We yesterday got a look at what is claimed to be the iPhone 17 Air camera bump, and the reaction hasn’t been … overly favorable.
While we don’t know for sure that the photo shows the real thing, our own sources indicate that the design depicted is probably accurate …
It’s easier than ever to create fake images these days, using either AI or 3D printers, but we noted that this one does at least align with what our own sources tell us.
Majin Bu has a mixed track record when it comes to sharing Apple hardware leaks – particularly this early in a rumor cycle. However, I have also seen separate CAD drawings from previously accurate sources that corroborate this camera bar-style design for the iPhone 17 Air.
Commentators weren’t impressed.
“It looks pretty dumb in these photos.”
“It seems so top-heavy and unbalanced. As others noted it looks similar to the Pixel 9, however that visually looks better to me.”
“Pixel 9, is that you?”
“Oh man. That was a good laugh.”
“I don’t like the look of that. It looks odd.”
“This looks awful.”
It’s worth noting a couple of things, however. First, these leaks always seem to be poor-quality photos, and in this case we also have the distortion created by what appears to be vacuum-sealed plastic packaging. Those are pretty challenging conditions for anything to look good!
While I agree it looks terrible in this photo, I don’t think it will in reality.
Second, human beings are resistant to change, and we see a consistent three-step pattern with any new Apple design: everyone hates it, everyone gets used to it, no-one could imagine it being any other way.
One thing many of us will welcome is that the phone won’t wobble when placed on a desk or table! I’m not a fan of camera bumps in general – though do accept that we couldn’t have the entire phone as thick as the camera module, so they are unavoidable – but hate the way iPhones wobble when you try to use them on a flat surface. Even if it’s just swiping away a notification, it bugs me.
This design would at least solve that issue, and it would also slightly tilt the display toward the user, which is a bonus when not accompanied by wobbling.
Reminiscent of the Nexus 6P
As several people commented, the design is reminiscent of the Google/Huawei Nexus 6P from way back in 2015. All I’ve done is removed a couple of extraneous elements to give an idea of what this kind of bump could look like in reality, I honestly don’t see anything wrong with it.
So although I don’t expect to be in the market for the iPhone 17 Air personally – I’ll be sticking with the Pro Max for screen size and camera features – I wouldn’t mind owning a phone with this design.
Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns (edited by 9to5Mac)
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
