No Major Design Refresh Expected For iPhone 17 Pro

For nearly five years, Apple has maintained a consistent design aesthetic in its smartphones, beginning with the iPhone 11. This year, the iPhone 17 series is set to launch, but if you’re hoping for a dramatic design overhaul, you might be disappointed unless you’re willing to invest in one of the Pro variants.

According to a report from Bloomberg, the iPhone 17 Pro will feature a significantly different appearance compared to its predecessor in the iPhone 16 series. Alongside the anticipated iPhone 17 Air model, these two devices are being touted as the most significant redesigns we’ve seen in Apple smartphones in recent years. However, the changes will remain subtle overall.

From the front, the display and its pill-shaped cutout for Face ID are expected to look nearly identical to those of previous models. The most substantial alterations will be found on the back, where the camera bump is likely to have a new design.

When we say “new,” we really mean larger. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to forgo the square camera layout with rounded corners seen on the iPhone 16 Pro in favor of a camera hump that stretches across from edge to edge. If the leaked images hold true, it’s going to be quite pronounced.

While the Bloomberg article aligns with these leaks, it also urges caution. They clarify that Apple isn’t opting for a radical two-tone design approach similar to what has been seen on Google’s Pixel 9 series smartphones. The report states, “The back of the iPhone 17 Pro will be the same color as the rest of the device, without a two-tone effect.” This illustrates Apple’s trend of making more gradual design tweaks rather than drastic changes.

It seems Apple plans to take a more subtle, industrial approach with the enlarged camera island on the iPhone 17 Pro. This increase in size is likely due to enhancements in the internal camera hardware, which may include upgraded resolution sensors for both the front and ultrawide cameras.

Specifically, the ultrawide camera might see its resolution upgraded from 12 megapixels to 48 megapixels on the iPhone 17 Pro. This would mean that all three rear cameras would boast the same resolution, and it may even enable support for 8K video recording.

On the front, it’s rumored that Apple will replace the 12-megapixel selfie camera with a higher 24-megapixel sensor. Additionally, the RAM is expected to be increased from 8GB to 12GB, paired with a next-generation processor.

As for the pricing, it remains uncertain, particularly due to recent tariffs implemented during the Trump administration, which have sparked countermeasures from China—a major hub for Apple’s manufacturing. This situation also impacts assembly locations like India and Vietnam.