Dubious Leaks Claim the iPhone 17 Design Will Be Inspired by Google
Credit: Asher Dipprey / Front Page Tech
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We’ve seen several questionable rumors over the past few weeks that suggest that Apple is planning a major redesign for at least some of its iPhone 17 models that will feature an edge-to-edge camera bar on the back. While we’ve observed these with some skepticism, the reports seem to have gained new legs after the folks at Front Page Tech decided to turn them into a video render.
Calling it a “first look” at the iPhone 17 Pro, Jon Prosser and his render artist Asher Dipprey collated what they supposedly know of the new design into something that looks … “bearable” as Dipprey puts it.
Prosser is being his usual cocky self in the video, claiming he’s actually seen the iPhone in question. However, he also hedges by acknowledging that the render isn’t based directly on what he saw.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is calling this out as fake, citing a late January sketch of “an alleged CAD of iPhone 17 Pro” that was shared by leaker Majin Bu that looks eerily similar to what Prosser and Dipprey have put together.
Like most concept videos, the alleged iPhone 17 Pro certainly looks impressive, but it also flies completely in the face of Apple’s design ethos.
Firstly, it’s filling the rear of the iPhone with space that arguably serves no purpose for existing. What’s behind that extra black zone between the three camera lenses and the flash? Apparently nothing. Apple already went the other way with the iPhone 16, minimizing the camera bump to an iPhone XS-era pill shape. Expanding this on the iPhone 17 Pro into a gargantuan edge-to-edge bump seems like the exact opposite of something Apple would do.
Then there’s the fact that it bears a striking similarity to the Google Pixel without actually sharing any of the same benefits. Google’s camera bar at least has flush lenses that allow the phone to sit nicely flat without rocking the way most other phones do. This purposed iPhone 17 Pro design still features protruding lenses that makes for an even more awkward arrangement.
Apple leads in design; it doesn’t copy other people’s design homework. For example, Apple adopted a flat-edged design with the iPhone 12 in 2020. Samsung’s Galaxy S24 family and Google’s Pixel 9 series adopted that last year to the point where they look eerily like an iPhone. For Apple to now turn around and match the Google Pixel camera bar in any way would be admitted that it has no design language of its own.
Camera layouts have become a signature element on most smartphones. Samsung, Google, Apple, and OnePlus all have camera arrays that uniquely identify their brands. These are a crucial distinguishing mark in an era when smartphones look nearly the same in every other way. While this rumored design isn’t quite identical to the Pixel 9, it’s close enough to muddy the waters.
It’s also worth noting that Prosser doesn’t exactly have the best track record lately. We’ve heard very little from him in recent years, but during his more prolific Apple rumors days he was responsible for some of the craziest rumors we’d ever heard, including a prediction that Apple would release a set of “Steve Jobs Heritage Edition” Apple Glasses in 2021. He also predicted the iPhone 14 Pro would have no camera bump at all and the infamous flat-edged Apple Watch Series 7 that never materialized (although he was far from alone on that last one, to be fair).
Similarly, Majin Bu has a very sketchy track record. While Prosser doesn’t say that this render comes from Bu, the similarities are such that they’re likely getting their information from the same sources. Those could simply be something spouting nonsense, or it could be another Apple sting operation to plant misinformation and see where it comes out.
Is there a chance this could turn out to be the iPhone 17 Pro design? Well, anything is possible, and even a stopped clock is right twice a day. However, until we hear this from more reliable sources, we’re highly skeptical that this is anywhere near the truth of what Apple is up to.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
