Apple's iPhone Air might be the model for its 20th anniversary iPhone.

      Recent leaks indicate that Apple's upcoming 20th anniversary iPhone will feature a design inspired by the Air model.

      The iPhone Air has often been viewed as a less successful experiment compared to Apple's other offerings. However, new information suggests that Apple may perceive the slim iPhone in a different light, incorporating its design language into their mainstream product line.

      According to a tip from Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo, the iPhone 20 series could integrate its mid-frame construction from the iPhone Air and revert to a design that heavily utilizes glass.

      In addition to a shared design aesthetic and a thinner chassis, the leak mentions an expanded vapor chamber that has grown by an inch in size. While the source does not specify a reference frame, it’s likely that the comparison is being made to the vapor chamber in the iPhone 17 Pro.

      Apple introduced vapor chamber cooling with the previous year's Pro models, moving away from the graphite sheets seen in earlier models. Graphite passively dissipates heat but has limitations when external temperatures rise, whereas vapor chambers actively cool phones, performing considerably better in hotter conditions.

      For a device that is slimmer than the iPhone 17 Pro but offers more power, a larger vapor chamber could be beneficial.

      Regarding screen size, another leaked report from Digital Chat Station adds further details. The iPhone 20 Pro Max is anticipated to feature a 7-inch display, increasing from the 6.9 inches of the 17 Pro Max. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 20 Pro may rise from 6.3 inches to 6.4 inches.

      The aspect ratios are expected to remain the same as this year's models, but a new quad-curved front panel could create the illusion of nearly invisible bezels. This isn’t particularly surprising, considering the jump from iPhone 18 to iPhone 20, given that 2027 will mark two decades since the original iPhone's release. Apple typically does not overlook significant milestones like this without making an impactful announcement.

      In technology news, researchers have developed a new system that could simplify the detection of counterfeit products. As counterfeit goods become more advanced, brands have increasingly relied on costly authentication systems that often require specialized equipment. A team has created an innovative printing method that produces durable, anti-counterfeit labels that can be verified simply with a smartphone. This advancement was detailed in the International Journal of Materials and Product Technology.

      At first glance, this technology might seem like another small step forward in product security. However, it directly addresses a major drawback of existing anti-counterfeit methods: accessibility. If authentication necessitates expensive equipment, scaling it becomes impractical. By allowing smartphone-based verification, this technology could make counterfeit detection feasible for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike.

      In other news, Sunbird has reintroduced its iMessage app for Android, following a privacy controversy that led to its shutdown three years ago. The app allows Android users to participate in iMessage chats without the stigma of green bubbles and has now become available again on the Google Play Store after being inactive since 2023.

      Previously, security experts had found that the app was transmitting Apple ID information over unencrypted connections and logging user messages through a debugging tool, contradicting Sunbird's assurances of full end-to-end encryption. This fallout led to a swift shutdown of both Sunbird and its partnership with the Nothing Phone.

      Additionally, SpaceX is planning to compete with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile by establishing its own mobile network. During its first earnings call as a publicly traded company, SpaceX shared its long-term vision, with President Gwynne Shotwell informing investors about the intention to create a comprehensive mobile network designed to attract customers away from major carriers. Elon Musk supported this initiative, highlighting the EchoStar spectrum deal as a significant step beyond Starlink’s existing satellite internet service.