Apple's iPhone 17 lineup is shaping up to introduce one of the most noticeable design overhauls in recent years, with a fresh approach to its camera system. Recent CAD leaks suggest Apple is moving toward a horizontal camera layout, a departure from the vertical and square bump designs that have defined past models.
Among the most significant changes is the rumored iPhone 17 Air, a slimmer and lighter device expected to replace the Plus model. The CAD images depict an ultra-thin frame, which could limit the available space for internal components. Reports indicate that Apple may opt for a single rear camera to accommodate the new design, possibly featuring the same 48-megapixel Wide sensor found in the iPhone 16 series. This shift raises questions about whether the device will support spatial video, a feature currently reliant on multiple lenses.
Meanwhile, Apple's Pro models are reportedly undergoing a more dramatic transformation. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max could abandon the familiar square camera bump in favor of a bold aluminum camera bar that spans the entire width of the device. Within this new design, the triple-lens setup remains on the left, while the flash, LiDAR scanner, and microphone shift to the right in a vertical configuration. It remains unclear whether this change is purely aesthetic or driven by functionality, but it aligns with Apple’s push for a sleeker, more refined design.
For those hesitant about the shift to a camera bar, the standard iPhone 17 may offer a more familiar look. Leaked renders indicate that Apple will likely retain the traditional dual-camera setup for the base model, maintaining a design more in line with previous iterations.
Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 17 lineup in its usual September timeframe, and with multiple leaks corroborating these design changes, anticipation continues to build. While the exact reasoning behind the new camera layouts remains speculative, they signal Apple’s ongoing efforts to refine its devices while differentiating its product tiers.
