A Sneak Peek at the iPhone 17 Design: Leaked Metal Molds Revealed

The anticipation for Apple's latest iPhone series is building as new leaks surface, showcasing the design of the upcoming iPhone 17 models. Renowned leaker Sonny Dickson has unveiled metal molds of the iPhone 17 line, providing enthusiasts and analysts a glimpse of the changes to expect from the tech giant. From the layout of rear cameras to the innovative features that promise to enhance user experience, the molds reveal crucial insights into Apple's design philosophy for its latest smartphones.

According to the leaked images, the molds have been created primarily for case manufacturers, offering a blueprint of the iPhone 17 series' dimensions, including the iPhone 17 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Air models. While the molds may not be completely accurate, they still illustrate significant updates, particularly regarding the rear camera housings intended to capture spatial (3D) photographs as supported by the Vision Pro headset.

The distinct shapes and sizes of the camera housings for the iPhone 17 Ultra and Pro indicate Apple's design choices, with each housing accommodating three cameras. The iPhone 17 Air, however, opts for a slimmer design with a single rear-facing camera that spans horizontally across the back. This innovative approach allows Apple to focus on computational photography, enabling the device to merge wide and ultra-wide photography capabilities into one camera, echoing strategies used in previous Google Pixel models.

Further examination of the molds indicates the iPhone 17 Air will have the most considerable camera bump despite its thin profile. The placement of the Action Button above the volume controls on the left side of all four models is another notable feature, allowing users to activate a preferred function quickly. Users can set this button for various uses, including integrating it with services like ChatGPT.

The iPhone 17 series is set to be officially announced in early September, with retail availability expected shortly thereafter. All variants will ship with iOS 19, alongside expected enhancements to Apple's Intelligence. The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will utilize the A19 processor, while the Pro and Ultra models will feature the more robust A19 Pro chipset, all produced using TSMC's cutting-edge 3nm node technology.