Apple testing 7-inch display for its largest-ever Twentieth Anniversary iPhone
Apple has been internally testing a prototype 7-inch display for its largest-ever iPhone, according to supply-chain sources cited by leaker Digital Chat Station. The experimental screen, measuring about 6.96 inches diagonally with the same aspect ratio as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, is reportedly intended for the company’s upcoming 20th-anniversary iPhone, though no decision on mass production has been confirmed.
The aspect ratio reportedly matches that of the current iPhone 17 Pro Max, suggesting the increase in size comes from expanding the screen area rather than altering the display’s proportions. DCS described the panel as a “super-large screen with a physical size of 6.96 inches and a standard size of 7 inches,” highlighting the distinction between engineering measurements and consumer-facing marketing.
The prototype display measures approximately 6.96 inches diagonally but would be marketed as a 7-inch screen if it enters production, according to supply-chain sources cited by Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station (DCS).
Multiple reports link the prototype to Apple’s anticipated 20th-anniversary iPhone, expected to launch in 2027 to mark two decades since the original iPhone’s introduction in 2007. The display is widely speculated to be intended for the top-tier “iPhone 20 Pro Max,” which would become Apple’s largest-screen iPhone if the 7-inch design is adopted. MacRumors reported that Apple is testing the 6.96-inch panel internally “in preparation for the 20th anniversary iPhone,” while PhoneArena described the screen as “most likely part of Apple’s internal preparations” for the fall 2027 release. However, none of the reports confirm that the prototype will be used in the final product, noting that Apple frequently evaluates multiple hardware configurations before finalizing designs.
If adopted, the 7-inch display would surpass the current iPhone 17 Pro Max’s roughly 6.9-inch diagonal, setting a new record for Apple’s largest iPhone screen. 9to5Mac noted the increase is relatively small in absolute terms but sufficient to establish a new internal benchmark. MacDailyNews characterized the prototype as “pushing the boundaries of iPhone screen size” and placing the device firmly in phablet territory. PhoneArena described the upgrade as potentially controversial, given that a 7-inch iPhone may polarize users accustomed to smaller devices. Collectively, the reports frame the display size increase as a flagship-defining feature for the anniversary model.
Sources indicate the screen ratio remains consistent with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, suggesting the size gain results primarily from reduced bezels and possibly the use of advanced curved-edge technology rather than a radical redesign of the display’s shape. MacDailyNews reported that the aspect ratio consistency points to an expansion of the active display area. PhoneArena cited rumors that Apple may pursue a bezel-free, edge-to-edge design using curved glass on all sides to merge the display seamlessly with the chassis. Unlike earlier phones with curved screens, the rumored design aims to avoid image distortion on the edges, offering a user experience close to a flat display while eliminating visible bezels. Additional reporting suggests Apple is balancing the current Dynamic Island cutout with future hole-punch concepts, indicating that a truly all-screen, cutout-free design is unlikely before 2028.
The 20th-anniversary iPhone is expected to launch in 2027, with Bloomberg previously reporting that Apple is developing two sizes for the anniversary models, including a Pro Max variant that could incorporate the larger display. The 7-inch display rumor first surfaced publicly on July 21, 2026, when outlets such as MacRumors, MacDailyNews, PhoneArena, and 9to5Mac referenced DCS’s leak. Earlier in January 2026, reporting on Apple’s display roadmap for 2027–2028 highlighted that Dynamic Island-style cutouts were expected to persist through 2027, influencing how a larger screen could be implemented. The prototype testing aligns with Apple’s typical multi-year design and supply-chain validation cycles for major iPhone revisions.
The primary named source for the 7-inch display claim is Digital Chat Station, a Chinese leaker with a track record on smartphone hardware, who relayed information from supply-chain contacts. Major tech outlets including MacRumors, 9to5Mac, MacDailyNews, and PhoneArena have independently reported on DCS’s claim, providing contextual analysis without additional direct sourcing from Apple. None of the reports include official statements, press releases, or executive comments from Apple regarding the prototype or the anniversary model’s specifications. Coverage consistently emphasizes that the information is reportedly, rumored, or speculated, and notes Apple frequently tests multiple display configurations that may not reach final production.
Uncertainties remain regarding whether the 6.96-inch prototype will be selected for the final 20th-anniversary iPhone. 9to5Mac noted that DCS does not have firm information about the intended purpose of the new display and only speculates that it may be used in next year’s Pro Max-class iPhone. Earlier MacRumors reporting on Apple’s display roadmap indicated that a truly all-screen iPhone without visible cutouts is now expected closer to 2028, suggesting the anniversary device would likely retain some form of front-facing cutout. While rumors discuss edge-to-edge curved glass and a bezel-free appearance, these design elements remain unconfirmed by detailed technical specifications or manufacturing partners. The only verified facts are that Apple is reportedly testing a 6.96-inch (marketed as 7-inch) display internally, that this would be its largest-ever iPhone screen if used, and that no official confirmation exists regarding its implementation in the 20th-anniversary iPhone or any specific model name.
