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If you want the biggest screen you can get on an iPhone, whether for videos, reading, or bigger text that’s easier on the eyes, the answer depends on whether you count Apple’s new foldable. Here’s which iPhone has the largest screen today, how every current model compares, and the best big-screen choice on a budget.
Short answer: among regular iPhones, the iPhone 18 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro Max have the largest screens at 6.9 inches, the same size as the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple’s foldable iPhone Duo opens up to a 7.6-inch inner display, which is the biggest iPhone screen ever, but it’s a very different (and far more expensive) phone. For a big screen on a budget, look at an iPhone 16 Plus or 15 Plus (6.7 inches).
Last updated: October 2026. Sizes are Apple’s official diagonal measurements.
Current iPhones ranked by screen size
| iPhone | Screen size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Duo (foldable) | 7.6 in inside, 5.4 in outside | Opens like a small tablet |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 6.9 in | Largest non-folding iPhone |
| iPhone Air | 6.5 in | Very thin, lighter than a Pro Max |
| iPhone 18 Pro | 6.3 in | |
| iPhone 17 | 6.3 in | |
| iPhone 17e | 6.1 in | Smallest current model |
Apple’s lineup changes every September, and older models are often still sold by carriers and retailers, so you’ll also see the iPhone 17 Pro Max (6.9 inches) and the iPhone 16 family in stores.
Largest screen on older iPhones
If you’re buying used or refurbished, these are the big-screen models from recent years:
| iPhone | Screen size |
|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 6.9 in |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | 6.9 in |
| iPhone 16 Plus | 6.7 in |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Plus | 6.7 in |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Plus | 6.7 in |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro Max | 6.7 in |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS Max | 6.5 in |
| iPhone 8 Plus, 7 Plus, 6s Plus, 6 Plus | 5.5 in |
The jump from 6.7 to 6.9 inches came with the iPhone 16 Pro Max in 2024: Apple made the borders around the screen thinner, so the phone grew only slightly.
Screen size isn’t everything
Two phones with nearly the same diagonal can feel quite different:
- Thinner borders fit more screen in the same size of phone.
- The Dynamic Island (the pill-shaped cutout at the top) takes a little space on all recent models.
- Aspect ratio: all modern iPhones are tall and narrow, so a 6.9-inch iPhone is about as wide as a 6.7-inch one but taller.
- Weight: Pro Max models are the heaviest iPhones. If you’ll hold the phone for long periods, the lighter iPhone Air (6.5 inches) is worth trying in a store.
Plus vs. Pro Max: which big iPhone should you get?
| Plus models (6.7 in) | Pro Max models (6.9 in) | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | Large, 60Hz on older Plus models | Larger, smooth 120Hz ProMotion |
| Camera | Very good | Best (telephoto zoom, pro video) |
| Weight | Lighter | Heaviest iPhones |
| Price | Much lower | Highest |
| Battery | Excellent | Excellent |
If you mostly watch videos, browse and message, a Plus model gives you nearly the same big screen for far less. Choose a Pro Max if you want the best camera and the smoothest display.
How iPhone screen sizes are measured
Apple measures the screen diagonally, from corner to corner, as if it were a perfect rectangle. Because iPhone screens have rounded corners, the visible area is slightly smaller than the number suggests. That’s normal, and it applies to all phone makers.
Is the foldable iPhone Duo worth it for the screen?
The iPhone Duo is the first iPhone that folds. Closed, it’s a phone with a 5.4-inch outer screen; open, it becomes a 7.6-inch screen that’s great for reading, video and split-screen apps. It’s one of Apple’s most expensive iPhones, and foldable screens are generally more delicate than a regular iPhone screen and can show a faint crease. For most people who just want “big”, a Pro Max is the simpler choice.
The best big-screen iPhone for your budget
| Budget | Best pick | Screen |
|---|---|---|
| No limit | iPhone Duo or iPhone 18 Pro Max | 7.6 in / 6.9 in |
| High | iPhone 17 Pro Max (refurbished or from carriers) | 6.9 in |
| Mid | iPhone Air | 6.5 in |
| Lower | iPhone 16 Plus or 15 Plus (new from carriers or refurbished) | 6.7 in |
| Lowest | Refurbished iPhone 13 Pro Max or 14 Plus | 6.7 in |
The “Plus” models give you the large 6.7-inch screen without the Pro camera and price, and their batteries last a long time.
Make any iPhone screen easier to see
If you mainly want a bigger screen for readability, these free settings help on any iPhone:
- Larger text: Settings → Display & Brightness → Text Size, and turn on Bold Text.
- Display Zoom: Settings → Display & Brightness → Display Zoom → Larger Text. Everything on screen gets bigger, as if the phone had a lower resolution.
- Magnifier: use the built-in Magnifier app to zoom in on small print around you.
- Show it on a TV: for photos and videos, mirror your iPhone to a big screen. Here’s how to connect an iPhone to a TV.
The best big-screen iPhone for seniors or low vision
For older users or anyone with low vision, a bigger screen helps, but so do a few built-in features:
- Pick a 6.7- or 6.9-inch model (a Plus or Pro Max), so text and buttons are larger.
- Turn on Display Zoom and Larger Text (see above).
- Try Assistive Access (Settings → Accessibility → Assistive Access), a simplified mode with big buttons for calls, messages, camera and photos.
- Use Spoken Content to have the iPhone read text aloud: Settings → Accessibility → Spoken Content → Speak Screen, then swipe down with two fingers from the top.
A Plus model is usually the best value here: big, light enough, long battery life, and much cheaper than a Pro Max.
Bigger screen vs. battery life
Bigger iPhones also have bigger batteries. Pro Max and Plus models consistently last the longest on a charge, which is another reason many people choose them. The thin iPhone Air trades some battery life for its lighter weight.
Will a bigger iPhone fit my pocket and hand?
A 6.9-inch Pro Max is about 6.4 inches (16.3 cm) tall. If you have small hands, try Reachability: swipe down on the bottom edge of the screen to bring the top half within reach of your thumb. It’s on by default; check Settings → Accessibility → Touch → Reachability.
Thinking of switching to a big iPhone?
When you move to your new iPhone, transfer everything with Quick Start, and make a backup first. Here’s how to back up an iPhone. If you’re selling the old one, here’s how to factory reset an iPhone safely.
The short version
The iPhone 18 Pro Max and 17 Pro Max have the largest regular iPhone screens at 6.9 inches, matched by the older iPhone 16 Pro Max. The foldable iPhone Duo opens to 7.6 inches, the biggest iPhone screen yet, at a much higher price. On a budget, an iPhone 16 Plus, 15 Plus or 14 Plus gives you a 6.7-inch screen for less. And on any iPhone, Display Zoom and larger text make everything easier to read.
