Example of the proposed camera placement on the iPhone 17 Slim – Image courtesy of Digital Chat Station/Weibo
11 Facebook x.com Reddit Rumor Score 🤔 Possibly
At least one iPhone 17 model could get a camera bump instead of the usual notch, according to a pair of new, overlapping rumors.
The rumored iPhone 17 Slim would be a difficult device for Apple to manufacture due to its reduced internal space. While design changes are expected, two sources believe it could radically change the way it handles cameras.
According to “Digital Chat Station” on Weibo, allegedly based on supply chain materials, the iPhone 17 design will change the rear camera bump configuration from the current angular styles. Instead, it will use “a kind of strip-shaped runway” for the camera module.
In the mockup image accompanying the post, this takes the form of a row of camera modules in a strip-like protrusion on the top edge. While the tipster doesn't know the “lens layout details,” the image suggests there could be three lenses, with a flash on one side.
Adding to the confusion is an image shared by “Jukanlosreve” on X, allegedly sourced from Weibo. It shows an alleged iPhone frame that includes a strip-like protrusion on one end, matching the Digital Chat Station rumors.
Alleged iPhone 17 Slim Frame – Image Credit: Jukanlosreve/X
At such a low resolution, it's hard to tell whether this is real or a render. At this stage in the process, the latter is more likely.
Digital Chat Station has been accurate with camera details in the past.
Meanwhile, Jukanlosreve is a relatively young X account that is currently believed to be another name for serial leaker “Tech_reve” and “Revegnus.” Under their previous names, they have shared a variety of leaks about Apple products, as well as rumors from other sources.
Most recently, this included a leaked display roadmap for Apple hardware obtained from analysts.
Rather than more detailed reporting or a greater concentration of leaks and reports, this seems like a questionable design choice for a few reasons.
Questionable Design
First, Apple has not used a bezel layout on iPhones in the past. This could end up looking like the Google Pixel lineup and other Android devices, which may not quite fit the image Apple is aiming for with its own hardware.
While this is just a sample image, it also seems unlikely that Apple would place the notch so high. Even with the notch expanding the physical capacity in that spot, there would still be some interference with the TrueDepth front-facing camera used for Face ID.
Indeed, it may not have to deal with that many cameras at all. One report claimed that the iPhone 17 Air or Slim won't have a telephoto lens, depending on which rumor you believe, as it would be reserved for the Pro models only.
AppleInsider's renders of a potential iPhone 17 Slim suggest the possibility of Apple downgrading to a single camera to minimize the bump and continue the “Slim” concept. Apple could use a single high-resolution sensor to simulate two levels of optical zoom, a trick modern iPhones do to great effect.
Rumor Score
🤔
Possible
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