iPhone 17 Pro's Biggest Design Mystery is Finally Solved

[MacRumors]

Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 17 series in just four days from now, and the biggest design mystery surrounding the Pro models has finally been solved.

In a report outlining his expectations for Apple's event next week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the iPhone 17 Pro models will have "a new cutout area on the bottom two-thirds of the phone that doubles as the wireless charging area."

Last year, The Information reported that the back of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max would feature "a new part-aluminum, part-glass design." However, it was not entirely clear what this design would look like, leading to rumor blogs and graphic designers creating differing concept images and 3D renders of the devices.

MacRumors renders of the iPhone 17 Pro showed a rounded rectangle area on the back of the device, and Gurman's report makes it sound like this is indeed the design that Apple has planned. The reason for this rectangular glass area is wireless charging like MagSafe and Qi, which would not be possible with an all-aluminum back.

It is still not entirely clear if the glass and aluminum will have a uniform color, or if Apple will opt for a two-tone appearance around the MagSafe area.

It is also not clear why Apple is apparently returning to an aluminum frame for the iPhone 17 Pro models, but Gurman says it could be for weight and heat dissipation benefits. iPhone X through iPhone 14 Pro models have a stainless steel frame, while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models are equipped with titanium frames.

Any lingering questions will be answered during Apple's event on Tuesday.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro's Biggest Design Mystery is Finally Solved

 

[Moreplease]

Trivia.

The biggest design mystery is the camera bump and its purpose.

 

[ghostface147]

Maybe a newly designed MagSafe Duo Charger. Love the one I have.

 

[The fudge]

So you haven’t solved any mysteries.

 

[Etc_]

Can’t wait for the endless posts about how 'the gap between the glass and the aluminum on my new iPhone is too big/uneven."

 

[HouseLannister]

Rationale: We need to make it as ugly as possible so you will buy a folding phone next year.

 

[tomtad]

Trivia.

The biggest design mystery is the camera bump and its purpose.

It’s for a larger periscope lens which extends out from the right lens

 

[captrlp]

Not only is Tim going to tell us they’ve designed the best iPhone ever…he’s also going to tell us they’ve designed the ugliest iPhone ever.

 

[Biro]

I’m sure the design is functional. But there’s no getting around the fact that it’s also just unattractive.

 

[Böhme417]

I know most people will put a case on it anyway, but it’s just so ugly. It looks sloppy and lazy.

 

[gbc204]

I’m sure the design is functional. But there’s no getting around the fact that it’s also just unattractive.

It's not even functional in the sense that a lot of charging pads won't work with it now. Certainly not any of the charging pads you'd find in any modern car. Both my cars have Qi charging pads and it's nearly impossible to get my iphone to charge on them because of the camera bump, which is less pronounced than what's coming on the iphone 17.

 

[Metrosey]

Give me a leak of the orange/copper colour! It’s my favourite colour and want it verified in more recent leaks

 

[ViP3l2]

I know this site is about Apple Rumors and I am willingly checking for updates but I miss the days of not knowing what was coming until watching the keynote. Yes.. I know I could just not visit the site, but MacRumors has been part of my daily routine for like 15+ years now.

 

[VisceralRealist]

Whatever you want to call it: window/cutout/backplate...it's just an unpleasant design. From the first time these renders were shown, I found the "window" more unappealing than the large camera bump. I just don't think phones shouldn't have a "cutout" for wireless charging; wireless charging should be seamlessly integrated into the back of the phone without negatively affecting the design.

 

[the future]

I for one love the idea of a two-tone design for the back of the iPhone. Can‘t wait to see it for real.

 

[orbital~debris]

It's not even functional in the sense that a lot of charging pads won't work with it now. Certainly not any of the charging pads you'd find in any modern car. Both my cars have Qi charging pads and it's nearly impossible to get my iphone to charge on them because of the camera bump, which is less pronounced than what's coming on the iphone 17.

You know what, hopefully buying a new family car soon and was looking forward to a designated area for wireless charging our iPhones – I hadn't even realised the camera bump would likely prevent charging from working in the car.

I guess I'll be looking for a MagSafe charging mount, soon, too…

 

[dannyyankou]

Then it makes sense why they’re moving the Apple logo down. It’s like it’s telling you “this is where you put the AirPods”.

 

[Etc_]

I know this site is about Apple Rumors and I am willingly checking for updates but I miss the days of not knowing what was coming until watching the keynote. Yes.. I know I could just not visit the site, but MacRumors has been part of my daily routine for like 15+ years now.

My personal conspiracy theory is that some of these leaks are intentional from Apple. They prepare the public well in advance for upcoming design changes. This gives people enough time to go from 'this is the ugliest iPhone ever' to 'meh, looks bad' to 'I use a case anyway,' so by the time of the official keynote, nobody is really bothered anymore.

 

[slippery-pete]

Can’t wait for the endless posts about how 'the gap between the glass and the aluminum on my new iPhone is too big/uneven."

we will call it Gapgate

 

[Randomnewperson]

Not only is Tim going to tell us they’ve designed the best iPhone ever…he’s also going to tell us they’ve designed the ugliest iPhone ever.

So you want him to say it is the worst iphone ever released instead? Lol

 

[neuropsychguy]

Trivia.

The biggest design mystery is the camera bump and its purpose.

I think I can solve this mystery! The camera bump's purpose is to house complex cameras and lenses without making the entire phone much thicker and heavier. But that's just a wild stab in the dark; maybe the camera bump is where Apple keeps the space hamsters powering the iPhones by running on their little hamster wheels.

 

[ReliableSource]

My only worry is whether my MagSafe wallets will fit on it. I have three Moft ones that I do not want to have to stop using; as long as the new design doesn’t screw that up I’m happy.

 

[AusMness]

The "mystery" here is why we've got this cartoonishly large camera bump, we already know that we need glass to support wireless charging...

 

[magbarn]

"It is also not clear why Apple is apparently returning to an aluminum frame for the iPhone 17 Pro models." - Tariffs

 

[slippery-pete]

My only worry is whether my MagSafe wallets will fit on it. I have three Moft ones that I do not want to have to stop using; as long as the new design doesn’t screw that up I’m happy.

Same question I had. I would hate to have to go back to a normal wallet.