Apple appears poised for a design overhaul, moving away from the aesthetics that debuted with the iPhone 11 series. Interestingly, the new direction may not be kicked off by a flagship device but rather by a much-anticipated mid-range model that could introduce a fresh design language for the brand’s smartphones.
Leakster MajinBu, known for a mixed record in revealing Apple information, posted what seems to be the unibody frame for the iPhone 17 series Air. Notably, it features a prominent pill-shaped camera bar at the top, drawing remarkable similarities to the Pixel 9 series smartphones.
The iPhone 17 Air has been surrounded by more mixed rumors than any Apple device in recent years, so it’s wise to take this latest leak with a degree of skepticism. However, this design has been spotted in alleged schematics over the past few months, suggesting it might have some credibility.
The leaked image reveals a single large cutout for the camera lens, aligning with rumors that the iPhone 17 Air will feature only one rear camera due to constraints in its design.
Sources indicate that the phone may be as thin as 5.5 millimeters, potentially making it the sleekest device Apple has ever produced. Bloomberg recently reported that Apple is trialing a model which is almost 2 millimeters thinner than its current flagships, positioning the iPhone 17 Air similarly to the iPhone 6 and Samsung’s anticipated Galaxy S25 Slim.
This new model is expected to replace the “Plus” variant in Apple’s lineup, marking the second time the company has abandoned a fourth model after the brief stint of the “mini” series.
New iPhone 17 Pro details, via @theinformation
Most significant redesign in years
Aluminum frame on all models
Rectangular aluminum camera bump
Partly glass back for wireless charging pic.twitter.com/JjImhsb1zY
— AppleTrack (@appltrack) November 26, 2024
The proposed design raises eyebrows for a few reasons. Firstly, it bears a striking resemblance to the Pixel 9 series, which established a unique identity for Google’s smartphones while maintaining excellent build quality.
Personally, I am a fan of the Pixel 9 and would choose it over any member of the iPhone 16 series without hesitation. Google’s approach feels fresh, distinctive, and exceptionally well-crafted. While iPhones are impressive pieces of technology, it seems unusual for Apple’s design to echo that of a direct competitor.
Apple has typically been an innovator, preferring to observe industry trends and later refine those ideas for its products with a measured strategy. Historically, the company has excelled at standing apart with its design philosophy, making the latest leak regarding the iPhone 17 Air feel somewhat questionable. While it’s certainly not unattractive, I advise waiting until the fall to see how it all plays out—no need for a social media frenzy over Apple potentially losing its design prowess.
