With the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple has officially phased out the Home button, leading to a more monotonous appearance across its smartphone lineup. Though the company’s budget model may boast an enhanced battery and impressive capabilities as a successor to the iPhone SE, anyone yearning for a design refresh will need to exercise patience for the iPhone 17.

The forthcoming iPhone series appears poised to shake things up by introducing a distinctive aesthetic. This marks a significant turning point since the launch of the Dynamic Island feature on the iPhone 14 Pro, enabling easier visual differentiation between models at a quick glance.

Is a New Camera Bar on the Horizon for the iPhone 17?

Insights from YouTuber Jon Prosser suggest that the iPhone 17 may draw inspiration from Google’s designs, signaling a substantial overhaul. Notably, it’s rumored that the traditional camera bump will be replaced by a more seamless camera bar across the back of the device.

In a late February video, Prosser shared visual representations of the anticipated iPhone 17 Pro, derived from various undisclosed sources and a model he claims to have encountered. The render suggests a triangular arrangement of the camera lenses similar to the current series, but with an extended area that covers nearly the entire rear of the phone. Positioning for the flash, LiDAR, and microphone has also been modified, now located across from the lenses.

If accurate, this updated design would necessitate new protective cases and resembles the “camera bar” concept introduced by Google’s Pixel phones back in 2021, a design choice that some reviews, including personal reviews, have criticized for being aesthetically jarring.

Speculation among social media users suggests that the additional space provided by the camera bar might be utilized for a small display at the back, serving to assist with selfies or displaying vital information from widgets; however, this remains purely hypothetical.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

While leaks can be inconsistent, Prosser’s claims have met with skepticism from others. Notably, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg hinted that Prosser’s visuals may be based on a deceptive CAD model from January. Similarly, leaker Majin Bu previously shared a CAD design that was deemed likely fabricated by designers.

Nevertheless, Prosser isn’t alone in predicting this shift; corroborative insights from supply chain experts at The Information and commentary from Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station have also pointed to a pill-shaped camera layout that mirrors the Pixel’s design.

Despite these intriguing rumors, doubts persist regarding the practicality of a pill-shaped configuration affecting spatial video capture capabilities and suggesting that Prosser’s design might hinder the effectiveness of flash and LiDAR placement.

No matter what camera arrangement is finalized, there remains much anticipation surrounding this cellphone series, even if its design doesn’t immediately captivate.

Introducing the iPhone 17 Air

Along with the standard iPhone 17 and its two Pro counterparts (the usual Pro and Pro Max), the anticipated line may also unveil the lighter iPhone 17 Air. Should this model be released, it would replace the iPhone 17 Plus in the lineup but won’t be a direct counterpart.

Speculation about the iPhone 17 Air began circulating in November from the Korean social media profile yeux1122, followed by coverage from various sources such as analyst Jeff Pu, The Information, and Gurman from Bloomberg.

According to reports, the iPhone 17 Air’s thickness is expected to fall between 5mm and 6mm, making it notably slimmer than Apple’s thinnest model to date, the 6.9mm iPhone 6. In terms of size, although it won’t carry the “Plus” label, it should be somewhat taller than the standard iPhone 17 while remaining shorter than the Pro Max, with the precise dimensions varying based on different accounts.

Reports from The Information indicate the potential for a camera bar on the Air, which may feature a pill-shaped design with a single centered camera, representing a slight downgrade compared to the current iPhone 16 Plus model that includes both a standard and an ultra-wide lens. This single-lens setup might aim to streamline the device’s thickness, potentially clarifying why some designs feature a camera bar while others do not. Moreover, a render from Prosser showcases an Air model equipped with a pill-shaped camera bar, which notably positions the lens towards the phone’s edge, away from the flash and microphone.

Besides the single lens, other potential design compromises to enhance slimness include a shift to a single speaker setup, as relayed by The Information. While this arrangement would not impact normal phone calls thanks to the earpiece housing the speaker, it could reduce audio quality for speaker calls, music, and video playback by eliminating stereo sound. Furthermore, while iPhones have generally moved away from physical SIM slots in the U.S., the Air model is rumored to eliminate these slots on a global scale.

The Conventional iPhone 17

While the iPhone 17 Pro and Air editions promise innovative features, expectations for the standard model remain fairly steady. Currently, there are no rumors suggesting the inclusion of a camera bar for this particular model, although MacRumors anticipates a slightly enlarged display of 6.3 inches, up from the 6.1 inches of its predecessor.

Additionally, reports from Instant Digital suggest enhancements to the OLED screen, which could support elevated frame rates through Apple’s ProMotion technology.

Standard Enhancements on the Horizon

In line with the expected design updates, the iPhone 17 series is also set to incorporate conventional upgrades. The Pro variants are predicted to transition from the A18 chip to an A19 chip, while the entry-level edition may retain the A18 processor. Furthermore, camera enhancements have been suggested, with Jeff Pu (via MacRumors) estimating that all iPhone 17 models could feature a 24MP front-facing camera, a boost from the 12MP seen in the iPhone 16 lineup. Additionally, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo anticipates that the Pro models will enhance all lenses to 48MP, surpassing the 12MP telephoto lenses available now.

A report from The Information also indicates the possibility of a mechanical aperture on at least one model, enabling users to regulate light intake in their lenses. Additionally, speculation from a Chinese site, MyDrivers, suggests the inclusion of a vapor chamber across the entire lineup, intended for improved thermal management. These developments could signify a noteworthy shift for Apple, though they should be approached with a degree of skepticism.

In terms of potential downsides, analysis from The Information suggests the brand might revert to utilizing an aluminum frame for the Pro variants rather than the current titanium, which could lower manufacturing costs but might also add weight to the devices.

Expected Pricing and Launch Timeline

A report from The Wall Street Journal estimates that the price for the iPhone 17 Air will likely fall between that of the standard iPhone 17 and the Pro models; however, overall pricing remains uncertain. Currently, the base iPhone 16 is priced at $799, with the Pro starting at $999 and the Pro Max at $1,199. Anticipate similar, if not higher, pricing for the new models due to potential tariffs on Chinese components.

As for the anticipated release, Apple typically unveils its new iPhone series in September, so expect to see the iPhone 17 lineup debut in the upcoming fall.