First IPhone 17 Pro Design Leak Hints At Unexpected Changes That Few Desire

Apple is planning significant changes for the iPhone 17 lineup. Rumors suggest the iPhone 17 Slim or iPhone 17 Air will be the slimmest model yet. A new report reveals major design updates for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

According to The Information, these will be the first Pro iPhones to feature an aluminum frame since Apple categorized its lineup into standard and Pro models. Previously, lower-end models like the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, and iPhone SE used aluminum, while Pro models traditionally had stainless steel and upgraded to a titanium frame with the iPhone 15 Pro.

With the launch of the iPhone 17 lineup next year, Apple plans to transition the entire series back to aluminum frames. Analyst Jeff Pu has suggested that all models in the iPhone 17 series could feature aluminum, which many see as a downgrade. While this change might make the devices lighter, thinner, and cheaper, it may not sit well with users of the high-end Pro models, who appreciate the premium feel of stainless steel and titanium.

Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will have a new design with a part-aluminum, part-glass back. The top half will feature a rectangular camera bump made of aluminum instead of traditional 3D glass, while the bottom half will remain glass to support wireless charging. The camera bump will also be larger than on current models.

Since the introduction of the glass back with the iPhone 8 and iPhone X in 2017, only a few earlier models had aluminum backs.

In summary, the anticipated design changes for the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max include:

• A return to aluminum frames for the entire lineup.

• A larger rectangular camera bump made of aluminum for the Pro models.

• A shift from an all-glass back to a part-aluminum, part-glass design.

These changes represent the most significant design updates to the high-end Pro iPhones in recent years. Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025, which will include the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the rumored iPhone 17 Slim or iPhone 17 Air.