Apple is largely expected to break away from the incremental design updates we’ve seen since the iPhone 12 Pro era, barring the introduction of the Dynamic Island. For the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, particularly the iPhone 17 Pro models, all signs point towards a significant and potentially controversial redesign focused on the camera system.
Recent leaks strongly suggest Apple is ditching the familiar square camera block in favor of a new horizontal camera bar, a move that promises to give the next generation of iPhones a distinct look compared to their predecessors.
The latest evidence supporting this major design shift comes from leaker Majin Bu, who shared images on X showcasing purported marketing materials for third-party iPhone 17 Pro cases. These images clearly depict an elongated, rectangular camera module stretching across the top portion of the phone’s back.
Consistent with earlier leaks, including those from Sonny Dickson, the triple-lens camera setup is positioned on the left side of this new bar, while the LED flash and LiDAR sensor are relocated to the right side. The leaked case photos themselves, appearing in several pastel-like shades such as off-white, light blue, light green, light purple, and charcoal gray, give us a tangible glimpse of how this redesigned iPhone 17 Pro might look when protected.
While the overall shape of the cases appears fairly standard, the standout feature is undeniably the large cutout for this new camera bar. This design is certainly a departure and has been described as polarizing, especially considering how different renders have looked for various models within the potential iPhone 17 family. However, the consistency across multiple leaks, often originating from case manufacturers who receive device dimensions ahead of launch, lends significant credibility to the idea that this horizontal camera bar is indeed the direction Apple is heading for the iPhone 17 Pro.
Interestingly, this expansive new camera bar design could open the door for enhanced personalization. Majin Bu followed up his initial leak with images of custom camera covers designed specifically for this wider module. Unlike current camera lens protectors which are primarily functional due to limited space, the iPhone 17 Pro’s bar offers a much larger canvas. The examples shared show potential for intricate and colorful designs, allowing users to potentially mix and match cases and camera covers for a truly unique look, adding a new dimension to iPhone customization.
Beyond the radical aesthetic changes, the iPhone 17 Pro is also rumored to pack significant internal upgrades that could make it a substantial leap forward. Whispers suggest improvements like a notable RAM increase, potentially an additional 4GB, alongside advancements such as an improved telephoto lens, faster charging capabilities, and potentially even a new vapor chamber cooling system for better thermal management. Naturally, we also expect the debut of the A19 Pro chip, likely built on a 3nm process, which should deliver the customary boosts in performance and power efficiency.
With the iPhone 17 family anticipated to launch this September, this combination of a bold redesign and internal enhancements could make it a particularly compelling upgrade for many users.
