Leaked iPhone 17 metal molds show off inbound camera bumps – AppleInsider
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Leaked photos of molds for the upcoming iPhone 17 line. Image Credit: Sonny DicksonLast updated 20 hours agoThe latest in a series of iPhone 17 leaks has taken the form of metal molds for the upcoming models, with most featuring the supersized camera bump that separates the flash and sensor away from the lenses.
Ahead of the release of any new iPhone generation, there are generally a lot of rumors around any changed elements. This is particularly true for claims regarding the cameras to be included.
Veteran leaker Sonny Dickson has followed up on early CAD designs showing off a previously-rumored “camera bar” style coming to most iPhone 17 models. On March 15, he published photos of metal molds that follow the same lines as his earlier leak.
Molds are typically created to give third-party case makers an idea of the configuration and size of the upcoming iPhone models. The molds are often based on rumors rather than information from Apple, and thus sometimes prove inaccurate.
Various images and even videos that have circulated online presume that the regular iPhone 17 model is likely to have a traditional dual-camera arrangement with the flash on the left side. The other three models will debut a new camera bar design that has been recently rumored.
The thinner model, likely to be called either the iPhone 17e or iPhone 17 Air, will sport a single “2-in-1” camera currently used by the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models are shown to have the usual three camera lenses on the back, with the flash and sensors separated to the right side.
Leaked photos of the alleged iPhone 17 lineup’s side views. Image Credit: Sonny DicksonIn the picture of the molds, the camera bump for the iPhone 17e or Air is noticeably more pronounced than on the other models. This would be due to a rumored redesign coming to the model to make the body of the iPhone substantially thinner.
There has been no verification that the molds are genuine, but Dickson has a good track record in revealing future iPhone models. In April 2024, he showed mockups of the iPhone 16 lineup that correctly revealed the screen sizes of the four models months ahead of their debut.Ahead of the release of any new iPhone generation, there are generally a lot of rumors around any changed elements. This is particularly true for claims regarding the cameras to be included.
Veteran leaker Sonny Dickson has followed up on early CAD designs showing off a previously-rumored “camera bar” style coming to most iPhone 17 models. On March 15, he published photos of metal molds that follow the same lines as his earlier leak.
Molds are typically created to give third-party case makers an idea of the configuration and size of the upcoming iPhone models. The molds are often based on rumors rather than information from Apple, and thus sometimes prove inaccurate.
Various images and even videos that have circulated online presume that the regular iPhone 17 model is likely to have a traditional dual-camera arrangement with the flash on the left side. The other three models will debut a new camera bar design that has been recently rumored.
The thinner model, likely to be called either the iPhone 17e or iPhone 17 Air, will sport a single “2-in-1” camera currently used by the iPhone 16e. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models are shown to have the usual three camera lenses on the back, with the flash and sensors separated to the right side.
In the picture of the molds, the camera bump for the iPhone 17e or Air is noticeably more pronounced than on the other models. This would be due to a rumored redesign coming to the model to make the body of the iPhone substantially thinner.
There has been no verification that the molds are genuine, but Dickson has a good track record in revealing future iPhone models. In April 2024, he showed mockups of the iPhone 16 lineup that correctly revealed the screen sizes of the four models months ahead of their debut.Charles Martin is a Contributing Editor for AppleInsider with over a decade of experience covering Apple, and produces the AppleInsider Daily podcast. He is a writer, performer, podcaster, and broadcaster, specializin…I hoped any camera bump re-design would allow for a more stable tabletop experience. If the phone is on a table and you tap the screen near the left side of the Dynamic Island the phone wobbles. It’s a minor thing but feels like a silly oversight of design.
I hoped any camera bump re-design would allow for a more stable tabletop experience. If the phone is on a table and you tap the screen near the left side of the Dynamic Island the phone wobbles. It’s a minor thing but feels like a silly oversight of design.
braytonak said:
I hoped any camera bump re-design would allow for a more stable tabletop experience. If the phone is on a table and you tap the screen near the left side of the Dynamic Island the phone wobbles. It’s a minor thing but feels like a silly oversight of design.
Assuming these molds are accurate, only the iPhone 17e will have the problem you are talking about.That said, I don’t know anyone who puts any iPhone face up on a table.
Assuming these molds are accurate, only the iPhone 17e will have the problem you are talking about.
braytonak said:
I hoped any camera bump re-design would allow for a more stable tabletop experience. If the phone is on a table and you tap the screen near the left side of the Dynamic Island the phone wobbles. It’s a minor thing but feels like a silly oversight of design.
Would it be better to make the phone all exactly as thick as the camera thickness? I care very little about cameras and I think that would be a very bad decision.
Would it be better to make the phone all exactly as thick as the camera thickness? I care very little about cameras and I think that would be a very bad decision.
Xed said:
braytonak said:
I hoped any camera bump re-design would allow for a more stable tabletop experience. If the phone is on a table and you tap the screen near the left side of the Dynamic Island the phone wobbles. It’s a minor thing but feels like a silly oversight of design.
Would it be better to make the phone all exactly as thick as the camera thickness? I care very little about cameras and I think that would be a very bad decision.
As good as that sounds, it will for sure make the phone pretty hefty and increase costs from the increase in materials and the battery.
As good as that sounds, it will for sure make the phone pretty hefty and increase costs from the increase in materials and the battery.I’ve used and use a case on all my phones so the bump has never been a problem. Outside of my house or office or when not alone my phone is never face-up.Making the back of the phone the same thickness as the rest of the bump would use more metal and increase the weight and possibly the cost of the phone. Weight wouldn’t be a consideration for most of us but Apple trims ‘fat’ so as to maximize profit which is sometimes a benefit for the rest of us. I think they would see it as a significant needless expense. I think they’d be right. Less than The Notch I think this is more of an issue than a problem and not one for the majority of customers.
I’ve used and use a case on all my phones so the bump has never been a problem. Outside of my house or office or when not alone my phone is never face-up.Making the back of the phone the same thickness as the rest of the bump would use more metal and increase the weight and possibly the cost of the phone. Weight wouldn’t be a consideration for most of us but Apple trims ‘fat’ so as to maximize profit which is sometimes a benefit for the rest of us. I think they would see it as a significant needless expense. I think they’d be right. Less than The Notch I think this is more of an issue than a problem and not one for the majority of customers.Starting from iOS 18.1, you can set ChatGPT as the default search engine in Safari. Here’s how to use the LLM service for your browser queries.Jeff Pu has shared a report repeating several rumors, including Ming-Chi Kuo’s earlier report suggesting all iPhone 17 models would get Apple’s custom Wi-Fi chips.Eliminate cord clutter with the Baseus Nomos 5-in-1 Desktop Charger, a pint-sized desktop charger that packs a punch.The iOS 18.3.2 update appears to have introduced a bug related to Apple’s Mail application, as multiple users now claim that emails only appear in their inbox after a manual refresh.Apple’s moved on to the fourth generation of its operating system updates, testing new builds of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, tvOS 18.4, watchOS 11.4, and visionOS 2.4 set.On this week’s new episode of HomeKit Insider, founder and CEO of Ome Kitchen, Akshita Iyer, joins to talk through this week’s news such as the delay of next-gen Siri, the demise of the Sonos streaming box, and testing robotic vacuum cleaners in the Home app with iOS 18.4.M4 Mac mini prices have been slashed, with M4 configs dipping to as low as $529 and M4 Pro models plunging to $1,294.The iPhone Fold is probably going to be an extremely expensive proposition to consumers, with analysts believing it could cost more than buying an M4 Max Mac Studio.Jeff Pu has shared a report repeating several rumors, including Ming-Chi Kuo’s earlier report suggesting all iPhone 17 models would get Apple’s custom Wi-Fi chips.Analyst Jeff Pu claims that Apple is about to start prototyping its first two foldable devices, with mass production scheduled for 2026.Apple had originally planned to make the iPhone 17 Air the first completely wireless model, but has apparently changed its mind on that front.
