iPhone 17 Pro Allegedly Spotted in Public with Bold New Camera Design and Pro-Focused Upgrades

Highlights

• Alleged real-world images of iPhone 17 Pro show a horizontal camera bar with triple lenses, LED flash, LiDAR and a mic.
• Other camera specs rumours suggest 8× optical zoom, a second physical camera button, and a new first-party Pro camera app aimed at creators and professionals.
• Expected enhancements include multi-camera video recording, larger battery, improved thermal management and anti-reflective display.

We already know that Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17 series this September, which means this is peak season for iPhone rumours. Based on recent leaks, it appears the upcoming iPhone Pro models could mark one of the biggest overhauls in recent years.

Key highlights may include a revamped body design, 8x optical zoom and the introduction of two physical camera control buttons. And adding to the lore, we might have just got our first live images of the iPhone 17 Pro model.

Alleged iPhone 17 Pro Spotted

Caption – Did we just catch the test development of the upcoming iPhone Pro out in the open? (Image credit –  @Skyfops on X)

What could be our first real-world glimpse of the iPhone 17 Pro has surfaced online. A user on X (formerly Twitter) posted images showing a man holding two iPhones, one of which is encased in a black cover and is believed to be the iPhone 17 Pro.

I just spotted a test development iPhone in the wild 🤩🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/iS3PtKWqxJ

— Fox Pupy 🦊🧡 (@Skyfops) July 28, 2025

Although the original poster doesn’t have a history of leaking Apple products, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reshared the post, commenting, “This looks legit.” And there are some solid reasons to consider this might indeed be Apple’s next flagship.

Wow. This looks legit. https://t.co/aLh0C4wbOa

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) July 28, 2025

The supposed iPhone 17 Pro features a broad, horizontal camera bar across the rear, a design detail that has appeared in multiple previous leaks. Based on reports, the left side of the bar could hold the triple camera lenses, while the right side may include a vertically arranged LED flash, LiDAR sensor and rear microphone.

The black case around the device also has cutouts that align with this layout, further supporting the rumour.

Adding to the intrigue, MacRumors observed that the second phone in the man’s hand resembles an iPhone 16 Pro with a sticker on the back. That sticker likely conceals a data matrix code Apple uses to track internal development units. If accurate, this suggests the person could be an Apple employee field-testing unreleased hardware.

However, since the original source isn’t a known Apple leaker, this sighting should be treated with caution.

New iPhone 17 Pro Camera Features Rumoured

Just a day before this spotting, three new iPhone 17 Pro camera features surfaced via an anonymous tip to MacRumors. The source, who claims to work at a video production company with Apple as a client, says the information is based on an upcoming promotional video for the iPhone 17 Pro.

According to the leak, the iPhone 17 Pro may feature –

• A new, first-party Pro camera app developed by Apple
• A second Camera Control button is located on the top edge
• An upgraded telephoto lens offering 8x optical zoom, up from 5x

While the credibility of the source is unclear, the information aligns with Apple’s rumoured focus on professional camera features this year.

iPhone Pro Gearing To Be More ‘Pro’ Than Ever Before?

Traditionally, Apple’s ‘Pro’ branding was more to indicate “premium,” “more expensive,” or simply “better than non-Pro.” It wasn’t really “for professionals” as many people generally assume. This seems to be changing now.

The iPhone 17 Pro could lean even more heavily into its professional-grade identity this year. Previous reports have already hinted at multi-camera video recording as an exclusive feature. Other upgrades reportedly include a larger battery, at least on the Pro Max model, enhanced thermal management and potentially an anti-reflective display.

These upgrades will likely appeal to power users and content creators. On the other hand, they might not resonate with every user.

Apple’s rumoured iPhone 17 Air might hit a sweet spot for many. It’s expected to bring some Pro-level hardware like the A19 Pro chip and 12GB RAM, all packed into a sleek, ultra-thin new design that feels fresh and forward-looking.

FAQ

Q1. What new camera design is rumoured for the iPhone 17 Pro?

Answer. The iPhone 17 Pro is expected to feature a broad, horizontal camera bar across the rear, with triple lenses on the left and a vertically arranged LED flash, LiDAR sensor, and rear microphone on the right.

Q2. What professional camera features might the iPhone 17 Pro include?

Answer. Rumours suggest the iPhone 17 Pro may offer 8× optical zoom, a second physical camera control button on the top edge, and a new first-party Pro camera app developed by Apple.

Q3. What other upgrades are expected in the iPhone 17 Pro?

Answer. The device may include multi-camera video recording, a larger battery (especially in the Pro Max), improved thermal management, and an anti-reflective display, targeting content creators and power users.

Also Read: iPhone 17 Pro could arrive in bold new Orange and Blue colours: Leaks reveal

Also Read: Apple iPhone 17 Pro leak hints at major camera overhaul and Pro-level video features