Future iPhone 2027: Solid-State Buttons and the Rise of Chinese Tech Rivals

Apple is developing a redesigned iPhone for its 20th anniversary, expected in 2027, which may eliminate traditional physical buttons in favor of a solid-state system. This shift in hardware architecture is part of a broader move toward a more seamless device design, though reports indicate that Chinese manufacturers are already attempting to bring similar curved-screen concepts to market ahead of Apple.

According to reporting from ANTARA News and Harianjogja.com, the 2027 anniversary model is expected to be a revolutionary departure from current iPhone designs. The most significant change involves the replacement of mechanical buttons with solid-state haptic buttons. Unlike traditional buttons that physically move to trigger a switch, solid-state buttons use haptic feedback to simulate the sensation of a click, allowing the device to maintain a continuous surface.

The implementation of solid-state buttons allows for a chassis with fewer openings, which can improve structural integrity and potentially enhance resistance to water and dust. This technology replaces the mechanical movement of a button with sensors that detect pressure and a vibration motor that provides a tactile response to the user.

In addition to the button changes, the device is expected to feature a highly curved display. Reports from AsatuNews.co.id and Kompas.com describe a design concept involving curved screens that wrap around the edges of the device. This approach aims to reduce the visibility of the frame and bezels, creating a device that is primarily composed of glass.

This design direction has already attracted attention from competitors in China. CNBC Indonesia reports that Chinese vendors are developing smartphones that mimic these rumored 2027 iPhone concepts. These vendors are focusing on curved-screen technology to launch products that mirror the anticipated Apple aesthetic before the anniversary iPhone is officially released.

Kompas.com notes that some Chinese manufacturers may deploy these technologies sooner than Apple, potentially introducing curved-display hardware that preempts the 2027 release. This pattern of rapid iteration by Chinese vendors often involves adopting leaked or rumored design trends from major industry leaders to capture early market interest in new form factors.

The move toward a buttonless, curved-glass design represents a significant technical challenge. Apple must ensure that haptic buttons remain reliable across various conditions, such as use with wet hands or in extreme temperatures, to replace the tactile certainty of mechanical switches. The integration of a display that curves around the edges also requires advancements in OLED technology to prevent distortion and ensure durability at the edges of the glass.

If successful, the 2027 iPhone would mark one of the most drastic changes to the device’s physical footprint since the original launch of the iPhone. By removing mechanical cutouts and flattening the edges through curved glass and haptic interfaces, the device would move closer to a unified slab of glass and metal.