Apple is testing a 6.96-inch display for its 20th anniversary iPhone, expected to be marketed as a 7-inch screen upon its projected fall 2027 release.
The device, widely referred to as the iPhone 20, is planned as a complete design overhaul echoing the 10th anniversary iPhone X.
All-Glass Design and Display
The milestone smartphone is expected to feature a quad-curved, all-glass design with shallow micro-curves wrapping around all four edges.
The optical setup may rely on refraction, light-guiding structures, and ultra-thin bezels to give the illusion of a seamless glass slab, potentially marketed under the name Liquid Glass Display.
Tech leaker Digital Chat Station stated on Weibo that Apple is proofing a super-large screen with a physical size of 6.96 inches and a standard size of 7 inches.
The leaker noted that the screen retains an aspect ratio similar to the current iPhone 17 Pro Max, allowing comfortable ergonomics despite the increased visual area.
Industry analyst Mark Gurman reported that the flagship handset will run on a 2nm A21 processor to support on-device AI functionality while maintaining thermal management through a polished frame.
Solid-State Haptic Buttons and Under-Display Camera
Alongside display modifications, Apple is reviving its long-shelved Project Bongo effort to implement solid-state haptic buttons.
The pressure-sensitive controls for power, volume, Action, and Camera Control will eliminate physical frame openings, utilizing an ultra-low energy microprocessor to remain functional even when the handset battery is fully depleted.
Engineering efforts are ongoing to embed the Face ID hardware and selfie camera directly beneath the front glass panel using a micro-transparent glass window.
The 20th anniversary model is slated to launch alongside Apple's second-generation foldable smartphone and new camera-equipped AirPods in late 2027.
