Ahead of the release of a new iPhone, there's usually a slew of rumors surrounding any changing elements, especially claims about the camera, and the latest source of a string of iPhone 17 leaks is metal molds for the upcoming model, most of which feature an oversized camera bump that separates the flash and sensor from the lens.
Veteran leaker Sonny Dickson followed up on an early CAD design, showing off the previously rumored "camera header" style that will be applied to most iPhone 17 models. On March 15, he posted photos of metal molds that were identical to the information he had previously leaked.
Molds are typically made to give third-party case manufacturers an idea of the configuration and dimensions of upcoming iPhone models. These molds are often based on rumors rather than official information, and therefore sometimes prove to be inaccurate.
According to various pictures and even videos circulating on the Internet, the ordinary iPhone 17 model is likely to use a traditional dual-camera layout with the flash on the left. The other three models will adopt the recently rumored new camera head design.
The thinner model may be named iPhone 17e or iPhone 17 Air, and it will use the single "2-in-1" camera currently used in the iPhone 16e. The back of the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models shows the usual three camera lenses, with the flash and sensor separated on the right.
In the mold pictures, the camera bump of iPhone17e or Air is obviously more obvious than other models. This may be due to the rumored redesign that will make the iPhone body significantly thinner.
The authenticity of these molds cannot be confirmed at this time, but Dickson has a good track record of revealing future iPhone models. In April 2024, he showed off mockups of the iPhone 16 lineup, correctly showing the screen sizes of the four models, months ahead of their debut.