to undergo a significant shake-up, with multiple releases planned throughout the year. In the first half of 2027, Apple will reportedly launch the iPhone 18e, a budget-friendly smartphone that will become a regular release in its lineup.
Later in the second half of the year, Apple is set to follow up with the iPhone 20 series as part of its 20th anniversary celebration. Alongside the iPhone 20, the second half of 2027 will also bring a new-generation iPhone Air and a second-generation foldable iPhone.
### 20th Anniversary Leads to Skipping the iPhone 19
As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, Apple is said to be skipping the number 19 entirely, meaning there will be no iPhone 19 in 2027. This isn’t the first time Apple has made such a move. A previous report from ETNews indicated that in the upcoming year, Apple might skip the iPhone 18 base variant for the second-half releases and focus solely on “Pro” models.
### History Repeats: The iPhone X Naming Scheme
Apple first surprised the world with unconventional naming during its 10th anniversary. Instead of following the numerical sequence, Apple released the iPhone 8 alongside the iPhone X — the latter using the Roman numeral “X” to signify the tenth-anniversary model. This move skipped the iPhone 9 altogether and sparked speculation about a new naming system.
While this was initially believed to be the start of a new naming convention, it lasted only one year. In 2018, Apple introduced the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. The following year, Apple returned to the traditional numbering system with 2019’s iPhone 11, a practice that continues to this day.
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With the 20th anniversary of the iPhone just around the corner, it seems Apple is preparing to shake up its naming conventions once again, offering fans something special and unique to celebrate two decades of the iconic smartphone lineup.
https://www.techtimes.com/articles/312345/20251023/apple-will-reportedly-skip-iphone-19-release-iphone-20-anniversary.htm