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| This 7-inch round display could appeal to makers and system integrators seeking a visually distinctive interface. |
For decades, the vast majority of displays have adhered to a strict rectangular doctrine. From the early CRT boxes to the edge-to-edge bezel-less screens of today, rectangles have dominated our digital lives. But what happens when you throw the rectangle out the window—quite literally?
Waveshare has just unveiled a hardware quirk that is bound to turn heads in the maker and development communities: a 7-inch circular LCD display. Designed for bespoke projects, retro-futuristic interfaces, and industrial applications where standard screens simply won’t fit, this new panel trades the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio for a perfect square housed in a circular format.
Here is everything you need to know about Waveshare’s latest foray into non-traditional displays.
A Perfect Circle: Design and Display Quality
Officially dubbed the 7inch 1080x1080 LCD, the headline feature is immediately apparent in its name. The display boasts a unique resolution of 1080 x 1080 pixels. While this creates a perfect square within the circular housing, the physical shape of the glass is a full circle, meaning the corners of the image will be clipped.
To ensure that circular image looks its best, Waveshare has equipped the unit with an IPS panel. This guarantees wide viewing angles of up to 160 degrees, ensuring that colors and contrast remain consistent even when the display isn't viewed head-on.
However, the most impressive technical specification is the brightness. Peaking at 800 nits, this screen is designed to be readable even in brightly lit environments or direct sunlight—a critical feature for outdoor kiosks or dashboard applications.
Durability has also been a key focus. The front features 6H toughened glass, making it highly resistant to scratches and impacts. Furthermore, Waveshare has utilized optical bonding. This process fills the gap between the cover glass and the LCD panel, minimizing internal reflections, improving image clarity, and preventing dust from seeping into the display over time.
Connectivity and Controls: Built for Makers
Turning the unit over reveals a robust PCB designed with the hardware hobbyist in mind. Unlike simple monitors that dangle by a single cable, this display is built to integrate physically with single-board computers.
- Raspberry Pi Mounting: The PCB includes standoffs specifically designed for mounting a Raspberry Pi directly onto the back of the display, creating a compact, all-in-one unit.
- Video Input: It utilizes a standard HDMI port for video input, ensuring broad compatibility with virtually any computer, from Windows PCs to development boards.
- Power and Touch: A dual USB-C interface handles both touch data and power delivery, simplifying the cable management.
- Audio Output: Interestingly, the rear PCB also features a 3.5mm audio output jack and a 4-pin speaker header, allowing the display to serve as an AV hub for media projects.
- Physical Controls: Two physical buttons are present on the rear—one for power and one for screen rotation—alongside software controls for adjusting the display brightness.
The capacitive touch panel supports up to 10 simultaneous touch points, making it suitable for complex gesture controls, provided the software supports it.
The Software Reality Check
While the hardware is undoubtedly impressive, potential buyers need to be aware of the software ecosystem before hitting the purchase button.
Waveshare states that the display supports driver-free plug-and-play operation with a wide range of devices, including Raspberry Pi, Jetson boards, and Windows PCs. However, there is a significant asterisk attached to that compatibility.
The "Single Touch" Limitation
While the hardware supports 10-point touch, full multi-touch functionality is not universal. Waveshare explicitly notes that operating systems like Ubuntu, Kali, Windows 10 IoT, and the Nvidia Jetson series will only support single-point touch. If your project relies on pinch-to-zoom or multi-finger gestures on these specific platforms, you may be disappointed.
The Square Aspect Ratio Challenge
The biggest hurdle for most users will be the 1080x1080 square resolution within a circular mask. Most operating systems and standard desktop environments are designed for rectangular output. Connecting this display to a standard Windows laptop or a Raspberry Pi running the default desktop will likely result in clipped corners and strange scaling issues unless custom software is developed to manage the output.
This is not a monitor for browsing the web or writing documents. It is a niche product built for custom UI projects. Think smart home dashboards, retro-styled clock interfaces, or specialized industrial controls.
A Note on Documentation
Waveshare is known for providing extensive wikis and software support for their products. However, as of launch, the software support for this specific 7-inch circular display is noted as "still under development." Early adopters should be prepared to dig into the code or wait for community-driven solutions to emerge.
Pricing and Availability
The Waveshare 7-inch round display is available for purchase now. It is listed on the official Waveshare store for $159.99.
For those looking to source the unit, you can find the official product page and purchasing link here:
Purchase the Waveshare 7inch 1080x1080 LCD from the Official Store
Additionally, the unit appears to be surfacing on global marketplaces for buyers in different regions:
Check Availability on AliExpress
Summary
The Waveshare 7-inch 1080x1080 LCD is a testament to the diversity of the hardware world. It is not a replacement for your main monitor, nor is it trying to be. It is a specialized tool for a specific aesthetic and functional purpose. With its ultra-high brightness, durable glass, and square format, it is the perfect centerpiece for a maker project that demands to be different—provided you are ready to code the interface to fit the circle.
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| Waveshare 7-inch rounded display front layout |
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| Rear PCB layout showing HDMI, USB-C touch/power, audio jack, and speaker header. |