One of Apple’s most dramatic redesigns to date looks to be unfolding in front of our eyes, according to leaked images showing what appears to be the iPhone 17 Pro from Apple’s supply chain. The leaked metal frame, which suggests it was made from the same metal used to make the stainless steel Apple Watch case, hints that Apple is trying something new with the device, possibly doing away with the screen-oriented, signature square camera bump design that it’s favored for decades, to adopt instead a horizontal camera layout that would change, not only the look of the device, but also how it operates.
Images circulating on the Chinese social media platform Weibo show that the iPhone 17 Pro could be the most Apple-esque Apple yet, engaged in a bold stepback from the traditionally conservative company. The fact a camera module like this has become a staple for several generations of iPhones shows that Apple is now ready to embrace truly dramatic design changes.
Hold Up – This Camera Design is Something Else!
Dotted with a striking resemblance to the rumored Pixel 9 series, the iPhone 17 Pro’s leaked frame showcases a elongated horizontal camera opening. The visual changes don’t just look good, claim supply chain sources, they are partly driven by a need to fit the device’s front structured light system, implying significant technical improvements to the design.
But what’s interesting about this leak is what it could mean for the broader smartphone industry. If past behaviour holds true, the design of the iPhone 17 Pro may influence other brands to match suit. It’s repeated, again and again, like the removal of the headphone jack or the loss of in box chargers.
Here’s Where Things Get Really Interesting…
While there are no specifics regarding the design changes that will be carried through to the iPhone 17 Pro; respected tech leaker Digital Chat Station has corroborated the changes. It complicates matters further, giving another dimension to what could potentially be one of Apple’s most important design makeovers in the past few years.
This leak comes at the time when we’re previously reported that the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models would feature slightly bigger sizes over the current model iPhone 16 Pro. Such as such a large change in size and the new camera layout could be indicative of Apple’s move towards more advanced photography features, or even new AR/VR features.
Let’s Talk About What This Really Means
Particularly so, has been the tech industry’s reaction to the possibility of this change. The idea that the iPhone 17 Pro’s obvious horizontal camera layout is just for aesthetics seems a little touchy — it could foreshadow a wider technological refinement in smartphone camera design. The new setup could also allow room for larger sensors, more sophisticated array of lenses, or even a different type of camera that hasn’t really been discovered for use in smartphones.
As smartphone manufacturers look to differentiate their products more and more with camera capabilities, this is a change in design for the iPhone 17 Pro. While the square arrangement yields an easy way to figure out where the lens will end up, the horizontal layout might provide better weight distribution, improve stability for video recording, or even introduce new photography features that are available only with the current shape.
The Plot Thickens…
And source suggests that this won’t be the only design change though, with Apple being one. The leak suggests several Android manufacturers are already working with the same horizontal camera layout for their 2025 devices. It mirrors a recent industry trend in which the iPhone 17 Pro’s designs could influence the direction of the entire smartphone industry.
This design change is more than just aesthetic. With smartphones becoming more evolved photography tools, it is important to have the physical layout of their cameras. Apple’s new horizontal design could be a representation of their future of mobile photography, videography, possibly with an edge in terms of stability, sensor size and even lens set-up.
