Apple’s iPhone 17 Lineup Draws Backlash Over New Design
Full-width camera island, revised glass back and bold color options prompt comparisons to Android as preorders open Sept. 12
Apple unveiled its iPhone 17 lineup on Tuesday, drawing immediate criticism from users who said the new Pro models’ design departs from the company’s longtime aesthetic.
The iPhone 17 series — which includes the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and a thinner iPhone Air — features what Apple said are more powerful chips, improved battery life and new cameras Apple says offer up to four times the resolution of the previous generation. But the Pro and Pro Max models adopt a full-width camera island that spans the top third of the devices and a redesigned glass back panel, changes that prompted sharp reaction on social media platform X and other forums.
Users on X described the look as a departure from Apple’s established design language. "iPhone 17 Pro, our ugliest iPhone ever," one post said. Others wrote that the camera bar resembles rival designs, with one user comparing it to the Google Pixel 10 and another writing, "It looks like an ugly Android phone." Some consumers used harsher language, calling the design "terrible" or saying the company had become "a parody of themselves."
The Pro models will be available in three finishes: silver, deep blue and "cosmic orange." The absence of a black color option drew additional criticism. Apple showed the iPhone 17 Pro in public settings, including a moment Apple posted of Senior Vice President of Services Eddy Cue taking a selfie with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon at a season premiere, highlighting the company’s focus on camera performance and lifestyle marketing.
Apple said the redesigned glass back is intended to improve wireless charging, replacing the smooth back panels of recent models. The full-width camera island houses the upgraded imaging hardware that Apple described as delivering substantial increases in resolution and capability. The company also touted processor and battery improvements across the lineup.
Analysts and users noted that some design elements had leaked in earlier dummy images posted to social platforms, and the official reveal confirmed the changes. Commenters compared the new look to rival Android designs and expressed disappointment that Apple did not keep a more familiar silhouette on the Pro models.
Pricing for the iPhone 17 Pro begins at $1,099 for the 256-gigabyte configuration, the company said, matching the price point of last year’s 256GB Pro but eliminating the lower-capacity $999 Pro option that was available previously. Apple said preorders start on Sept. 12 and the phones will be on sale Sept. 19.
Reactions to Apple product designs have long factored into debates among the company’s customers and competitors. The iPhone 17 launch illustrates a recurring tension between hardware upgrades and aesthetic expectations: while Apple emphasized technical advances and camera capability, some longtime users focused their criticism on the devices’ outward appearance and color choices. Apple’s release schedule and pricing indicate the company is maintaining its premium positioning even as it shifts certain visual elements of its flagship models.
Preorder and sale dates, model availability and specifications are published by Apple. Consumers interested in the new models can consult Apple’s website and retail channels for full technical details and purchase options beginning Sept. 12.