iPhone 17 Pro Max: New “Unofficial” Images Reveal Apple’s Bold Design Shift

The early leaks of the iPhone 17 series design didn’t exactly impress, but now we have higher-quality renders based on recently leaked schematics—and they tell a different story. Apple appears to be taking a bold new direction, rearranging the rear camera layout in a style reminiscent of Google’s Pixel lineup. Today we learn more about the iPhone 17 Pro Max design. Additionally, the back cover construction might move away from a fully glass design to a hybrid of metal and glass, with the latter reserved for the area housing the wireless charging coil.

A New “Visor” Camera Design for iPhone 17 Pro Max

The images come from Wylsacom, a prominent Russian tech creator known for his early scoops. Notably, Wylsacom previously leaked the M4-equipped MacBook Pro weeks ahead of its announcement, lending credibility to this latest information.

The featured device is the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is expected to maintain the massive 6.9-inch display introduced with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. According to rumors, the hardware configuration includes a 120Hz ProMotion display, a new A19 Pro chip, and—for the first time in iPhone history—12GB of RAM. All three rear cameras are said to feature 48MP sensors, which may explain the significant design changes.

The new camera arrangement, with lenses lined up horizontally in a “visor” across the back, could pave the way for better internal component organization, such as a larger battery or restructured logic board. Notably, Apple’s telephoto camera, which has been stuck at 12MP with a small sensor, is long overdue for an upgrade—one that could help the iPhone compete with rivals who excel in zoom performance.

Dual-Tone Back and Redesigned Rear Panel

The rear panel’s design blends a dual-tone aesthetic, with the outer edges and sides made of metal while the center section remains glass. This area will house components like NFC, wireless charging modules, and MagSafe magnets. The new look, combined with the “visor” camera setup stretching across the device’s width, gives the Pro Max a distinctly different vibe compared to its predecessors.

What About Usability?

Unfortunately, the Camera Control button seems to retain the same placement as on the iPhone 16 Pro Max—too far from the corner to be comfortably accessible during regular use. It’s a design choice that might frustrate users hoping for improved ergonomics.

A Design That’s Growing on Us

Now that these higher-quality renders give us a clearer picture, the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s design no longer feels as “weird” as it did with early leaks. It’s likely that Apple’s bold choices will once again influence other manufacturers, just as its square-camera module with rounded corners did. As soon as the iPhone 17 series hits the market, expect competitors to incorporate similar design elements into their own devices.

What do you think of Apple’s bold moves? Let us know in the comments below!

via wylsa

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Passionate about design, especially smartphones, gadgets and tablets. Blogging on this site since 2008 and discovering prototypes and trends before bigshot companies sometimes