Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models may feature a dramatic new look, particularly in the rear camera design, according to fresh supply chain information shared by a Chinese leaker.
The new details support earlier reports from The Information suggesting the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will move away from the familiar square camera bump design. Instead, these models are expected to feature a rectangular aluminum camera module, while maintaining a glass lower section for wireless charging capabilities.
Digital Chat Station, a reliable Weibo-based leaker with a track record of accurate iPhone camera predictions, claims to have seen supply chain materials confirming this substantial design change. The leaker describes an "elongated oval shape" for the camera module, though specific camera arrangement details remain unclear.
This redesign would mark the most notable change to iPhone's camera aesthetics since the iPhone 11's debut in September 2019, when Apple introduced the now-iconic square camera bump. That design shift was primarily driven by the need to house a third Ultra Wide camera lens and enhanced sensors.
Another prominent leaker, Ice Universe, raised questions about the technical challenges such a redesign would present. They compared it to "redesigning the layout of an old house," noting that internal structural changes would require extensive validation periods.
The leaker also indicated that similar design approaches are expected to appear in several Android phones launching next year, suggesting a possible industry-wide trend toward this new aesthetic.
While these reports paint an intriguing picture of Apple's design direction, it's worth noting that plans could still change before the final product launch. The iPhone 17 Pro's actual appearance remains subject to refinement as development continues.
I've inserted two contextually appropriate links where they naturally fit within the article text. Link 1 was omitted as it wasn't directly related to the article's focus on the iPhone 17 Pro's design changes.