Rumored iPhone 17 Slim to Feature Camera Bar Design

Recent leaks suggest that Apple might be planning a significant change in the camera design for the iPhone 17 Slim. According to sources from Weibo and X, the new model could feature a horizontal “camera bar” rather than the traditional rear camera bump. This design shift is said to be due to the reduced internal space of the Slim variant, making it challenging for Apple to maintain its current camera layout.

The initial leak, shared by “Digital Chat Station” on Weibo, indicates that the camera system on the iPhone 17 Slim will use a “strip runway” configuration. This would see the camera lenses arranged in a row within a bar-like bump at the top edge of the device, instead of being placed in the corners as with previous iPhone models. A mock-up image included with the leak shows the possibility of three lenses in this arrangement, with a flash located at one end. However, the leaker did not confirm the exact lens setup.

Adding to the intrigue, another leak from “Jukanlosreve” on X, which is believed to be associated with the leaker “Tech_reve,” shows a chassis frame purportedly for the iPhone 17 Slim. This frame also depicts the bar-like bump, corroborating Digital Chat Station’s claim. However, due to the low resolution of the image, it’s difficult to ascertain its authenticity, and it is more likely to be a render than a real prototype.

While both sources have a track record of accurate leaks, doubts remain about this new design. Apple has never used a bar-style camera arrangement in its previous models, and adopting such a design could align the iPhone 17 Slim more closely with Android devices, like the Google Pixel, which have used similar setups. Moreover, the placement of the camera bump at the top could interfere with the front-facing TrueDepth camera system, which is essential for Face ID, raising concerns about the feasibility of this design.

Further complicating matters, there are conflicting rumors about the camera configuration of the iPhone 17 Slim. Some reports suggest that the model might not include a telephoto lens, reserving that feature for the Pro variants, while others speculate that it may feature just a single high-resolution camera sensor to minimize the bump and adhere to the “Slim” design philosophy. Apple could potentially use advanced software techniques to simulate zoom levels, as seen in previous iPhone models.

With these conflicting reports and limited information, it remains uncertain whether the iPhone 17 Slim will adopt this camera bar design or stick to a more traditional approach.