Apple could be preparing to do something it has done before: skip an iPhone number.

Instead of following the expected iPhone 18 lineup with an iPhone 19 in 2027, Apple could jump directly to an iPhone 20 as it marks the 20th anniversary of its most important product.

The possibility was reported by research firm Omdia on October 23, 2025, adding weight to earlier speculation that Apple could use its 2027 lineup to reset both its product naming strategy and its launch calendar. Omdia chief Researcher Heo Moo-yeol reportedly outlined a schedule in which Apple would launch new standard models in the first half of 2027, followed by higher-end and anniversary products in the second half.

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Apple has not publicly confirmed that it will skip the iPhone 19 name. However, the idea has gained attention because the company has already used a similar strategy.

In 2017, when Apple marked the iPhone’s 10th anniversary, it did not release an iPhone 9. Instead, it introduced the iPhone X alongside the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

That history is now fueling speculation that the 2027 anniversary iPhone could receive an equally dramatic branding change.

The iPhone 19 could be the number Apple never uses

The first major signal came on October 23, 2025, when Omdia Chief Researcher Heo Moo-yeol reportedly discussed Apple’s future iPhone launch strategy at a conference in Seoul.

According to the report, Apple is expected to reorganize its release schedule, with the standard iPhone moving to the first half of the year. The second half would then be reserved for more premium products, including the anniversary iPhone.

Under the reported roadmap, Apple would launch an iPhone 18e and iPhone 18 in the first half of 2027. Later that year, the company could introduce a next-generation iPhone Air, an iPhone 20 Pro and iPhone 20 Pro Max, as well as a second-generation foldable iPhone.

The naming details remain uncertain, and Omdia’s report itself contained an apparent inconsistency over the early-2027 model. MacRumors subsequently noted that the reference to an early-2027 “iPhone 20” was likely an error and was intended to refer to the iPhone 18.

That leaves the central question: Why would Apple skip iPhone 19?

The answer may have less to do with the number itself and more to do with what Apple wants the 2027 iPhone to represent.

A 20th-anniversary reset could explain the jump

Apple’s first iPhone went on sale on June 29, 2007. That makes 2027 a major milestone for the company and the product that transformed its business.

The iPhone has since become a central part of Apple’s hardware ecosystem and one of the company’s most important sources of revenue. A 20th anniversary gives Apple an opportunity to position a new device as more than simply another annual upgrade.

The precedent is the iPhone X.

For the iPhone’s 10th anniversary, Apple moved away from its expected numerical progression. Rather than releasing an iPhone 9, it introduced the iPhone X, using the Roman numeral for 10. The move created a clear distinction between the regular iPhone 8 generation and the anniversary model.

A similar strategy in 2027 would give Apple an opportunity to make the anniversary generation stand apart from the preceding models.

The reported “iPhone 20” name would also provide a straightforward connection between the product and the milestone, although other names have circulated.

The name is still not settled

By July 17, 2026, the naming question remained unresolved.

In an episode of The MacRumors Show published that day, MacRumors examined Apple’s expected 20th-anniversary iPhone and noted that the company had not confirmed what the device would be called.

Reports have referred to the product as both iPhone 20 and iPhone XX, with those names being used as placeholders rather than confirmed branding. There has also been speculation that Apple could position the anniversary model as a separate, higher-tier product rather than simply replacing the existing Pro models.

That uncertainty is important.

The case for “iPhone 20” is based largely on Apple’s past naming decision, the timing of the anniversary and reports from analysts and supply-chain sources. It is not an official announcement from Apple.

For now, “iPhone 19” remains a logical name on Apple’s numerical roadmap. But the reports suggest Apple may have a different plan for 2027.

Apple’s launch calendar could change too

The naming change is only one part of the reported strategy.

Omdia’s October 2025 comments also pointed to a major restructuring of Apple’s iPhone launch calendar. Rather than introducing the entire lineup around September, Apple could split its releases between the first and second halves of the year.

The Information and Apple supply-chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had both reported in May 2025 that Apple was considering a biannual iPhone launch strategy.

The logic behind such a move would be commercial as well as logistical.

Apple’s traditional iPhone cycle concentrates much of its new-product activity in the second half of the year. New iPhones typically launch around September, creating a major sales push during the final months of the calendar year.

Splitting launches could give Apple a more evenly distributed product cycle, potentially bringing new devices to consumers at different points during the year.

The reported plan would also create clearer separation between Apple’s standard iPhone models and its premium products.

Under the strategy outlined by Omdia, the first half of 2027 would focus on the iPhone 18 generation, while the second half could become the stage for the anniversary models and the next foldable iPhone.

Why the 2027 iPhone could be very different

The argument for skipping iPhone 19 becomes more compelling when the naming rumors are considered alongside the reported hardware changes.

By July 2026, reports were pointing to what could be one of Apple’s most significant iPhone redesigns since the iPhone X.

The 20th-anniversary iPhone is expected to feature a substantially revised design, potentially using curved glass across the device and a display designed to make the frame appear to recede. Earlier reports have described the possibility of a mostly glass construction and a much more seamless front.

The ambition reportedly extends to the display.

Apple is said to be working toward a front with fewer visible openings, although the extent to which it can move Face ID and the front-facing camera beneath the display remains uncertain. Current reports suggest Apple could gradually reduce the size of the Dynamic Island while moving some Face ID components under the display.

The camera is another challenge. Under-display camera technology has historically involved compromises in image quality, making it less certain that Apple could eliminate the front cutout entirely by 2027.

Buttons, cameras and a thinner frame could add to the anniversary push

Apple is also rumored to be revisiting solid-state haptic buttons for the anniversary device.

The reported concept would replace conventional moving buttons with haptic controls integrated into the frame. Such a design would fit with Apple’s broader ambition of creating a device that looks increasingly like a continuous piece of glass.

The reported motivation is not simply aesthetic. Eliminating mechanical openings could potentially improve durability and create additional internal space.

The camera system could also receive significant changes. Apple has reportedly been developing more of its own components, including imaging technology, as the company continues its broader push to control more of the technologies inside its devices.

Other reports have pointed to a next-generation Apple silicon chip, a newer modem and a larger battery as possible components of the anniversary model. Reverse wireless charging has also been discussed, which could allow the iPhone to charge accessories such as AirPods or an Apple Watch.

None of those features has been confirmed by Apple.

The bigger story is Apple’s attempt to make 2027 matter

Ultimately, the potential disappearance of the iPhone 19 may be less about skipping a number and more about creating a new product moment.

Apple has used naming changes before when it wanted an iPhone generation to stand out. The iPhone X demonstrated that a major anniversary could justify breaking from the normal numerical sequence.

The 20th anniversary provides another natural opportunity.

If Apple follows the reported strategy, consumers could see an iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e arrive during the first half of 2027, while the second half could bring a dramatically redesigned premium iPhone alongside a new iPhone Air and a second-generation foldable model.

That would make the absence of an iPhone 19 part of a much larger product strategy rather than a simple branding decision.

There is still an important caveat: Apple has not announced an iPhone 20, nor has it confirmed that an iPhone 19 will be skipped.

For now, the evidence consists of analyst comments, supply-chain reporting and industry rumors that have accumulated since 2025. The October 2025 Omdia report provided one of the clearest indications that the numerical sequence could change, while reporting in July 2026 showed that the device’s final name was still uncertain.

If the reports prove accurate, however, Apple could be preparing to make the iPhone’s 20th anniversary about more than another annual upgrade.

The company could skip a number, overhaul its launch calendar and introduce a redesigned flagship designed to signal the beginning of another chapter for its most valuable product line.

And that would leave one conspicuous gap in Apple’s history: there may simply never be an iPhone 19.

Motivate Media Group has published Wilfred Thesiger in Arabia, a new illustrated volume marking the 80th anniversary of explorer Wilfred Thesiger’s first crossing of the Empty Quarter.

The book was officially launched by HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, who also wrote its Foreword, at the Motivate Media Group stand during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair on Thursday, September 17.

Edited by Ian Fairservice and Alexander Maitland, Wilfred Thesiger in Arabia combines Thesiger’s photographs with essays examining his journeys across the Arabian deserts, his engagement with Bedouin life and the profound transformation taking place across the region during his lifetime.

Contributors include Sir David Attenborough, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, BBC correspondent Frank Gardner, Benedict Allen, Elizabeth Edwards and Dr Peter Clark, offering perspectives on Thesiger’s legacy and the historical and cultural significance of his work.

The volume also explores the importance of Thesiger’s photographic archive as a record of Arabia during a period of major social, economic and urban change.

Sheikh Nahyan described the publication as an important addition to literature documenting the region’s history and human and cultural heritage. He also highlighted its combination of photographs, documents and personal accounts in presenting a comprehensive picture of Thesiger’s experiences in Arabia.

Ian Fairservice said: “Sir Wilfred Thesiger left us one of the most remarkable visual and literary records of Arabia ever created. I was privileged to know him and to work closely with him during the later years of his life. This volume brings together his extraordinary photographs and the reflections of writers, explorers and scholars who have continued to engage with his work. To see it launched in Abu Dhabi alongside His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan is particularly meaningful. Above all, I hope this book ensures that Thesiger’s extraordinary record of Arabia continues to inspire generations of readers.”

Wilfred Thesiger in Arabia is available at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, leading regional bookstores and online through Booksarabia.com.

Dubai Police and flydubai have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation and enhance the experience of visitors arriving in Dubai.

The agreement was signed at Arabian Travel Market 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre, in line with the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

The partnership supports efforts to strengthen collaboration between government, semi-government and private-sector entities and align their work with Dubai’s strategic priorities and global competitiveness, a WAM report said.

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Under the MoU, Dubai Police and flydubai will exchange expertise and capabilities and develop joint initiatives and projects designed to deliver sustainable and measurable impact. Areas of cooperation will also be incorporated into the entities’ strategic and operational plans, supporting national priorities and the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

Expanding the visitor experience

The partnership is expected to contribute to the competitiveness of Dubai’s tourism sector while reinforcing the emirate’s position as a leading global destination for tourism and business.

A key element of the agreement will allow passengers arriving on flydubai flights to purchase the Esaad Card at a special price. The card provides access to discounts, offers and benefits across 10 sectors, giving visitors additional value throughout their stay in Dubai.

The sectors covered include restaurants and theme parks, shopping centres, tourism and travel, health and sports, family services, automotive services, accommodation, education, government services and online shopping.

The initiative is designed to extend the visitor experience beyond air travel, connecting passengers with a wider range of services, leisure activities and offers from the moment they arrive in the emirate.

Focus on integrated partnerships

Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, commander in chief of Dubai Police, welcomed the partnership, saying Dubai has developed an advanced model of integrated collaboration that brings together the visions and efforts of different sectors and transforms partnerships into initiatives with a tangible impact on people’s lives.

He said Dubai Police is committed to building strategic partnerships that go beyond traditional frameworks of cooperation by using shared capabilities and expertise to develop services and initiatives that enhance quality of life and happiness.

“At Dubai Police, we consider people’s happiness and quality of life an integral part of Dubai’s government work. We are committed to expanding the impact of our initiatives and partnerships in ways that serve the community and visitors to the emirate, while strengthening Dubai’s image as one of the world’s safest cities and a city distinguished by its quality of life and excellence in services,” Lieutenant General Al Marri said.

Aviation partnership supports tourism

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said the agreement reflects the role of partnerships between national institutions in supporting Dubai’s long-term vision and ambitions.

“This partnership with Dubai Police represents a model of integration between national institutions in supporting Dubai’s vision and future ambitions. It reflects our shared commitment to developing an integrated ecosystem that places visitors at the heart of its priorities, combining ease of access, quality services, security and happiness, while enhancing Dubai’s appeal and its position among the world’s leading tourism and business destinations,” Al Ghaith said.

He added that the aviation sector plays a key role in connecting Dubai with international markets and supporting the expansion of its economic and tourism sectors.

“At flydubai, we are therefore committed to extending the impact of our strategic partnerships beyond the journey itself to encompass the visitor’s entire experience from the moment they arrive in Dubai. We believe that aligning efforts and expertise with our government sector partners strengthens the emirate’s competitiveness and its ability to attract more visitors from around the world,” he said.

Passengers set to gain added value

Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said the partnership reflects the importance of strategic cooperation in enhancing the experience of visitors and delivering additional value to passengers.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Dubai Police on this initiative, which reflects the importance of strategic partnerships in enhancing the experience of visitors to Dubai and delivering added value to our passengers,” Obaidalla said.

He noted that demand for travel to Dubai continues to grow, with visitor numbers expected to increase further over the coming months into the winter season.

“This partnership will enable flydubai passengers to benefit from a wide range of offers and privileges while enjoying the exceptional tourism, leisure and entertainment experiences that Dubai has to offer throughout the year,” he added.

“We remain committed to working closely with our partners to support Dubai’s position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations and provide visitors with a more rewarding and seamless experience from the moment they arrive,” Obaidalla said.

The MoU was signed by Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander in Chief of Dubai Police, and Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai. The agreement reflects both parties’ commitment to leveraging their combined capabilities and expertise to develop initiatives that enhance the experience, quality of life and happiness of Dubai’s visitors while supporting the emirate’s tourism and travel ecosystem.

flydubai has created a network of more than 125 destinations in 56 countries across Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and Southeast Europe, the GCC and the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Almost 100 of these destinations were underserved markets without any, or very few, direct connections to Dubai and the UAE. The airline operates a young and efficient fleet of more than 95 Boeing 737 aircraft.

Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque has introduced entry fees for visitors, with UAE residents and international tourists now required to pay for sightseeing access to one of the country’s most prominent cultural and religious landmarks.

According to the official Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre (SZGMC) website, visitors from outside the UAE will pay Dhs10, while Emirates ID holders will be charged Dhs5. Visitors arriving through tour operators will pay Dhs8, while fees for official delegations will be determined by the relevant authority.

The new charges apply to people visiting the mosque for tourism and sightseeing. Access remains free for worshippers, maintaining the site’s primary function as a place of worship.

The introduction of the nominal charges is aimed at supporting the visitor experience and sustainability of services at the landmark, according to reports citing the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre.

Visitors can book their access passes through the mosque’s official website. The mosque is open to visitors from 9am to 8.30pm from Saturday to Thursday. On Fridays, visiting hours are from 9am to 11.30am and 2.30pm to 8.30pm. The centre also operates Sura night tours daily between 9pm and 9am.

Cultural guided tours will continue to be offered free of charge. Led by SZGMC cultural tour specialists, the tours provide visitors with information about the mosque’s architecture and Islamic culture and are available in Arabic and English.

The introduction of fees comes as the landmark continues to attract significant visitor numbers. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre welcomed 3.13 million guests during the first half of 2026, including about 1.24 million visitors and more than 1.84 million worshippers and fasting guests.

Visitors can book directly through the official Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre booking page.

Airlines in the Gulf are expanding their customer offerings through new loyalty and corporate-travel initiatives, with flyadeal partnering with Alrajhi Bank to integrate Mokafaa rewards into its booking channels and Etihad Airways introducing a priority-support service for business travellers.

The moves come as carriers increasingly use digital platforms, loyalty programmes and tailored services to add value beyond the basic flight experience.

flyadeal brings Mokafaa rewards into bookings

Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal and Alrajhi Bank have entered into a partnership that allows members of the bank’s Mokafaa loyalty programme to earn and redeem points when booking eligible flyadeal flights.

Under the arrangement, Mokafaa members can earn points on qualifying flights booked through flyadeal’s website and mobile application. Accumulated points can also be used toward ticket purchases through the airline’s booking channels.

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The agreement connects flyadeal with Alrajhi Bank’s large customer base while expanding the range of travel-related uses for Mokafaa points.

“We are delighted to partner with Al Rajhi Bank and bring Mokafaa into the flyadeal experience. Our customers can now earn and redeem Mokafaa points seamlessly across our booking channels, whether on our website or app, so every journey with flyadeal delivers more value,” said Mohannad Salman AlSalmi, CIO at flyadeal.

He added that the partnership was intended to support the airline’s digital customer experience as it expands its network in Saudi Arabia and internationally.

Alrajhi Bank said the agreement forms part of its efforts to broaden the Mokafaa programme’s network of participating brands.

“The partnership with flyadeal, one of the leading national airlines, embodies the bank’s commitment to fulfilling customer needs beyond their expectations by transforming their journeys into tangible value that enhances the customer experience,” said Saed Baseet, chief of Marketing and Customer Experience at Alrajhi Bank.

“We will continue to expand the Mokafaa partner network with top brands across various sectors,” he added.

Mokafaa has more than 450 partner brands across more than 30,000 physical locations in Saudi Arabia, according to Alrajhi Bank. Members can use accumulated points through participating partners, including via websites and mobile applications.

The partnership comes as flyadeal continues to expand its network and fleet. The carrier offers multiple fare options and digital booking through its website and mobile application, alongside additional travel services.

Etihad adds priority support for corporate travellers

Meanwhile, Etihad Airways has launched Corporate Care, an enhancement to its Etihad for Business programme aimed at providing eligible corporate customers with additional support during their journeys.

The service focuses particularly on situations involving travel disruption.

According to Etihad, eligible members can receive priority assistance with rebooking, protection of their flights in the event of an aircraft downgrade and consideration of seat preferences when an aircraft change occurs.

Corporate Care also includes dedicated account-management teams for participating organisations and closer coordination with travel management companies (TMCs).

Javier Alija, VP Sales, Digital and Distribution at Etihad Airways, said the service was designed to provide additional support when unexpected changes affect business travel.

“When it matters most, your business deserves more than support. It deserves priority,” Alija said. “Corporate Care is designed to give our Etihad for Business members an enhanced level of support and reassurance, particularly when unexpected disruption affects their travel plans.”

He said the combination of priority assistance, account management and coordination with TMC partners would help corporate customers manage disruptions.

Etihad said organisations interested in Corporate Care can contact their Etihad account manager to discuss the service and its application to their business travel requirements. Further information is also available through the Etihad for Business programme.

The initiatives from flyadeal and Etihad reflect two different approaches to the same broader shift in airline services: using partnerships and targeted programmes to address customer needs beyond the flight itself.

For flyadeal, the focus is on linking air travel with a banking loyalty ecosystem, while Etihad is targeting organisations that require additional support when business travel plans are disrupted. Both developments place greater emphasis on the services surrounding the journey as Gulf carriers compete for customers across leisure and corporate markets.