202: iPhone XX? Next Year’s iPhone Will Change Everything

Welcome back to The Macroom Show—good afternoon from a city that’s basically in a smoke sauna thanks to Canada’s wildfires. I’m hoping it clears before I head to New York, and yes, we still owe you a live show after breezing past our two‑hundredth without a fuss.

A live episode is overdue, and the real headline is the iPhone’s twenty‑year mark. I expect Apple to lean into that and ship an iPhone 20 Pro as the Pro replacement rather than stack even more models.

Do they go Roman numerals again, or do we all pretend iPhone 20 doesn’t sound wild? I’m already tired of the number climb.

No chance they do double X after the iPhone X naming chaos, and Apple hates landing on a nine. This could be the moment they reset with families like Air 2 or Ultra 2, or a fresh name that breaks the count.

Let’s talk design, because this is rumored to be the biggest shake‑up since the iPhone X, which is still my favorite. Edge‑to‑edge is the pitch, and I’m curious how far they push it.

Think Johnny Ive’s single‑slab dream: a glass back, an ultra‑thin metal band, near bezel‑less sides that waterfall into the frame, and likely just a single centered punch hole. Under‑display parts will move in stages, so full Face ID under the screen seems later, but Apple’s palm rejection and cases should tame edge touches.

I love the look, but those waterfall edges used to be a pain to use, and a hole punch dulls the all‑glass mystique. I still want the front camera under the display if it can keep image quality.

Haptic buttons may finally land after Apple’s earlier Project Bongo push, cutting mechanical failures and freeing space for a bigger Taptic engine or battery. If they add smart pressure or touch along the rails, it could be useful—if it’s executed right.

I’m old‑school here: give me clicky buttons and a thicker phone with a bigger battery. I don’t need edge tricks if endurance goes up.

The one upgrade I’m excited about is a custom Apple image sensor, like doing Apple Silicon for the camera. With more in‑house parts and efficiency gains, the long game is clear: less bezel, better cameras, and thinner without hurting battery.

My dream setup is an iPhone Air body with Pro cameras and Pro‑level battery in a compact size. I’m hyped for the Ultra foldable, but I suspect I’ll miss a simple slab unless the fold adds daily value.

Features will fill in over a few years, but physics keeps that camera bump around while the optics stay large. Denser batteries could unlock Pro‑grade tech in lighter frames, and the Air line may drift into the entry slot long term.

Battery life’s been fine overall, but I’ve seen faster drop‑off lately—maybe the beta. Also, are we finally getting reverse wireless charging, at least to top up AirPods?

My 17 Pro battery has been the best I’ve had in years, and a bigger pack plus a more efficient chip and modem should push the 18 Pro further. Reverse charging feels inevitable, but alignment and efficiency are lousy today, and the Qi versus MagSafe versus Apple Watch tangle needs a smarter MagSafe reboot; I wouldn’t expect it next year.

On accessories, I miss first‑party battery cases and travel docks. I’d buy the exact charging stands Apple uses in stores in a heartbeat.

Third parties filled the gap while Apple’s lineup stalled, and a universal Apple pack that worked with Pro models would have been an easy win. I’d love tighter OS integration and small touches that bring back that old Apple polish.

This year’s iPhone looks like steady, sensible updates, and next year is the anniversary swing with that edge‑to‑edge vibe, maybe a tiny punch hole, and hopefully refreshed accessories. Tell us if you’d take the iPhone double X—kidding—or the iPhone 20, and if Johnny Ive should narrate the reveal; we’ll see you next week.