Leaked iPhone 17 Designs Spark Debate
The community on Chinese social network Weibo has once again gotten its hands on some exciting information. This time, it’s a leaked image of CAD renders of the iPhone 17 lineup, which has generated a lot of buzz and speculation about what’s to come from Apple’s flagship series. As I glance through the discussions on Reddit and Twitter/X, it appears that not everyone is as astonished as I am, although the comments are increasing in number as I write this. The big question on everyone’s mind is: is Apple really considering adopting a design similar to Google’s Pixel 9 for the iPhone 17?
iPhone 17 Lineup CAD pic.twitter.com/xednTkpJnq
— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) February 23, 2025
It’s surprising to see this design direction, especially considering Apple’s innovative approach to camera design, as seen in the iPhone 16e. Although the 16e is an "economical" or "essential" model, it’s not necessarily indicative of what’s to come in the next generation. However, when comparing the design of the iPhone 17 Air’s backside to current models, it’s hard to imagine Apple giving it the green light. These renders might actually be showing us what the cutouts will look like in a case rather than the actual design.
The renders also highlight different areas on the other three iPhone 17 models, which suggest varying types of chassis materials compared to the rest of the device. We can expect a mix of aluminum and glass, similar to previous models.
Several Apple blogs have listed this rumor, originated by Majin Bu, as "possible." This is because another render of the iPhone 17 Air surfaced last week, showing a similar backside design. Other Weibo-based leakers, such as Ice Universe and Fixed Focus Digital, have also shared similar information about the iPhone 17 Air adopting a Pixel-like design, which is why this rumor is gaining traction.
A Sceptical Perspective
I remain doubtful about this design direction. The iPhone and Google’s Pixel series cater to different audiences, despite the Pixel’s increasing resemblance to the iPhone. The backside camera array, with its pill-shaped triple-camera module, is a distinctive Android aesthetic. It’s playful and slightly bulky, giving off a feeling of real glass stacked behind the window. In contrast, the iPhone has long featured a signature stove-top design that blends the camera module into the backside.
If the iPhone 17 Air does end up with a Google Pixel-inspired design, it might indicate what’s in store for the iPhone foldable rumor, which is also gaining momentum. Bloomberg reported on this rumor over the weekend in the Power On newsletter, which is often cited as a reliable source. I’d like to see how this iPhone 17 render rumor unfolds in the coming months.
