Surprising iPhone 17 design gives off Pixel vibes: Leak

The design of Apple’s iPhones have remained more or less the same for the past several generations. This could finally change in 2025 with the design of the iPhone 17. According to a post on Chinese social media platform, Weibo, tipster Digital Chat Station has shared a potential render on what the rumored iPhone 17 Air could look like.

Hello iPixel?

One thing to note is that the render shared by Digital Chat Station isn’t technically a leak. The tipster writes that this is based on information they gained from the supply chain materials. Assuming that the render is somewhat accurate, it’s hard not to draw comparisons with Google’s more recent Pixel smartphones.

The most notable similarity has to be the camera module. The majority of smartphone makers tend to keep the camera modules towards the side of the phone. The camera lenses are also usually arranged in a vertical or box-like orientation. Google has defied the industry design norms with a horizontal camera module that stretches across the back of the phone.

This render suggests that this could be something Apple wants to emulate. Also, the renders show off edges and corners that are noticeably softer and rounder compared to the iPhone 16.

What’s interesting is that Digital Chat Station is not alone in believing this could be a potential redesign. Another image shared on Weibo shows what is allegedly the design of frame of the new iPhone 17 taken from Apple’s supply chain.

It is quite similar to the render, although there is a big hole in the back and its purpose remains unclear.

The iPhone 17 Air

One thing a little confusing about this post is that Digital Chat Station mentions the iPhone 17 series (Slim). There is a chance that this could be in reference to the rumored iPhone 17 Air. which was first reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

According to the rumors, Apple is working on a new and slimmer version of the iPhone 17 series. The rumors are calling it the iPhone 17 Air and it is expected to debut alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 models. It could also have the potential to replace the “Plus” model. Apparently it will be 2mm thinner than the iPhone 16 Pro.

It is possible that due to Apple’s design to slim down the phone, the design of the internal components had to be rearranged. This could explain why Apple might adopt a brand new camera layout.

Digital Chat Station does have a pretty good track record, but as with all rumors, it’s best to take it with a grain of salt. This render represents quite a radical design and feels rather un-Apple like.