Apple Testing 7-Inch Display for Largest 20th Anniversary iPhone Model
Apple is currently prototyping a 7-inch display for its upcoming 20th anniversary iPhone, expected in September 2027. The device, internally codenamed "Glasswing," aims for an all-glass design with quad-curved edges, solid-state buttons, and potential under-display Face ID, as industry leaks and supply chain reports continue to shape expectations for the launch.
Prototyping the 7-inch Anniversary Model
As Apple prepares for the 20th anniversary of its signature smartphone, the company is testing a larger display panel measuring approximately 6.96 inches. While Apple has not confirmed that this specific display will reach production, it would likely be marketed as a 7-inch screen. The leaker noted that the screen ratio is identical to the current iPhone 17 Pro Max, though whether the display is ultimately utilized in the iPhone 20 Pro Max remains unconfirmed.
The development follows a recent trend of display growth for the Pro Max line. Apple expanded its premium display sizes in 2024 with the iPhone 16 Pro lineup, moving from 6.1 to 6.3 inches and from 6.7 to 6.9 inches respectively, thanks to slimmer bezels and larger chassis dimensions. The potential move to a 7-inch panel for the 2027 model suggests a continuation of this trajectory, though the anniversary device remains in the development phase. Bloomberg reported last month that Apple had already begun ramping up work on two sizes of the 20th anniversary iPhone.
Mark Gurman Details the Glasswing Design Language
The "Glasswing" Design Philosophy
Internal development for the anniversary phone is reportedly codenamed "Glasswing," a reference to the glasswing butterfly known for its transparent wings. According to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, this project represents the culmination of Apple’s long-standing design goal: a device that looks like a single piece of glass with a picture living inside it.
The design language involves a quad-curved display that bends away on all four sides to conceal the metal frame, effectively making it disappear. To achieve this, Apple is working with Samsung Display on a four-sided micro-curved panel. Unlike the dramatic waterfall displays seen on some Android devices, Digital Chat Station describes this as a measured curve, which is intended to avoid the distortion and accidental palm inputs often associated with more aggressive designs. To complement the front, leaker "Fixed Focus Digital" reported that Apple is bringing back a full glass rear panel, abandoning the aluminum used on recent models to maintain the aesthetic of a seamless glass object.
Samsung Display and Engineering Hurdles for 2027
Engineering Hurdles and Component Changes
The path to an uninterrupted glass surface requires significant engineering changes, some of which remain uncertain for the 2027 release window. Apple is testing technology to place Face ID hardware and the front-facing camera beneath the display, a move that would eliminate the need for a notch, Dynamic Island, or any cutout. However, it remains unclear whether this technology will be ready by autumn 2027.
The technical roadmap for the anniversary model includes several specific upgrades:
- Solid-State Controls: Apple may ditch mechanical volume and power buttons entirely, swapping them for solid-state controls with haptic feedback. This change is intended to provide better water and dust sealing and fewer moving parts.
- COE OLED Technology: The panel is expected to use Samsung’s Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE) tech, which drops the traditional polarizer layer to result in a thinner, brighter, and more power-efficient screen.
- Advanced Internals: Reports suggest the inclusion of an A21 processor, manufactured using a second-generation 2-nanometer process. Furthermore, the company is considering the use of silicon anode battery technology, which could increase energy capacity without increasing the battery’s physical size, alongside vertically stacked DRAM for improved artificial intelligence performance.
Fixed Focus Digital Reports on iPhone 20 Pricing
Market Positioning and Price Expectations
While industry observers refer to the device as the iPhone 20, the final branding is not yet confirmed. The device is expected to be released in two sizes, with displays measuring approximately 6.3 and 6.9 inches, alongside the possibility of the larger 7-inch prototype.
Consumers should also prepare for potential shifts in pricing. Additionally, Apple’s product plans for 2027 include the iPhone 18e, which is expected to retain the 60Hz LTPS TFT panel used in the current iPhone 17e.
Sources: Macrumors, WiFi Planet.
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