First actual photo of an Apple iPhone 17 Air case is giving Google Pixel vibes

Google – ahem, I mean Apple – is set to unveil four new iPhones in September as usual. However, with one notable exception, the upcoming models may look vastly different from the current iPhone 16 lineup. After someone shared their hands-on experience with all four iPhone 17 dummies, it became clear that the two Pro models and the newly added slim variant, rumoured to be named “iPhone 17 Air”, have undergone a major redesign.

This device will reportedly measure just 5.5 mm (0.21 in) thin and, according to a fairly reliable specs leak from the well-respected analyst Mark Gurman, will feature a 6.6-inch display to replace the iPhone 16 Plus. Much like the previous “Mini” models, the iPhone 16 Plus didn’t sell as well as its peers from the same generation. The base model is likely the only iPhone 17 to retain the iPhone 16's design language, though it is also expected to receive technical improvements, such as a significantly upgraded front camera.

After case renders for the iPhone 17 Pro Max were released a few weeks ago, an actual photo of the first protective case for the Air model has now surfaced, around six months ahead of the iPhone 17 lineup's launch. The iPhone 17 Air’s design, in particular, strongly resembles a Google Pixel phone with its thick camera bar stratching across the entire back, although the Pixel’s camera visor isn’t positioned all the way at the top. Nonetheless, leaker Sonny Dickson probably isn’t alone in picking up the Pixel vibes from the case – a design change that Apple fans may need to adjust to.