Apple will fundamentally revise the design of the iPhone this year. This is evident from several leaks that already reveal some details about the iPhone 17 series. Particularly striking is the new camera arrangement, which extends into a wide, rectangular bar. While the iPhone 17 Air is supposed to be ultra-thin, the Pro models will have a housing made of a combination of titanium, aluminum and glass. A foldable model is also being discussed.
Every year Apple develops the iPhone further, but this time the changes seem to be more significant than in previous years. Several leakers have published information in recent months that point to a revised design and new materials. The back of the camera is said to have a completely new look and with the iPhone 17 Air, Apple could launch an ultra-thin model for the first time. The changes indicate that Apple is breaking new ground with the iPhone 17 series, not only visually but also technically.
A completely new camera arrangement
One of the biggest differences to the current iPhone generation concerns the camera. According to the Weibo leaker According to "Digital Chat Station," the iPhone 17 Air will have a horizontal, bar-shaped camera bar that extends across the back. The Pro models will also no longer have the usual camera island, but a large, rectangular camera design that extends across the entire upper back. A rendering by Jon Prosser showsthat the three camera lenses of the Pro models will continue to sit in a triangular arrangement, but will be integrated into a rectangular camera bar. This could give the iPhone 17 a visual change that is significantly different from previous models.
Aluminum and glass instead of just glass
As early as the end of 2024, there were reports that Apple was changing the choice of materials for the iPhone 17 Pro models. According to Wayne Ma of The Information, the back will be made of two different materials:
- The upper half of the case is made of aluminum and contains the new, rectangular camera bar.
- The bottom half remains made of glass to continue to allow wireless charging.
This combination could make the device more robust without fundamentally changing the design. However, the larger camera bump is likely to mean that the iPhone 17 Pro feels different in the hand than previous models.
The iPhone 17 Air is said to be ultra-thin
In addition to the changes to the Pro models, Apple could introduce a new category with the iPhone 17 Air. According to current leaks, the device is said to be particularly thin and light. A horizontal camera bar is also expected here, but with a reduced number of lenses. This suggests that Apple wants to position the Air variant as a particularly slim and light iPhone that differs from the Pro and standard models.
A foldable iPhone could be in the works
In addition to the information about the iPhone 17 series, there are rumors that Apple is working on a foldable iPhone. The Weibo leaker suggested that such a model is in development and could shake up the market for foldable smartphones. However, there are no exact details or a possible release date yet. If Apple is actually planning a foldable, it could be positioned as a direct competitor to the foldable models from Samsung and Google.
When will the iPhone 17 be released?
As in previous years, Apple is expected to introduce the new iPhone generation in fall 2025, probably in September. Until then, more leaks and insider information are expected that could reveal even more details about the new models.
Apple breaks new ground: The iPhone 17 brings major design changes
The iPhone 17 brings some of the biggest design changes in years. The new camera arrangement, the revised material concept with aluminum and glass and the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air make the next iPhone generation particularly exciting. Anyone planning to switch to a new iPhone should take a closer look at the upcoming models. The rumors about a possible foldable iPhone also show that Apple is continuing to work on new form factors. Until the official launch, it remains to be seen which of the leaks actually come true. But there are already many indications that the iPhone 17 will be one of the most striking updates in recent years. (Photo by Unsplash+ / Sandra Seitamaa)
- iOS 18.5: Apple is testing a new update – what you need to know
- iPhone SE 4 will be iPhone 16E? Tim Cook's tweet suggests it
