It’s big. Seriously. If you pick up an iPhone 7 Plus today, the first thing you notice isn't the software or the home button; it’s how much space this thing takes up in your palm. Back in 2016, Apple was still leaning into the "Plus" philosophy, which basically meant taking the standard iPhone and stretching it until it barely fit in a pair of skinny jeans. The iPhone 7 Plus size was a turning point for mobile ergonomics, and honestly, we’re still feeling the ripples of that design choice today.
Most people think of phone size in terms of the screen. That's a mistake. With this specific model, the physical footprint is a totally different beast than the 5.5-inch display would suggest. You’ve got these massive "forehead" and "chin" bezels that make the device feel taller than modern phones with 6.7-inch screens. It’s a bit of a paradox. You’re holding a giant slab of aluminum, but the actual usable digital real estate is smaller than what you’d get on a much more compact iPhone 15 or 16 Pro.
Understanding the iPhone 7 Plus size vs. Modern Phablets
Let's get into the weeds of the dimensions because the numbers tell a wild story. The device measures 6.23 inches in height and 3.07 inches in width. It’s thin, though—just 7.3mm. When you compare that to a modern beast like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the 7 Plus is actually wider. Can you believe that? A phone from a decade ago feels "girthier" in the hand than the current flagship. That's because Apple hadn't yet mastered the edge-to-edge display. Those side rails and the capacitive Home Button take up a lot of physical room.
The weight matters too. At 188 grams, it’s not the heaviest phone Apple ever made, but because of how the weight is distributed across that wide 158.2mm frame, it feels substantial. It feels like a tool. I remember when Phil Schiller introduced it; the focus was on the camera, but the size was the trade-off you had to accept to get that dual-lens system. You wanted the "Portrait Mode" bokeh? You had to deal with a phone that required two hands for almost every task.
The Pocketability Problem
If you’re wearing loose chinos, you’re fine. If you’re a fan of fitted denim? Good luck. The iPhone 7 Plus size makes it prone to "peeking" out of pockets. It’s the height that usually does it. Because the corners are rounded, it slides in easily, but that 6.23-inch length means it’s always pressing against your hip when you sit down.
- Reachability: Even with the "Reachability" double-tap gesture on the Home Button, hitting the top-left corner is a thumb-stretching nightmare.
- Stability: Because it’s so thin and wide, it can feel a bit slippery. The matte Black and Jet Black finishes changed the grip, with the Jet Black being surprisingly "sticky" in a good way, while the matte version felt like a piece of dry soap.
- Case bulk: Add a rugged case to this, and you’re basically carrying a tablet.
Why the screen-to-body ratio feels so dated
The display is a 5.5-inch Retina HD panel. By today’s standards, a 5.5-inch screen sounds "mini." For context, the "small" iPhone 13 mini had a 5.4-inch screen. But the iPhone 7 Plus size is vastly larger than an iPhone 13 mini. This is where the screen-to-body ratio becomes the most important metric you've probably never looked at. The 7 Plus has a ratio of about 67.7%. Modern iPhones are pushing 88% or 90%.
Think about that. Nearly a third of the front of your phone is just... dead space. It’s aluminum and glass that does nothing but house the speaker and the Touch ID sensor. When you watch a 16:9 video, it looks great because the screen is the perfect aspect ratio for it. No notches. No Dynamic Island. No hole punches. Just a perfect rectangle. There’s a certain "purity" to that, even if it means the phone is huge.
Comparing the Footprint to the iPhone 15/16 Series
If you put an iPhone 7 Plus next to a modern 6.1-inch iPhone 15, the 7 Plus towers over it. It’s taller, wider, and feels more cumbersome. It’s a relic of an era where we thought the only way to get a big screen was to build a big phone. We were wrong, of course. Engineering caught up. But for people with larger hands, that extra width on the 7 Plus is actually more comfortable for typing. Your thumbs have more "travel" distance, which can lead to fewer typos compared to the narrower, taller screens we use now.
The Ergonomics of the Home Button
We have to talk about the button. It’s not actually a button. It’s a solid-state haptic engine that vibrates to mimic a click. This was a genius move by Apple to help with water resistance (IP67 rating), but it required a massive "chin" at the bottom of the device. This chin is the primary reason the iPhone 7 Plus size is so polarizing.
If you’re gaming, that chin is actually great. It gives your thumbs a place to rest without blocking the screen. It’s a "handle." Landscape mode on this phone feels more deliberate than on an all-screen device where your palms are constantly accidental-touching the edges of the display. But for scrolling Instagram? It's just extra weight you're balancing on your pinky finger. Pinky fatigue is a very real thing with this model.
Does it still hold up for media?
Surprisingly, yes. The 1080p resolution (401 ppi) is still sharp enough that most people can't see the pixels. Because the phone is so wide, holding it in landscape for a movie feels balanced. The stereo speakers—one in the earpiece and one at the bottom—were a first for Apple with this generation. They take advantage of that internal volume. A bigger body allows for more resonance. It sounds fuller than the standard iPhone 7.
The actual specs of the iPhone 7 Plus size
- Height: 158.2 mm (6.23 inches)
- Width: 77.9 mm (3.07 inches)
- Depth: 7.3 mm (0.29 inches)
- Weight: 188 grams (6.63 ounces)
- Display: 5.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen LCD
- Resolution: 1920-by-1080-pixel resolution at 401 ppi
It's a "classic" shape. It’s the same basic footprint Apple used from the 6 Plus all the way through the 8 Plus. They stuck with this size for four years because it worked. It was the "pro" choice before the "Pro" branding existed. If you’re looking at buying a used one or just reminiscing about the tech, you have to respect the sheer audacity of this design. It didn’t try to hide its size. It leaned into it.
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Practical advice for handling a device this size
If you're still using one or considering a refurbished model for a backup, you need to be smart about it.
First, get a "loopy" case or a PopSocket. The width of the iPhone 7 Plus size makes it hard to wrap your hand all the way around, especially if you have average-sized hands. A grip accessory changes the game. It moves the weight from your pinky to your whole hand.
Second, embrace the landscape. This phone was designed when Apple thought "horizontal" was the future of the UI. Many apps on the 7 Plus actually have a split-view mode in landscape—like Mail or Calendar—that you don't even get on the standard Pro models today. It’s basically a mini-iPad.
Third, check your battery health. A phone this big has a decent-sized battery (2900 mAh), but the 16nm A10 Fusion chip isn't as efficient as modern silicon. If the battery is degraded, the phone will feel heavy for no reason because it won't even last the whole day. A fresh battery makes that bulk feel worth it again.
The iPhone 7 Plus size is a monument to a specific era of tech. It’s the peak of the "Bezel Era." While it might feel like a "brick" compared to the sleek, narrow designs of 2026, there’s a sturdiness to it that’s hard to find anymore. It’s a wide-screen, thumb-stretching, pocket-bulging piece of history. And honestly? It’s still kind of great.
Next Steps for Users
- Measure your current device: Compare your current phone’s width (in mm) to the 77.9mm of the 7 Plus to see if you can handle the extra girth.
- Test the weight: If you’re sensitive to wrist strain, remember that 188g is the baseline; a case will push this over 210g easily.
- Evaluate your usage: If you watch a lot of 16:9 content (YouTube), this size is actually superior to many modern "tall" phones that letterbox the video.
- Check your pockets: If you primarily wear tight clothing, look for a more modern "Mini" or base model iPhone, as the 7 Plus length is the most common cause of "pocket-drop" accidents.