Apple is reportedly making a notable design change to its upcoming iPhone 17 series. According to a leak on Weibo, Apple has altered the way the frame connects to the back of the device. Instead of the current “step” design, the frame and glass will reportedly “slope” into one another.
This change, based on the machine-translated leak, suggests that Apple plans to move away from the sharp-edged design introduced with the iPhone 12 series. By curving the frame and glass into one another, Apple aims to improve the in-hand feel, making the device more comfortable to hold.
There are no 3D renders of this new design as of yet.
The leaker has not clarified whether this design shift will apply to all iPhone 17 models or only specific ones. Apple has a history of reserving certain features for its Pro models, so it wouldn’t be surprising if this new design becomes exclusive to the Pro versions. However, there’s also a possibility that the curved frame and back could appear across the entire lineup, bringing a consistent design update to all models.
In addition to the new frame and back design, rumors about the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera module have sparked debate. Early leaks suggested that Apple might replace the current camera island with a camera visor. However, other sources have since refuted this claim, creating uncertainty about the final look of the camera setup. While the details remain unclear, it’s evident that Apple is exploring ways to refresh the iPhone’s overall design.
Apple is likely still finalizing the iPhone 17’s design, and more details will emerge as the launch date approaches. If the rumored curved back design becomes a reality, it could mark a shift toward improved ergonomics and user comfort.