With Apple’s next iPhone lineup expected to launch in fall 2025, speculation around the iPhone 17 continues to build. While official details remain under wraps, a growing number of rumors suggest Apple may introduce a series of incremental but notable design adjustments across the new models. These rumored iPhone 17 design changes signal potential shifts in how Apple differentiates its devices—both visually and functionally.
One of the most debated topics is the fate of the Dynamic Island, a feature Apple introduced just a few generations ago. Earlier reports hinted that Apple might shrink the size of this interface element on Pro models, possibly by moving Face ID sensors under the display. However, more recent leaks suggest that a visual redesign is coming instead, and it may roll out across the entire iPhone 17 lineup. Whether these changes are software-based or involve hardware remains unclear.
Display size is another area of change. Apple appears poised to slightly increase screen dimensions again, with the standard iPhone 17 expected to feature a 6.3-inch panel and the rumored iPhone 17 Air offering a 6.6-inch screen. This marks a departure from the Plus model’s 6.9-inch size, signaling a move toward sleeker, more compact designs—at least in the Air variant.
In tandem with larger screens, Apple may also narrow the bezels across all iPhone 17 models, making them more consistent with what’s currently seen on the iPhone 16 Pro series. Whether this also brings parity in display technology—such as LTPO panels or brighter HDR performance—remains to be seen.
A potentially bigger shift lies in Apple’s plans for ProMotion and Always-On Display. These features, long exclusive to higher-end iPhones, could finally make their way to the base model. Some reports suggest only ProMotion—a higher refresh rate technology—will be included, while others speculate that Apple may introduce a fixed higher refresh rate as a compromise. Either way, this could reduce the feature gap between Pro and standard models, with Apple likely relying on other hardware differentiators to maintain product segmentation.
Material choices are also expected to evolve. Leaks suggest that Apple will use an aluminum and glass combination across most of the iPhone 17 lineup, including the Pro models, while the iPhone 17 Air may adopt a titanium and glass build. If accurate, this would invert Apple’s traditional material hierarchy, where premium devices typically received more distinctive finishes. It raises questions about how Apple plans to market these shifts—particularly if titanium, which debuted as a Pro feature, becomes part of a mid-tier offering.
A redesigned camera system is another rumored update. The iPhone 17 Air and Pro models may move toward a horizontal camera bar layout, departing from the familiar “stove-top” cluster seen in recent models. According to reports, the LiDAR scanner and flash will shift to the right side of the camera module. The base model, however, is expected to retain its previous-generation camera design, reinforcing its position as the more conservative option in the lineup.
Finally, Apple may adjust the position of its iconic logo. A minor change, but a noticeable one, the Apple logo could be shifted lower on the back of the phone to accommodate the redesigned camera system and internal components like the MagSafe coil. It’s a subtle tweak that most users won’t notice—especially with a case on—but it reflects how even small visual decisions play into Apple’s overall hardware strategy.
As with any pre-launch cycle, these rumors should be taken with caution. But the collective signals point toward a design refresh that’s less about radical overhauls and more about refining the hardware to support broader software and performance updates. For buyers holding out for a major visual revamp, the iPhone 17 may deliver changes that are modest but meaningful.
