Alleged iPhone 17 dummy units indicate metal and glass back panels

Apple is expected to have a different construction for the upcoming iPhone 17 series and the latest dummy units suggest the new phones, at least the Pro models, will feature glass and metal back panels. A known leaker shared an image on X showing dummies of the four expected models with differentiated areas where glass and metal, likely aluminum, will be used. As to whether Apple is getting rid of titanium for its Pro models entirely, remains to be seen. 

Sonny Dickson, the leaker who has been sharing iPhone 17 leaks for weeks now has posted an image on X showing dummy units of iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. While the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air seem to have a seamless back panel design, besides the camera bump, the Pro models have a rounded rectangular section below the camera bump that is said to be the glass section. The rest of the back is expected to be aluminum, but the area where the MagSafe charging coil lives seems to be glass.

The camera bumps are in line with other leaks that have surfaced online, with the iPhone 17 Air featuring a Pixel-like camera bar. The Pro and Pro Max models have a larger camera bump housing supposedly three cameras and taking up the entire width of the top of the phone. 

Late last year, there were reports of Apple switching to a glass and aluminum construction for its next iPhone models, but there was also a lot of discourse about the legitimacy of this claim since Apple was heavily focused on using more premium materials for its Pro models. It could still be possible that Apple uses a titanium trim around the Pro models to make them stand out and also have a somewhat more premium feel.

It should be noted that Apple has not shared any information about the next generation of iPhone models so this information should be taken with a pinch of salt.