First iPhone 17 Pro Design Leak Claims Surprising Return to Aluminum, Rectangular Camera Bump, and More

[MacRumors]

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will offer "significant design changes," The Information's Wayne Ma reports.

The two flagship iPhone 17 models will be the first high-end iPhones to feature an aluminum frame since the delineation of the iPhone lineup into Pro and non-Pro models. In recent years, lower-end iPhone models such as the iPhone SE and iPhone 16 have featured aluminum frames. Until the release of the iPhone 15 Pro, high-end iPhone models featured stainless steel frames. Now, the high-end iPhones feature titanium chassis – a change that was touted as one of the key upgrades of the iPhone 15 Pro. With the introduction of the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple is reportedly planning to bring the entire selection of devices back to aluminum.

The rear of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will also feature a new part-aluminum, part-glass design. The top half of the back will be made of aluminum and feature a "rectangular camera bump made of aluminum rather than traditional 3D glass," while the bottom half will continue to be made of glass to support wireless charging. Apple introduced a glass back to the iPhone with the iPhone 8 and iPhone X in 2017, but prior to that, every iPhone except the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 5C had an aluminum rear. The new, aluminum camera bump of the iPhone 17 Pro will also apparently be larger than that of previous models.

The new design will constitute one of the most significant visual changes to the high-end iPhone models in recent years. The Information has an excellent track record for accurate Apple rumors, so the latest report is highly likely to pan out. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to launch in the fall of 2025 alongside the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air.

Article Link: First iPhone 17 Pro Design Leak Claims Surprising Return to Aluminum, Rectangular Camera Bump, and More

 

[ps3zocker]

So basically iPhone 5 in reverse with mostly a glass back with a bit of aluminum? Or even iPhone classic upside-down.

 

[2761216]

Smaller bump….for the millionth time

 

[Gengar]

Sounds like it will be a mess. Can’t wait to see what they actually offer, though.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

The top half of the back will be a "rectangular camera bump made of aluminum rather than traditional 3D glass," while the bottom half will continue to be made of glass to support wireless charging.

So it'll look like a Pixel 8?

 

[lkrupp]

I haven’t seen any “will it bend” videos on YouTube lately.

 

[dannyyankou]

That’s fine. A glass and aluminum back can be premium, just look at iPhone 5. It’s lightweight as well.

 

[hoorayforhollywood]

I’ve no expertise, but I wonder if aluminum is easier to put more interesting colours on than titanium?

 

[ProbablyDylan]

That’s fine. A glass and aluminum back can be premium, just look at iPhone 5. It’s lightweight as well.

Not to mention incredibly good looking. iPhone 5/5S/SE was the peak of smartphone design IMO.

 

[poematik13]

will be upgrading my 15 pro regardless

 

[goonie4life9]

Get ready for the ALL NEW iPhone 17 Pro! This changes everything, all over again!!!

 

[orbital~debris]

I'm on board.
This will be the best of both worlds, and harken back to the original iPhone design.

 

[TechWhisperer]

Great news! Give us the iPhone 11 Pro design with aerospace grade aluminum ✨👌

 

[AnotherOpinion]

I am SO bored with the iPhone design. LOVE iOS… bored with the hardware. I am on 14Pro Max and yet still not enough changes to make me feel inspired to "upgrade" so it this 17 is the same design and the past several years… argh… not gonna lie, I am probably just going to stick with 14Pro Max. And I used to trade in every year.

 

[mscice]

Is it just me, or has Apple hit a bit of a creative plateau when it comes to iPhone innovation?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Sounds good to me. My iPhone 12 Pro will be about ready for upgrade then.

 

[cdsapplefan]

Anything under Cook will be to save Costs. Titanium is very expensive and do that times 10 million iPhones 🤑

 

[segfaultdotorg]

No 6G? Lame.

 

[B4U]

I haven’t seen any “will it bend” videos on YouTube lately.

It sure will blend.
Oh, wait. You said bend...🤣

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Apple introduced a glass back to the iPhone with the iPhone 8 and iPhone X in 2017, but prior to that, every iPhone except the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 5C had an aluminum rear.

this is all just wrong.
The iPhone 4 and 4S had glass backs, and the 5, 5S and SE1 all had both aluminum and glass on the back.
the 4 and 4S didn't have aluminum as one of its main external materials at all.
Are we really at the point where people who literally write about Apple for a living just... forget the iPhone 4? Literally the most important iPhone next to the original?

 

[ThailandToo]

Sad if true. The titanium is indestructible! Aluminum is so fragile. One drop and serious damage. This is definitely to make more money.

 

[bassanoclapper]

“The top half of the back will be a rectangular camera bump made of aluminum”

The entire top half?

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Stainless steel was a terrible choice for phones, adds nothing but weight. The titanium improved that a bit.

 

[Populus]

Yeah, if this is true, it’s really surprising. Especially the fact that they are stopping the use of Titanium on their phones. Once the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max are retired in favour of the 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max / Ultra, Apple will be done with Titanium aside from the replacement units for repairs that require it.

This makes me think if the Titanium supplier has raised prices, or if this is just a measure to lower cost of the Pro lineup. Intriguing…

As for me, my only hope is that, with all of this changes, they introduce a slightly smaller iPhone 17. Not necessarily mini-sized, as the 5.4” proved to be not very propular, but a screen size of between 5.8” and 6” would be nice, keeping the current aspect ratio.

 

[Joshuaorange]

Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will offer "significant design changes," The Information's Wayne Ma reports.

The two flagship iPhone 17 models will be the first high-end iPhones to feature an aluminum frame since the delineation of the iPhone lineup into Pro and non-Pro models. In recent years, lower-end iPhone models such as the iPhone SE and iPhone 16 have featured aluminum frames. Until the release of the iPhone 15 Pro, high-end iPhone models featured stainless steel frames. Now, the high-end iPhones feature titanium chassis – a change that was touted as one of the key upgrades of the iPhone 15 Pro. With the introduction of the iPhone 17 lineup, Apple is reportedly planning to bring the entire selection of devices back to aluminum.

The rear of the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Max will also feature a new part-aluminum, part-glass design. The top half of the back will be a "rectangular camera bump made of aluminum rather than traditional 3D glass," while the bottom half will continue to be made of glass to support wireless charging. Apple introduced a glass back to the iPhone with the iPhone 8 and iPhone X in 2017, but prior to that, every iPhone except the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 5C had an aluminum rear. The new, aluminum camera bump of the iPhone 17 Pro will also apparently be larger than that of previous models.

The new design will constitute one of the most significant visual changes to the high-end iPhone models in recent years. The Information has an excellent track record for accurate Apple rumors, so the latest report is highly likely to pan out. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to launch in the fall of 2025 alongside the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air.

Article Link: First iPhone 17 Pro Design Leak Claims Surprising Return to Aluminum and More

Wrong. The iPhone 4 and 4S had glass back too.