iPhone 17 Pro Tipped to Feature a Significantly Larger Camera Island
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro is once again making headlines, and this time it's all about its redesigned camera system. According to recent leaks based on phone case designs, the Pro models in the iPhone 17 series may feature a massive camera island—perhaps the largest ever seen on an iPhone.
Biggest Camera Island Yet?
Leaks suggest that the new camera module could span nearly one-third of the rear panel, hinting at a more dominant and upgraded camera design. Unlike previous claims about a dual-tone finish, the latest reports indicate the camera module may actually blend with the overall color of the phone’s body, maintaining a more unified aesthetic.
Design Shift – But Only for the Camera
While some sources had speculated about sweeping design changes in the iPhone 17 lineup—such as smaller Dynamic Islands and dual-tone backs—newer insights suggest that the overall design will largely resemble that of the iPhone 16 series. The biggest visual change might be limited to the camera island alone.
Leaker Sonny Dickson shared images of a case prototype that supports these claims, showcasing a horizontal camera bar stretching across the top—echoing earlier leaks.
Gurman’s Take: Subtle Changes Ahead
Tech analyst Mark Gurman, in his recent newsletter, echoed this idea, stating that the iPhone 17 Pro models might not undergo any major redesign, contrary to popular expectations. However, he did mention that the rear camera would appear notably different, even if the rest of the phone doesn’t change dramatically.
Gurman also dismissed the idea of a two-tone back, asserting that the camera housing will match the color of the chassis, reinforcing Apple's trend toward gradual visual evolution rather than bold shifts.
Also Read: POCO C71 Hits Flipkart – Budget Beast with 5200mAh Battery Now on Sale!
Camera Capabilities Set for Major Upgrade
Beyond design, the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to raise the bar in photography. Reports suggest the Pro models will feature an upgraded 48MP telephoto lens with an 85mm focal length (35mm equivalent), improving portrait photography and low-light performance.
This would be a step up from the current 12MP 120mm telephoto lens on the iPhone 16 Pro series. However, there may be a trade-off—the optical zoom might drop from 5x to 3.5x. Despite this, Apple is rumored to introduce up to 7x "lossless" digital zoom, using in-sensor crop technology similar to what’s implemented in the current primary sensor.
Front Camera Gets a Boost Too
The selfie experience is expected to see a notable enhancement, with the TrueDepth camera reportedly upgraded from 12MP to 24MP. Additionally, for the first time, all three rear cameras—wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto—are expected to shift to 48MP sensors.
