Key Points
- Research suggests the iPhone 17 Pro’s rear camera module has been redesigned with a horizontal, rectangular bar.
- It seems likely that this design accommodates upgraded 48MP sensors for all three rear cameras.
- The evidence leans toward the camera bump being the same color as the device, with no two-tone design.
Device Overview
The iPhone 17 Pro, expected in September 2025, features a significant redesign of its rear camera module. The new design includes a horizontal, rectangular camera bar that spans the width of the device, replacing the traditional square camera island. This layout maintains the triangular arrangement of the three lenses but integrates them into a wider module.
Camera Specifications
The redesign supports upgraded imaging capabilities, with all three rear cameras rumored to have 48MP sensors, up from 12MP in the iPhone 16 Pro. This upgrade includes a 48MP telephoto lens, enhancing image quality and potentially enabling 8K video recording.
Design Details
Reports indicate the camera bump will be the same color as the rest of the iPhone, avoiding a two-tone look. This design is visually reminiscent of Google Pixel’s camera panel and aims for a more symmetrical layout with components like the LiDAR scanner and flash repositioned.
Background on iPhone 17 Pro
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone 17 Pro, in September 2025, following its annual release cycle. The iPhone 17 Pro is anticipated to be a flagship model, sold alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Leaks and rumors have provided significant insight into the device’s design, particularly focusing on the rear camera module, which is the subject of the user’s query.
Camera Module Redesign
The most notable change for the iPhone 17 Pro is the redesign of the rear camera module. Traditionally, Apple has used a square camera island on the back of its Pro models, housing the three lenses in a triangular arrangement. However, recent leaks suggest a shift to a horizontal, rectangular camera bar that spans the width of the device. This design is visually reminiscent of the camera panel on Google’s Pixel phones, such as the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.
According to CAD renders and case designs shared by leakers, the new camera bar integrates the familiar triangular triple-lens array on the left side, with the LiDAR scanner, microphone, and flash relocated to the right for a more symmetrical layout (MacRumors – 5 Biggest Changes Rumored for iPhone 17 Pro). This redesign is supported by multiple sources, including an X post by
@MajinBuOfficial showing a CAD render for a case allegedly for the iPhone 17 Pro (X post, January 2025), and another from February 2025 (X post).
The rationale for this design shift remains unclear, but it may offer practical advantages, such as allowing for larger or more thermally efficient components, improved spatial separation of sensors for more accurate depth mapping, or more efficient internal packaging as Apple continues to shrink the main logic board (MacRumors – 5 Biggest Changes Rumored for iPhone 17 Pro).
Color and Aesthetics
Despite some renders depicting a two-tone design with a darker camera bar, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that the camera area will be the same color as the rest of the device, similar to the iPhone 16 models (MacRumors – iPhone 17 Pro’s New Rear Camera Bar ‘Same Color As Rest of Device’). This suggests a unified aesthetic, with no contrast between the camera bump and the chassis, which could appeal to users seeking a seamless look.
Camera Specifications and Imaging Capabilities
The redesign is not just cosmetic; it also accommodates upgraded camera sensors. The iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to feature a trio of 48MP cameras, including a main camera, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 48MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, up from 12MP in the iPhone 16 Pro (GSMArena – iPhone 17 Pro case shows massive camera island). This upgrade makes it the first iPhone with an all-48MP rear triple-camera array, significantly enhancing image quality and potentially enabling 8K video recording across the lineup (MacRumors – 5 Biggest Changes Rumored for iPhone 17 Pro).
The user’s mention of “image points” could refer to these camera lenses or sensors, and the redesign ensures they are housed within the new, wider camera bar. The increased resolution (48MP per lens) directly impacts the imaging capabilities, offering higher detail for cropping and zooming, which aligns with the concept of “image points” in terms of resolution and quality.
Comparative Analysis with Previous Models
To provide context, the following table compares the rumored camera specs of the iPhone 17 Pro with the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro:
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro (Rumored) | iPhone 16 Pro (2024) | iPhone 15 Pro (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP | 48MP | 48MP |
| Ultrawide Camera | 48MP | 48MP | 12MP |
| Telephoto Camera | 48MP, 5x zoom | 12MP, 5x zoom | 12MP, 3x zoom |
| Camera Module Design | Horizontal bar | Square island | Square island |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K (rumored) | 4K at 120fps | 4K at 60fps |
This table, sourced from leaks on GSMArena and MacRumors, highlights the significant upgrade in the telephoto lens and the redesign of the camera module.
Spatial Video and Technical Considerations
There are concerns about the horizontal layout’s impact on spatial video, as it may not allow the lenses to shoot spatial video in landscape orientation due to alignment issues (MacRumors – iPhone 17: Everything We Know). Apple might address this with techniques like Gaussian splitting, but this casts some doubt on the rumors, as noted by leaker Jon Prosser, whose render was questioned by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman as based on a fake CAD drawing (MacRumors – iPhone 17: Everything We Know).
Market Context and Pricing Expectations
The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to maintain Apple’s premium pricing strategy, with the camera upgrades and redesign potentially justifying a higher price point. The focus on a larger camera bar and improved sensors aligns with Apple’s strategy to enhance flagship features, particularly for photography enthusiasts and professional users.