Summary of Key Points
The iPhone 20th anniversary model will not be canceled, but it won't feature the all-glass design that many people were hoping for. Apple has abandoned the extreme version envisioned by Steve Jobs, which involved a completely glass body with no metal frames, and instead chosen a design where glass is the main element (with glass on the front, back, and sides, connected by a thin metal frame in the middle). Previously, a JPMorgan analyst's statement that the all-glass project had been canceled caused Apple's stock price to drop by nearly 3%. However, Bloomberg analyst Jim Gurman clarified that this was a misunderstanding: what wasn't available in the supply chain was the "pure glass version" of the phone (due to technical limitations), not the 20th anniversary model itself. Apple will continue to iterate on this design, and a pure-glass body may not be realized for another 3-5 years.
1. The Rumor Reversal: “All-Glass iPhone Canceled”? It Was Just a Misunderstanding
The JPMorgan analyst's claim that the all-glass project had been canceled disappointed users who were looking forward to a Jobs-style design, but Bloomberg's Gurman quickly clarified the situation. Apple did indeed abandon an even more idealized plan—a body made entirely of glass without any metal. However, the 20th anniversary model (internally codenamed V73/V74) will still feature a glass design, with glass on the front and back and extending to the sides, supplemented by a metal frame for stability.
Why was there a misunderstanding? The JPMorgan analyst assumed the all-glass project had failed because they couldn't find any evidence of its production in the supply chain. But pure glass is currently not feasible: it's too fragile, and the joints are prone to cracking. Producing even 100 units might result in only a few that are satisfactory, making the cost so high that selling them for $10,000 wouldn't be profitable. Apple has simply dropped this “utopian” version; the actual 20th anniversary model will still have a strong glass aesthetic.
2. Steve Jobs' All-Glass Dream: Why Can't It Be Realized Yet?
Jobs once wanted an iPhone that was completely covered in glass, but there are two major obstacles:
- Technical Challenges: It's difficult to create a strong and aesthetically pleasing connection between pieces of glass (especially on the sides and back); any gaps would make the phone fragile, and it would break easily.
- Low Mass Production Yield: A pure-glass body requires extremely high manufacturing precision. Current factories' equipment and processes are not yet capable of producing at scale, leading to high costs that would make the phones unaffordable for consumers and unsatisfactory for Apple's profits.
Apple's approach has always been to iterate gradually. For example, the notch on the iPhone X was initially criticized for its appearance, but it took three years (by the time of the iPhone 13) to refine it into a more cohesive design. The same is true with the all-glass body: they will start with a “glass + metal” transitional version and gradually reduce the amount of metal used, eventually moving towards a fully glass design when the technology is ready.
3. An Analyst's Statement Causes a 3% Stock Price Drop: “Investment Advice” at Work
JPMorgan's report was not just a technical analysis; it also contained an investment recommendation, suggesting that buying Apple stock was not a good decision at the time. They downgraded Apple’s stock rating, arguing that the cancellation of the all-glass project would affect sales of high-end phones. Many people were looking forward to the all-glass design, so if it didn’t happen, they might not upgrade their phones.
Investors reacted by selling Apple stocks, causing the price to drop by nearly 3%. However, as Gurman clarified the misunderstanding, the stock price is likely to recover over time. This shows that analyst reports can influence market sentiment, and investors should consider multiple sources of information to avoid being misled by a single report.
4. The Actual Look of the iPhone 20
According to leaks, the 20th anniversary Pro model will have the following features:
- Appearance: Glass on the front and back with large-curvature sides, complemented by a thin metal frame that enhances stability without compromising the glass’s appearance.
- Software Integration: iOS 27 will include more “glassy” design elements (such as icons with a glass-like texture) to match the hardware.
- Positioning: As a commemorative model, it will emphasize design innovation but not take reckless risks. Apple needs to balance design with sales and profitability.
In short, the new iPhone will have a more transparent glass appearance, but it won’t be the “pure glass” design that Jobs envisioned. It will be a compromise that focuses on using glass as the primary material while incorporating metal where necessary.
5. Has Apple Changed? From Perfectionism to Practicality?
In the Jobs era, Apple pursued extreme integration (like the glass + metal frame of the iPhone 4). Today, Apple focuses more on balance:
- Changes in the Design Team: After the departure of former design chief Jonny Ive, Apple’s designs have become more practical, such as the foldable iPhone Ultra (which Jobs would have rejected as it represents a “either/or” choice, going against his philosophy of minimizing user choices).
- Market Pressure: Consumers and investors are no longer willing to wait for perfect products. Apple needs to release new features annually to maintain sales, so they don’t try to pack too much technology into one phone.
However, Apple has the resources to do this. Its brand and customer loyalty are strong enough that even without a pure-glass model, people will still buy its products. But with the increasingly competitive smartphone market, Apple needs to accelerate its iteration speed or risk losing customers to competitors’ new designs.
Conclusion
The iPhone 20th anniversary model will be released and will look impressive, but it won’t be all-glass. Steve Jobs’ dream of a completely glass phone will take a few more years to become a reality. Analysts’ opinions should be viewed critically, and stock price fluctuations shouldn’t influence your judgment. For consumers, the upcoming iPhone 20 Pro is likely to offer improved aesthetics and minor feature updates. If you like the glass aesthetic, it’s worth waiting for, but don’t expect a revolutionary design.