Latest iPhone 17 Pro Dummies Highlight Apple's New Part-Glass Design

[MacRumors]

Seasoned leaker Sonny Dickson has shared more dummy models of Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 series, with the latest lot revealing a noticeable shift in Apple's iPhone Pro model design that goes beyond the much-talked-about new rear camera bar.

Dickson points out that the iPhone 17 Pro dummy models feature an outlined area on the back, beginning just below the camera module and extending to the bottom of the chassis. Dickson says this is "where the glass will change."

According to Chinese leaker Fixed Focus Digital, the iPhone 17 Pro models will use a combination of materials — specifically, a glass section for the logo area integrated into an overall metal chassis. This explains the red areas on the iPhone 17 Pro models we saw in a previous CAD image.

According to The Information, Apple has chosen a half glass, half aluminum build for its high-end devices to increase durability. The glass would allow wireless charging to continue to be available, but a partial aluminum frame would be less prone to breakage.

Apple's current iPhone 16 Pro models feature a titanium chassis – a change Apple touted as a key upgrade when it debuted with 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.

Consistent with rumors and previous CAD images, the dummies depict Apple's embrace of an elongated horizontal camera module along the top of the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models and the iPhone 17 Air, but not on the regular model. The dummies also appear to have a smoother transition between the edges of the camera bump and the back cover, reportedly owing to Apple's use of a new glass-and-metal splicing material process.

Today's dummies also indicate that all iPhone 17 models – including the all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air – will feature MagSafe. The new design will constitute one of the most significant visual changes to Apple's high-end ‌iPhone‌ models in recent years. The new lineup is expected to arrive in September.

Article Link: Latest iPhone 17 Pro Dummies Highlight Apple's New Part-Glass Design

 

[abatabia]

Will take some getting used to. Not feeling it as of yet.

 

[TechRunner]

Only six more months of mockups to go. Hang in there, all!

 

[SoyMaxV]

It's not bad, but it still feels a bit too Pixel Pro for me

 

[gank41]

I think we're all in for a surprise as to why there's that larger black space at the top for the camera area. Maybe there's something else hidden behind there.

 

[JtheLemur]

At least for the Air, how do you design a big-ass bar across the back but still have the lens stick out even further so it won't sit flat when you put it down? Un-effing-real.

 

[Kylo83]

Is there a practical reason for the new camera bumper? Is it just to have a change?

 

[Adamj53]

Yeah make the bump bigger..... not a fan at all.

 

[thiscatisfat]

If "Apple Intelligence" won't get people to upgrade from their 5 year old iPhone, I'm sure a a lot uglier, bulkier, and otherwise more or less the same version of their 5 year old iPhone 100% will.

Honestly, just give me a small, iPhone 5 sized, modern day iPhone without a camera bump and I'm in. I can't imagine this being that difficult. The modern day iPhone, this, is everything Steve Jobs didn't want an iPhone to be.

 

[TechWhisperer]

Maybe the new camera layout is because the flash is brighter and it needs more space for proper illumination.

 

[nfl46]

Is there a practical reason for the new camera bumper? Is it just to have a change?

It’s lipstick on a pig. At this rate, they probably felt the need to change something just for the heck of it. Their design team is probably bored out their minds.

 

[Kylo83]

It’s lipstick on a pig. At this rate, they probably felt the need to change something just for the heck of it. Their design team is probably bored out their minds.

View attachment 2494099

If there’s no actual reason for this design change, it shows that Apple doesn’t know what they’re doing anymore

 

[TechRunner]

I still think if the island that houses the camera array was body-colored it wouldn't look as bad. It would still be pretty ungainly, though.

 

[SnowCrocodile]

This is a very revolutionary step by Apple.

Wait, I think I have an extra letter in there…

 

[sigmasirrus]

It’s lipstick on a pig. At this rate, they probably felt the need to change something just for the heck of it. Their design team is probably bored out their minds.

View attachment 2494099

Dang that camera island kept growing year after year…

 

[JohnLuke]

Fortunately there is the regular iPhone 17

 

[Bones402]

Meh...

 

[azentropy]

Cool, even more top heavy
/s

 

[Pezimak]

Not sure if the new design is to save Apple money for warranty repairs, or for the consumers benefit?
Either way I think these new phones will be seriously ugly designs. Google IMO from what I've seen so far has done it MUCH better.
But I'll still take a serious look at the new Air if it's real.

 

[SAIRUS]

What does a big bar provide in terms of value to the user?

 

[Kylo83]

Would rather a smaller Dynamic Island cut out that’s been here for years now

 

[GenesisST]

Not pretty (subjective), but in all fairness, I don't look at the back of the phone often.

That being said, I welcome the likely lack of wobble when lying on a desk.

 

[MrRom92]

It’s lipstick on a pig. At this rate, they probably felt the need to change something just for the heck of it. Their design team is probably bored out their minds.

View attachment 2494099

Why mess with perfection

This series of iPhones along with the iPhone 4/4S will go down as the most elegant and refined iPhone designs ever. They really made the iPhone feel like a high end piece of hardware

 

[555gallardo]

I'm starting to believe the new design is somewhat related to another EU regulation that would require an easily replaceable battery. Not to mention the Pro line was always the first to get that additional longevity treatment.

 

[JWD]

They need to throw in some more lenses or sensors for that to look good