The Latest Report Brings a Fresh Turn in the iPhone 17 Pro Design Narrative from Apple
The Latest Report Brings a Fresh Turn in the iPhone 17 Pro Design Narrative from Apple
Updated Dec. 21 with additional insights regarding the iPhone 17 series design.
What will the upcoming iPhone models be like? A recent disclosure about the design of the iPhone 17 series suggested that the cameras would be set up in an innovative configuration. This revelation caught people's attention considering it came from a source with a decent history of accuracy. However, a recent contradiction of these claims has left many questioning whether the earlier report was indeed accurate.
For instance, one report suggests, "The standard iPhone 17 is still in the works, but an iPhone 17 Plus will not be released this year. Apple also plans to sell the iPhone 17 Air in addition to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max variants. This year, we're anticipating some modifications to their designs as well. The iPhone 17 Air might feature a half-aluminum and half-glass back casing, which could enhance durability, and its camera setup might get a revamp," as mentioned in a MacRumors post, complete with an image showcasing the hybrid panel.
The image presented in this report depicts a novel arrangement of cameras on the rear edge, creating a vertical line of lenses. While the combination of materials on the back of the iPhone 17 Air is not unheard of, I must admit that this setup fails to excite me. Although interesting, it lacks the remarkable charm that Apple's impressive design etched into each of its devices.
Additionally, this design bears a striking resemblance to its main competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Having the same design as its competitor is not something Apple is likely to embrace, given its strong desire to make its devices stand out from the crowd.
The original report from the Weibo user, Digital Chat Station, presented an image of an iPhone with a solitary row of cameras on the upper edge of the phone. Although the renders were based on speculations rather than any leaked images, they appeared convincing enough.
A horizontal line of cameras might look aesthetically pleasing, but it does raises concerns. The iPhone 15 Pro’s current triangle of lenses, for instance, works well because of their equidistant placement, which facilitates transitioning smoothly between different lenses.
As Ben Lovejoy from 9to5Mac explains, if a shift towards a straight line of lenses was indeed coming, a vertical line would be more appropriate, considering "most pictures and videos are shot in landscape mode." And as discussed below, vertical lenses, like those on the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro, allow for capturing Spatial Video that can be played back on the Vision Pro.
Initially, there were suggestions of an iPhone with a horizontal row of cameras, instead of the triangular arrangement on the iPhone 16 Pro. This design choice would have the consequence of making the device look strikingly similar to the Google Pixel 9 Pro. Some were skeptical of this possibility, but further reports were needed for confirmation.
Now, a post on Weibo from regular leaker Instant Digital, who enjoys a strong but not flawless reputation, challenges the former report, stating, "My source informs me that the back appearance is indeed different, but the placement of the three cameras will remain triangular, not the horizontal row currently trending on the internet."
This report aligns better with expectations, given the familiarity of the triangular configuration and the preservation of its ability to record Spatial Video in landscape mode. It would be astonishing if Apple were to abandon this feature for the foreseeable future.
However, the report lacks clarity about the exact nature of the back differences expected in 2025. Given the expanded screen sizes of the current Pro models compared to their predecessors, I expect the display's size to remain the same in the coming years. This leaves room for design changes in other areas.
One rumor hints at an aluminum-covered camera module rather than the usual glass finish. While the rear of the iPhone would still be predominantly made of glass, the omission of an aluminum-coated camera area would jeopardize wireless charging, a feature highly unlikely to disappear any time soon.
- Regarding the iPhone 17 Pro, the latest news suggests a continuation of the triangular camera arrangement, contrary to previous rumors of a horizontal line.
- The design of the iPhone 17 series, including the iPhone 17 Pro, is highly anticipated, especially after the innovative camera setup revealed in an earlier report.
- Apple, known for its unique iPhone design, might opt for an aluminum-covered camera module in the iPhone 17, a deviation from its usual glass finish, according to some rumors.
- Speculations suggest that the iPhone 17 Pro might maintain the triangular camera setup, ensuring compatibility with Spatial Video and avoiding resemblance to competitors' designs.