Long before the iPhone 16’s official release, there were whispers that Apple would adopt a side-by-side camera layout, aimed at enhancing the phone’s ability to capture spatial video across all three lenses. However, that didn’t materialize with the iPhone 16. Now, a trusted leaker suggests that this horizontal camera bump will be introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro.
Will the iPhone 17 Pro adopt a horizontal camera design?
The leaker behind this prediction is Weibo user Digital Chat Station, who has gained a reliable reputation for previous leaks, including accurate information about the telephoto lens and larger sensor size in the iPhone 16 Pro. Their track record adds credibility to the claim that the iPhone 17 Pro may indeed adopt a horizontal camera arrangement for all three lenses.
While the exact ordering of the three lenses remains unclear, the leaker suggests that the horizontal bump will house all of them side by side, as opposed to the vertical stack we’ve seen in prior models. This shift would align with trends in the smartphone industry, where many Android devices are embracing similar layouts for their camera systems.
Meanwhile, a post on Weibo shows an image that it claims is a bare metal frame from the iPhone supply chain. The cameras will be located in the top area, with the ultra-wide-angle lens in the middle (this is the thinnest module, so it helps leave enough space for the Face ID hardware on the other side).
Industry Trends: Android’s Horizontal Camera Bump
It’s important to note that this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a horizontal camera setup. Google’s Pixel 9 Pro, which is expected to debut with a horizontal camera bar, is one such example. Some industry insiders predict that other Android brands will soon follow suit, making this a broader trend in smartphone design.
Interestingly, some commenters point to the Chinese brand Meizu, which introduced a horizontal camera setup in its earlier models. However, in Meizu’s case, the lenses were aligned horizontally rather than stacked, which some believe is a more logical approach, especially considering that most photos and videos are taken in landscape mode. This orientation could enhance usability and aesthetics, making it easier for users to frame shots in both portrait and landscape orientations.
Material Choices: Titanium vs. Aluminum for iPhone 17 Pro
Another report recently suggested that Apple may move away from titanium in favor of aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro. This potential change has raised eyebrows, especially given the premium nature of titanium, which was introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro models. However, some believe this could be a simple misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the terminology being used. Whether the iPhone 17 Pro retains titanium or switches to aluminum, the decision will likely have implications for the device’s durability and overall feel.