Apple Leak Points to Major Design Shift in Upcoming iPhone 17

Although the release of the new iPhone 17 is not expected until September, buzz around its design has already begun to escalate.

Recently, an Apple insider known as Majin Bu shared digital renders of four models from the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, which includes a new slim variant rumored to be called the 'iPhone Air.'

Three of these models feature a distinctive rectangular camera bar on the back, a design choice that many users have noted bears a strong resemblance to Google's Pixel smartphones.

On social media, some users have expressed skepticism regarding Apple's innovation, suggesting the iPhone 17 lineup appears to be a copy of the Google Pixel 9 series.

In addition to the iPhone 17 family, Apple recently announced the upcoming release of a new budget-friendly smartphone, the iPhone 16e, priced at £599 or $599. The iPhone 16e will feature a 6.1-inch display, support for artificial intelligence, and will bring back the much-debated 'notch' at the top of the screen.

According to the images shared by Bu, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to adopt a single rear camera setup, while the Pro and Pro Max editions will include three camera lenses arranged in an 'arrow' configuration, a style previously seen in earlier iPhone Max models. Importantly, instead of the traditional square camera bump, the new design will have an aluminum camera bar that spans the width of the device.

The iPhone 17 Lineup

• iPhone 17 (base model)
• iPhone Air (slim variant)
• iPhone Pro
• iPhone Pro Max

This change in design suggests that Apple may be adjusting to accommodate more camera components in its premium models.

Interestingly, the standard iPhone 17 model will not feature the Pixel-style camera bar, instead retaining a more traditional design with two rear camera lenses.

Moreover, the Pro and Pro Max models are noted to have unusual red areas that will serve as glass sections for the logo area within a metal frame, which has attracted mixed reviews from onlookers.

Many Apple fans are aware that a lighter and thinner option is set to be released to complement the Pro versions this year. Analyst Mark Gurman hints that the 'iPhone 17 Air' or 'iPhone 17 Slim' is aimed at users seeking a more portable device with comparatively less powerful hardware.

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to align with Apple’s range of 'Air' computer products, celebrated for their sleek design.

In the meantime, the new iPhone 16e, which will be launched on February 28, is designed to appeal to users looking for a more affordable Apple phone.

Apple Intelligence Features

The iPhone 16e will include a variety of advanced AI features through what Apple has termed 'Apple Intelligence,' incorporating tools that enhance user experience and engagement.

One of the significant upgrades includes the integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT with Siri, improving usefulness by enabling more complex inquiries and providing better assistance across various tasks.

Additionally, users will be able to create unique emojis through a feature called 'Genmoji,' which generates emojis based on brief descriptions provided by the user.

Apple’s upcoming operating system update, iOS 18.2, will also introduce an array of AI-powered tools, ranging from improved photo editing and image generation capabilities to writing assistance, enhancing the overall functionality of the upcoming devices.

Apple, iPhone, design