While recent iPhone upgrades have felt incremental, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max are expected to deliver the most distinctive changes in years - both in appearance and user experience.

Scheduled for release later this year, the iPhone 17 Pro line will feature several major upgrades that could redefine Apple’s flagship smartphone, marking a departure from the repetitive design and feel of recent models.

Redesigned rear camera layout

For the first time since the iPhone 11 Pro, Apple is reimagining the rear camera module.

Although the triangular lens arrangement remains, the iconic rounded square camera bump in the corner will be replaced by a horizontal camera bar stretching across the back of the phone. Elements such as the LiDAR scanner, flash, and microphone will now be positioned to the right of this new camera strip.

Early concept images suggest the camera bar will match the body color, offering a more seamless aesthetic. According to @Mia_Kacurage on X (formerly Twitter), the redesign stems from Apple’s decision to upgrade the 12MP telephoto lens to a new 48MP version.

The larger sensor requires the telephoto lens to be oriented vertically, displacing the LiDAR scanner, which is now moved to the far end of the module alongside the LED flash and microphone.

New aluminum alloy back panel

Another major change is Apple’s reported return to an aluminum frame, moving away from the stainless steel and titanium used in previous Pro models.

This shift to aluminum allows Apple to rethink the rear panel design. According to CAD render leaks from Sonny Dickson, the iPhone 17 Pro will feature an aluminum alloy back combined with a separate glass panel to support wireless charging and MagSafe functionality - a notable departure from the single-glass backplate design used for years.

Vapor chamber cooling system

Apple is rumored to equip the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max with a vapor chamber cooling system, enabling better heat dissipation during intensive use.

This system will likely improve sustained performance during gaming and reduce overheating during fast charging or extended use. Thermal throttling - where performance drops due to heat - may no longer be an issue.

Other notable upgrades

In addition to these major changes, the iPhone 17 Pro will include a variety of smaller upgrades that, while not game-changing on their own, contribute to a richer user experience.

Among them: a new Apple-designed Wi-Fi chip, 12GB of RAM, a completely new 24MP front camera, a 48MP telephoto camera, and the ability to record video from both front and rear cameras simultaneously via the native Camera app.

While early rumors hinted that the iPhone 17 Pro Max might feature a smaller Dynamic Island, recent information suggests this is unlikely.

If you’ve been waiting for an iPhone that truly feels new - both in design and performance - this year’s iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max could be your answer. Alongside these flagship models, Apple is also expected to introduce the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air and a standard iPhone 17 in September.

Hai Phong