Apple is setting the stage for a spectacular 20th-anniversary iPhone release, and its latest patent hints at a radical leap in smartphone design. 
With just three years to go before the milestone, the company appears to be working toward an iPhone that looks like it’s carved entirely out of glass, delivering an almost seamless, futuristic feel.
According to a recent filing with the USPTO, Apple’s concept describes a device encased in a six-sided glass enclosure, housing a touchscreen display that extends across every visible side. While rumors had suggested a single slab of glass, the patent takes a more practical route-multiple glass pieces precisely engineered to create the illusion of a one-piece exterior.
The design details are intriguing: varying glass thicknesses for strength, specialized corner construction, and textured input regions that blend with the sleek surface. The patent also mentions touch-sensitive edges and tiny precision-cut holes for microphones and speakers, suggesting an immersive display experience where even the edges can interact with the user.
This ambitious design, if realized, would mark one of the most significant changes in iPhone history, pushing the limits of engineering and aesthetics. While mass-producing such a device without sacrificing durability will be a challenge, Apple’s head start through early patent work shows its commitment to delivering something extraordinary.
Sadly, we’ll have to be patient-this 20th-anniversary iPhone isn’t expected to launch until 2027. But if the final product lives up to even part of this vision, it could redefine what we think a smartphone can be.