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New dummy models provide a first glimpse of what the iPhone 17 will look like. Apple leaker Sonny Dickson has published images showing various models of the upcoming iPhone generation. Notable changes include the thickness of the devices, a slightly adjusted Dynamic Island, and the return of MagSafe in all variants. The camera bumps have also been redesigned, but without any major surprises. The leaks provide a closer look at the design of the new models and hint at possible technical innovations.
Every year, months before the official launch of the new iPhones, dummy models emerge, roughly showing what the devices will look like. These aren't working smartphones, but rather case mockups that primarily reveal details about the design and construction. Sonny Dickson's images confirm that Apple is planning several changes, including an extra-thin iPhone 17 Air and significantly bulkier Pro models.
The iPhone 17 Air will be particularly thin
One of the most noticeable changes concerns the iPhone 17 Air. The model will be very thin, probably the slimmest iPhone in the entire series. There was speculation that Apple might do without MagSafe in this model, as the wireless charging system may not work well in extremely thin cases. However, the leak shows that the iPhone 17 Air will also offer MagSafe. This means that accessories such as MagSafe chargers and wallets will still be compatible. Another detail concerns the Dynamic Island. While the selfie camera on previous iPhones was located on the right side of the pill-shaped cutout, the iPhone 17 Air now has it on the left. However, this only affects this model, while the other variants retain the usual arrangement.
The iPhone 17 retains the familiar design
According to the dummy images, the standard model, the iPhone 17, doesn't show any major design changes. It has a similar thickness to its predecessor and is likely to remain largely the same in terms of proportions. The camera bump also doesn't appear to be fundamentally altered.
The Pro models are getting thicker
A big difference can be seen in the Pro models. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be significantly thicker than their predecessors. This could indicate that Apple is installing larger batteries or planning improvements to its camera technology. The exact reasons for the increase in thickness are still unclear, but it's possible that Apple is integrating new sensors or improved image stabilization. The design of the camera bumps is reminiscent of previous models. There's no fundamentally new lens arrangement, so the appearance doesn't change dramatically. However, the images confirm that Apple continues to rely on large camera modules, especially in the Pro variants.
MagSafe is back in all models
Another important insight from the dummy models is that Apple is integrating MagSafe into all iPhone 17 models. Apple omitted the magnetic charging system from the iPhone 16e, leading to speculation that it might gradually disappear from certain models. However, the current leak shows that all iPhone 17 models, from the Air to the Pro Max, will support MagSafe. This preserves Apple's accessory ecosystem.
The iPhone 17 brings subtle but important changes
The leaks show that Apple is planning some changes without completely overhauling the design. The iPhone 17 Air will be particularly thin, but will retain MagSafe. The Pro models will be thicker, presumably due to new hardware. The standard model will remain largely unchanged. MagSafe is back in all models, and there are minor adjustments to the Dynamic Island. How these design changes will affect usability will only become clear after the official launch. Until then, the dummy models at least provide a first taste of what Apple has planned for the iPhone 17 series. Our Amazon Storefront: The best products for your smart home and much more! (Photo by Unsplash / Giorgio Trovato)
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