A larger iPhone could be part of Apple’s biggest redesign in years.
Apple is reportedly testing what could be the largest display ever on an iPhone as the company prepares for its expected 20th-anniversary lineup in 2027.
According to Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple is internally evaluating a display measuring about 6.96 inches. If it reaches production, the company would likely market it as a 7-inch screen. The report says the prototype keeps the same aspect ratio as the current iPhone 17 Pro Max, although it remains unclear whether the panel will appear in the final device.
The claim follows earlier reporting from Bloomberg that Apple has increased work on two versions of its anniversary iPhone, fueling expectations that the company is preparing a significant redesign for the milestone release.
Bigger screen could accompany broader redesign
Reports from multiple outlets suggest the anniversary iPhone may feature an edge-to-edge display with glass that curves around all four sides, creating an almost borderless appearance.
While Apple has not confirmed any plans, rumors have also pointed to other hardware changes, including a redesigned chassis and a display with much slimmer bezels. Some reports have also speculated about solid-state buttons and under-display Face ID, though those features remain unconfirmed.
Digital Chat Station said Apple is still testing the larger display and that “whether the display is ultimately used” has not been decided, according to MacRumors.
Only a modest increase in size
If Apple adopts the prototype, the increase would be relatively small.
The current iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch display, meaning the rumored 6.96-inch panel would add only a fraction of an inch diagonally. AppleInsider noted that screen measurements are taken diagonally, making the increase roughly 2% larger than today’s model.
Apple last expanded the size of its premium iPhones with the iPhone 16 Pro lineup in 2024, increasing the Pro from 6.1 inches to 6.3 inches and the Pro Max from 6.7 inches to 6.9 inches through slimmer bezels and slightly larger bodies.
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What the rumor could mean
Even if Apple is testing the display, that does not guarantee it will appear in a shipping product. Apple is known to prototype multiple hardware designs before selecting the final version.
Still, the report aligns with a growing number of rumors suggesting Apple wants its 20th-anniversary iPhone to serve as a major design milestone, similar to how the iPhone X reshaped the lineup for the product’s 10th anniversary.
A larger display alone is unlikely to transform the user experience. However, if it arrives alongside a nearly bezel-free design, the extra screen space could help Apple create a more immersive device without making it significantly harder to hold. The challenge will be balancing a bigger display with comfort, battery life, durability, and manufacturing complexity.
For consumers, the rumor is an early sign that Apple may be focusing on design innovation rather than simply increasing screen size. For Apple, the anniversary model could become an opportunity to encourage upgrades from users who have held onto older iPhones, though any final hardware decisions are still subject to change.
Also read: A leaked diagnostics log suggests the iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature a Sony IMX905 sensor and Apple’s first variable-aperture camera.