Featured Image Credit: Anadolu/Contributor / BAY ISMOYO/Contributor / Getty
It's been a matter of months since the release of the iPhone 16 and we're already talking about Apple's next iPhone launch.
A first look of the iPhone 17 'Air' has been leaked on X (formerly Twitter) by user MajinBu who claims the images and their details are 'confirmed.'
Looking at the leaks, it seems Apple has taken a completely different direction on the camera design.
Instead of the familiar square bump, the case features a horizontal 'bar' - which includes an elongated camera module - that stretches across the back of the device, much like the design of Google’s Pixel 9.
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Although the images are somewhat blurry and unclear, you can spot a single camera lens on the left and a flash on the right.
The images certainly reflect a radical design change, it's worth noting that blurry leaks like this are often mockups that never make it to market.
iPhone 17, the design seems confirmed. pic.twitter.com/5Wh6alUiMr
— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) January 21, 2025
Furthermore, Apple’s typical camera placement has remained in the corner for years for all its previous iPhone models. These leaks would certainly need confirmation from other verifiable sources before they can be considered remotely true.
Another thing to note about the iPhone 17 Air is that it's also rumoured to be much thinner than previous models - which raises questions about the space for internal components.
According to Tech Radar, if the camera bar runs across the entire back frame, "it will occupy the same space as the Face ID camera array on the front of the device." The experts stated: "It’s highly unlikely that Apple will drop a feature as vital as Face ID, which makes it hard to imagine the company using a rear camera design like this."
Meanwhile, Apple fans are torn over the potential new look as expected.
Many couldn’t help but notice the similarities to Google Pixel phones, with comments like: "Might as well be a Google phone" and "We’re doomed, these guys really took copying google seriously".
Some were excited about the change, saying: "Interesting design, looks like a google phone tbh" and "Bout time they did something else!"
But not everyone was hopeful about the radical design change with some Apple fans questioning the tech giant's decisions.
"I mean, what the hell is happening in that company?" replied one frustrated X user.
"hopefully this is a joke" another remarked whilst someone else claimed: "This is the worst design I have ever seen."
Until more reliable sources confirm these details, it’s entirely possible this design won’t make it to production, so it’s important to take this leak like others, with a grain of salt.
