For the past several iPhone generations, Apple has kept the design largely the same. There are some changes here and there, but for the most part, it’s the same. That could change with the iPhone 17 series. A new report has revealed a potential design change that Apple could make to the iPhone 17 that could result in a smoother phone.
Subtle changes
This is according to a post on Weibo by Fixed Focus Digital. The poster claims that one of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 is to the edges of the phone and the back cover. Right now, Apple utilizes a flat design language for its iPhone 16 models. The back of the phone and the sides are completely flat. This is unlike some Android devices that are slightly more curved.
The post claims that Apple will employ a new glass-and-metal splicing process. This is said to result in a smoother transition between the different materials. At this point, we’re not quite sure what this means. If we had to guess, we would imagine that it means that the transition between the glass back and the metal frame will be less jarring and more seamless. It could result in the iPhone 17 looking and feeling a lot smoother.
The translation of the post reads, “The splicing materials of the iPhone series have been shared before… The key is that the connection area between the Deco of the fuselage and the back shell is a slope instead of a step.”
Rumored redesign
While this change might be subtle, the rest of the design of the iPhone 17 might not. There have been rumors claiming that the iPhone 17 Pro series could adopt a new camera layout. Right now, the cameras on the iPhone are positioned at the top corner. With the iPhone 17 Pro, the rumors claim that Apple could adopt a design similar to the Google Pixel. This will result in a camera island stretching across the back of the phone.
Additional rumors claim that Apple could also ditch the use of titanium. The iPhone 15 was the first iPhone to use a titanium frame. Apple then brought this feature in the iPhone 16 Pro models. Now, rumors suggest that Apple plans to return to using aluminum for future iPhones. It is unclear why that is, but perhaps the cost and difficulty of working with titanium could have forced Apple’s to make a change.
In addition to using an aluminum frame, the iPhone 17 Pro models could use a half-aluminum and half-glass back. The use of glass on the lower half of the iPhone will help facilitate wireless charging.
The new iPhone 17 models will arrive later in 2025. Apple hasn’t announced a date yet, but based on past releases, it will likely launch it in September.
