Leaked iPhone 17 metal molds show off new camera protrusions

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in Future Apple Hardware edited March 17

The 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.

Four metallic phone molds, showcasing different camera configurations, are placed vertically on a wooden surface.
Leaked photos of molds for the upcoming iPhone 17 line. Image Credit: Sonny Dickson



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 - Sonny Dickson
Leaked photos of the alleged iPhone 17 lineup's side views. Image Credit: Sonny Dickson



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.

Rumor Score: Possible

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    braytonakbraytonak Posts: 27member
    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. 
    programmerwilliamlondonwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 2 of 6
    chasmchasm Posts: 3,719member
    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.
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 3 of 6
    Xedxed Posts: 3,093member
    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.
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 4 of 6
    apple4thewinapple4thewin Posts: 422member
    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.
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 5 of 6
    macguimacgui Posts: 2,547member
    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.
    neoncatwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 6 of 6
    macguimacgui Posts: 2,547member
    It's disappointing that anyone would reveal secrets about a product that hasn't shipped yet. I've always enjoyed the conjecture of what the next product will be or what its features are, without any leaks. But those days are gone and it's really impossible to make a product in secret.

    But I would like to see an employee(s) who for the sake of clicks reveals secrets, caught and get their ass handed to them. That must happen a lot less than I'd want.
    neoncatwatto_cobra
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