Highlights

• Clear case images for the iPhone 17 Pro series reveal a wide camera bar stretching across the phone’s back.
• Speculation suggests the bar could house a 48-megapixel 10x optical zoom telephoto camera and a relocated LiDAR sensor.
• Some reports note that the wide camera bump might impact MagSafe usability.

It seems we finally have a clearer picture of just how big Apple’s new iPhone camera bar might be since iPhone 17 Pro clear case images leaked. Tech leaker Sonny Dickson has shared a real-world photo of two clear cases said to be for the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro series, expected this fall.

Caption – Leaked images of upcoming iPhone 17 Pro series clear cases. (@SonnyDickson on X)

We already knew the camera bump would stretch across the back of the phone, but these cases show just how wide it might be. Dickson posted the images on X (formerly Twitter) recently and wrote, “wow, that camera hole is huge! Apple’s really turning heads with this design.”

First look at some cases for the new iPhone 17 Pro — wow, that camera hole is huge! Apple’s really turning heads with this design. pic.twitter.com/IKJ4DqksCE

— Sonny Dickson (@SonnyDickson) April 9, 2025

Apple is rumoured to be bringing this new design to three models, including the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and the thinner iPhone 17 Air. The camera bar design is said to be similar to what we’ve seen on Google Pixel phones.

Caption – The upcoming iPhone camera module design explain. (Image credit – @Mia_Kacurage on X)

As for why the camera bar is so wide, there’s a theory going around on social media from user @mia_kacurage on X. According to them, the nearly edge-to-edge bar could be making room for an upgraded telephoto camera. Their concept and explanation suggest that Apple might be rotating the larger telephoto lens and moving the LiDAR sensor to fit in a 48-megapixel 10x optical zoom camera.

Tech Breakdown of the iPhone 17 Pro Design

The camera module design of the professional iPhones has remained unchanged for six years, but the iPhone 17 Pro will introduce a redesign due to a new 48MP telephoto lens with 10x lossless zoom.

Increasing the megapixel count reduces… pic.twitter.com/9rQgRa1zVD

— Notitled (@Mia_Katsuragi) April 4, 2025

Of course, we won’t know for sure until the iPhone 17 Pro gets taken apart later this year, but if this theory holds up, it could explain Apple’s bold new camera layout.

In the meantime, these leaked cases offer a sneak peek and they raise some practical questions.

Tech published 9to5Mac in its recent reports notes that “If the camera bump was any larger, it would creep into MagSafe territory.” And with so much of the back of the phone still exposed, it might feel like “people will have to start buying a case for their case.”

The new design definitely gives us a lot to think about and maybe even rethink how we use phone cases altogether.

FAQs

Q1. What does the leaked design of the iPhone 17 Pro cases reveal?

Answer. The design reveals a wide camera bar stretching across the back of the phone, sparking questions about its practicality and potential impact on usability.

Q2.What features might the wide camera bar include?

Answer. It is speculated to house a 48-megapixel 10x optical zoom telephoto camera and a relocated LiDAR sensor for enhanced photography capabilities.

Q3. How could the wide camera bump affect device compatibility?

Answer. The wide bump could interfere with MagSafe usability and might require users to rethink phone cases, possibly needing specialised cases for protection.

Also Read: Apple’s Foldable iPhone Could Come with a Compact Display

Also Read: iPhone 17 Pro Series Could Bring a Big Camera Change and Vapour Chamber Cooling