The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to feature a significant redesign, particularly in its camera configuration. According to recent leaks, the iPhone 17 Pro will house its three rear cameras in a new rectangular camera bar with rounded corners. This is a departure from the previous generations, in which cameras were typically situated in a more traditional pill-shaped or square bump.
The camera bar will be much larger than earlier concepts suggested, with the lenses on the left and the LED flash, rear microphone, and LiDAR scanner stacked vertically on the right. The iPhone 17 Pro will also feature a two-tone finish, with the camera bar darker than the remainder of the back shell. It is unclear if this new design has any technical advantages or if it is largely a style choice.
Jon Prosser, a well-known tech leaker, states that his info comes from multiple sources familiar with the design of the iPhone 17 Pro and that he’s seen the phone himself. Prosser has a mixed track record when it comes to Apple rumors, accurately predicting the design of the AirTag and iPad mini 6 but also wrongly predicting that the Apple Watch Series 7 would feature flat edges.
The redesigned camera module is probably headed to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, although Prosser didn’t mention this. There have been rumors of the ultra-thin “iPhone 17 Air” receiving the same camera bar as well, but with only one lens. It’s unknown if the standard iPhone 17 will take on this design.
Google’s Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro also feature a rear camera bar, though with horizontally placed lenses instead of in a triangle. Apple will probably introduce the iPhone 17 series this September, and additional design-wise rumors should surface prior to then.
In addition to the camera refresh, the iPhone 17 Pro is also speculated to return to curved sides, a significant departure from recent editions. The modifications are all component of a larger effort to overhaul the iPhone family of products, which may behold thinner designs like the iPhone 17 Air and advancements to screen tech, incorporating faster refresh rates throughout.
The iPhone 17 series is also rumored to feature a 120Hz display across the board, which would be an upgrade for the non-Pro models that are currently limited to a 60Hz refresh rate. There are also suggestions of a better front-facing camera, potentially up to 24 megapixels from the current 12 megapixels on the iPhone 16 series. These changes are aimed at enhancing both the looks and functionality of the new iPhones.
