Building the world's largest WORKING iPhone!

Project overview

Matt takes on a commissioned project from Aaron: build a giant iPhone-style phone to mark their channel approaching Apple’s subscriber count. The goal is for its screen, cameras, speakers, buttons, and other features to work—not just look convincing.

Display and touch system

• The display is an 88-inch, 8K OLED TV. Because it is not touch-enabled, the team adds custom capacitive touch foil.
• Placing the foil directly against the TV causes interference. An acrylic spacer fixes the touch issue, but air gaps make the image look washed out.
• Matt uses liquid optically clear adhesive (LOCA), which cures under UV light, to bond the layers and restore image clarity.
• The first attempt fails when adhesive enters the TV through its perimeter seal, damaging the internal electronics and ruining the display.
• For the replacement, Matt seals the gap with silicone, changes how the glue is applied, and has the touch foil professionally applied to an acrylic layer. The second screen works, with a clear image and functioning touch.
• A vinyl-cutting jig creates a neat black bezel around the display.

Frame, computing, and controls

A detailed SketchUp model guides the fabrication of a lightweight but rigid aluminium frame, including component mounts and cable openings. The TV’s original circuit boards are retained, and fans are added to manage heat.

A separate PC runs Bliss OS, an Android-based operating system compatible with the external touchscreen. Aaron’s team gives the interface an iOS-like appearance.

Oversized side buttons use air pistons to slow their movement and make them feel suitably massive. Custom 3D-printed button mechanisms are topped with machined aluminium caps. Aluminium perimeter pieces, magnetic covers, and a reinforced back panel complete the structure. Heavy-duty handles help move the finished device.

Cameras, lighting, and audio

• The main camera is a Canon R5 with a 28 mm lens, controlled remotely over Wi-Fi from the Android system.
• A Sony RX10 III provides long-range telephoto shots. A 45-degree mirror routes light into its lens, and a motorized mechanism adjusts the mirror’s view.
• The flashlight uses a 400-watt studio LED with water cooling, a focusing lens, and app-based brightness control with relay safeguards.
• The custom speaker system includes transmission-line subwoofers, midtone drivers in sealed enclosures, air-motion-transformer tweeters, and multichannel amplification. The subwoofer design aims to reproduce bass down to about 40 Hz.

Assembly and result

The completed phone is too heavy to move easily, so it is mounted on a motorized TV stand using a reinforced central truss and a car wheel hub. A custom magnetic power connector, dubbed “USB Pro Max,” and a concealed power button finish the build.

The device is demonstrated working, including its touchscreen, display, and rotating stand. Aaron sees it in person for the first time at the end. The creators say it may be a candidate for a world record, subject to the appropriate review process.

Guides and reviews

This is primarily a build-process feature, not a conventional product review. Matt notes that a separate channel video covers building speakers with similar techniques and includes plans. Aaron is expected to make a follow-up video using the giant phone.

Main speakers and sources

• Matt (DIY Perks): Builder and narrator
• Aaron: Commissioned the project and joins the final reveal
• Lamar: Advises on UV adhesive and helps with the software and LED controls