Highlights
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max may feature a smaller Dynamic Island due to a new metalens Face ID system.
- Leaks suggest the iPhone 17 Pro might have a wider camera bar across the back.
- There are conflicting reports about the final design and features.
The iPhone 17 launch is still a long way to go but that doesn’t mean we won’t get reports since leaks are already making the rounds. Popular tipster Digital Chat Station recently shared an update on the iPhone 17 Pro Max revealing that it could feature a smaller Dynamic Island, thanks to a new metalens Face ID system that reduces its size. Here’s what we know so far.
iPhone 17 Pro Max Could Get a Smaller Dynamic Island
Digital Chat Station posted on Weibo saying, “The iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a metal meta-lens, which will integrate Face ID Rx and Tx, reduce the size of the structural components, and further reduce the size of the Smart Island.” (translated via Google Translate)
Metalenses are ultra-thin optical lenses that use nanostructures to manipulate light more efficiently than traditional lenses. By incorporating this technology, Apple could shrink the Face ID components making the Dynamic Island smaller and allowing for more screen space.
Caption – Metalens (image credit – Ansys)
Explaining the benefits of Metalens, American company Ansys explains, “The metalens is a flat, lightweight option that can replace bulky traditional lenses and other components in optical systems. A single thin metalens can combine the functionality of multiple optical components in a complex system — for example, replacing the mask and lens system used in a traditional dot projector. Metalenses can also be used to achieve additional functionalities like polarisation manipulation and splitting. In fact, polarization is being leveraged to combine functionalities in sources such as dot projectors and diffusers for 3D sensing in applications like AR and computational photography.”
This new Face ID tech is also expected to make its way to future iPad Pro models and Apple’s rumoured foldable iPad, which is speculated to launch next year. However, this claim contradicts a previous report from Ming-Chi Kuo, who stated that the entire iPhone 17 lineup would keep the same Dynamic Island as the iPhone 16 series.
Meanwhile, analyst Jeff Pu has maintained since the beginning of the iPhone 17 Pro Max new cycle that it will have a much reduced Dynamic Island.
The point is, since there’s no official confirmation yet, it’s best to take these rumours with caution.
New Camera Design Could Change the Look of the iPhone 17 Pro
In a separate leak, we have the look of the iPhone 17 Pro leaked in a YouTube Video. Posted by the YouTube channel Front Page Tech (FPT), Leaker Jon Prosser recently shared 3D renders suggesting that instead of the familiar square-shaped camera bump, the iPhone 17 Pro could feature a much wider “camera bar” across the back.
Before we discuss further, here’s for you to check out the FPT video –
While the arrangement of the three main camera lenses is expected to remain the same, the LED flash, microphone and LiDAR sensor will likely be positioned on the right side of the bar. Previous leaks suggested a horizontal lens alignment, but Prosser claims the layout won’t change.
He also clarified that reports of a “two-tone” back were misunderstood and the phone will still have a single colour but the camera bar will have a darker tone to create contrast.
A separate leak posted by popular tipster MajinBuOfficial on X (formerly Twitter) pointed to a wide rear camera bar on the rumoured iPhone 17 Air, which would extend across the entire back of the phone.
It indicates that the iPhone 17 Pro will be lighter than current models, possibly due to a shift in materials or design refinements.
With different reports suggesting conflicting details, the final design of the iPhone 17 Pro remains uncertain.
FAQs
Q1. What is the expected feature of the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s Dynamic Island?
Answer. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature a smaller Dynamic Island, thanks to a new metalens Face ID system that reduces the size of structural components.
Q2. What new camera design is rumoured for the iPhone 17 Pro?
Answer. The iPhone 17 Pro might have a wider “camera bar” across the back, changing from the familiar square-shaped camera bump, as suggested by leaked 3D renders.
Q3. What are metalenses and how do they benefit the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Answer. Metalenses are ultra-thin optical lenses that use nanostructures to manipulate light more efficiently than traditional lenses. They could shrink the Face ID components, making the Dynamic Island smaller and allowing for more screen space.
Q4. Are the rumours about the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max’s new features confirmed?
Answer. No, there are conflicting reports about the final design and features, and it’s best to take these leaks with caution as there’s no official confirmation yet.
Also Read: iPhone 17 Pro Max to Feature Smaller Dynamic Island
Also Read: iPhone 17 Slim to Launch with Major Design Changes in 2025