Apple planning to revamp entire iPhone 17 series' design, might follow Google Pixel-like camera bump

The iPhone 17 line-up is expected to get away with the old design, even for the Pro models. The rumour has it that the phones will debut with a rectangular camera bump at the top.

In Short

• iPhone 17 series is expected to launch in September 2025
• The series is speculated to replace the Plus model with Air model
• iPhone 17 Air is said to be the thinnest iPhone so far

There is a lot of chatter going around the upcoming iPhone 17 series. Previous leaks hinted that the new series would bring various software and hardware upgrades, including a 120Hz refresh rate, A19 chipset and camera improvements. Additionally, the iPhone 17 Air variant has been in the highlights, even before the latest iPhone 16 series was launched. The Air model is anticipated to follow the iPad Air and Mac Air footsteps and is expected to be the slimmest iPhone ever. According to the reports, the iPhone 17 Air will sport 6mm thickness, even thinner than the iPhone 6's 6.9mm thickness. And now, the latest rumour is that it is not only the iPhone 17 Air that is getting a new look, the whole series will be dressing up in a new avatar. A new leak suggests that Apple plans to return to the aluminium design from previous years, moving away from the titanium material introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro models.

iPhone 17 series: Leaked design

According to The Information, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models are set to undergo a significant design overhaul, drawing inspiration from the upcoming iPhone 17 Air. While aluminium is currently reserved for standard iPhone models, with Pro versions using stainless steel and titanium, the iPhone 17 Pro lineup is rumoured to bring back aluminium frames.

The Pro models will reportedly feature a dual-material back—aluminium on the upper section and a glass panel on the lower portion. This glass inclusion is essential to maintain wireless charging capabilities, though specific details about the aluminum-to-glass ratio remain unclear. A reliable tipster, days before this leak, has hinted to the new design of the upcomingg iPhones.

Not just the body material, the report suggests that the camera arrangement might also change for the entire series. Interestingly, the camera bump will grow larger and be crafted from aluminium, contrasting with the glass design seen on current Pro models. Apple last used aluminium for its premium devices before the iPhone X, marking this as a bold redesign. This redesign is seen as similar to the Google Pixel 9 series camera bump. Some X users have been comparing the two since the leak was out.

There’s speculation that the Pro models might adopt the iPhone 17 Air’s slim profile, though further details on thickness are yet to emerge. This potential redesign suggests a significant shift in Apple’s approach, as it balances aesthetics, functionality, and marketing appeal.

As far as the design is concern, the iPhone 17 Pro is also expected to combine the functions of the Action Button and Volume Button. This design decision is also practical, particularly if Apple introduces the Action Button across all four iPhone 17 models. By reducing the number of physical buttons, Apple can ensure that the slimmer models still meet the durability standards of current iPhones.