Is Apple iPhone taking a bold new turn? iPhone 17 leak teases daring redesign and bigger cameras

Apple iPhone may finally be going for a major overhaul, if leaks are to be believed. No, we are not talking about the iPhone 16e, which Apple announced just a few days back, but the long-awaited iPhone 17.

While the iPhone 16 series, especially the Pro models, appears to stick to familiar aesthetics with only minor tweaks—like a slightly larger size and the addition of a Camera Control button—the real revolution could be reserved for the iPhone 17 series.

A new leak from Majin Bu on X (formerly Twitter) has surfaced, who is known to be superbly reliable, at least when it comes to Apple. The leaks showcase CAD renders that reveal significant changes across the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup. The leak hints at four distinct models: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a rumoured new addition, possibly called the iPhone 17 Air or iPhone 17 Slim.

What’s new in the iPhone 17 design?

The biggest visual shift is in the camera design. The Pro models are expected to feature a bold new camera bar integrated directly into the housing. This setup will be larger than before, though it keeps the triangular sensor arrangement in the top-left corner. The LiDAR scanner and flash have reportedly been repositioned to the right side of the module, hinting at potential improvements in spatial photography and low-light performance.

The rumoured iPhone 17 Air—or Slim—stands out with a single-camera design mounted on a raised island in the upper section of the phone, suggesting a minimalistic and possibly more affordable model. Meanwhile, the standard iPhone 17 doesn’t seem to deviate much from its predecessor, continuing Apple’s strategy of reserving big upgrades for Pro models.

Materials matter: Aluminium or titanium?

One surprising revelation is Apple’s reported plan to swap titanium for aluminium on the iPhone 17 Pro models. While this could lead to lighter devices, it might feel like a step backward for users who’ve come to appreciate the premium feel of titanium since its introduction on the iPhone 15 Pro.

Bigger cameras, bigger expectations

The enlarged camera housing could signal upgraded sensors, potentially including a 48MP telephoto lens—up from the current 12MP. This would mark a significant leap for Apple’s mobile photography game, aligning it with competitors like Samsung and Google.

Will this be the redesign Apple needs?

With the excitement around Apple Intelligence features reportedly falling flat, the pressure is on for the iPhone 17 series to reignite consumer interest. A fresh design language combined with meaningful hardware upgrades could be exactly what Apple needs to shake off the growing sense of monotony in its smartphone lineup.

The iPhone 17 series is still months away from an official reveal, but if these leaks hold true, Apple might finally be ready to give fans the innovation they’ve been craving.