iPhone 17 Pro Prototype Allegedly Spotted in Public With Horizontal Camera Bar

iPhone 17 Pro Prototype Allegedly Spotted in Public With Horizontal Camera Bar

The internet is buzzing after new photos surfaced on X showing what appears to be an iPhone 17 Pro prototype being tested in public. The images, posted by user @Skyfops, offer what could be our first real-world glimpse at Apple’s next-gen flagship, though it’s heavily disguised in a thick black case.

What the Photos Show

  • A tester holding an iPhone in a development case designed to hide most of its details.

  • The rear camera array is partially visible, and it seems to confirm the long-rumored horizontal camera bar stretching across the back of the phone.

  • According to @Skyfops, the tester was accompanied by a security guard trying to block onlookers—a strong hint this was something important.

The leaker wrote that the pair was “super obvious walking around with a black brick and a security guard,” which is classic Apple prototype behavior.

Why It Matters

The horizontal camera bar has been one of the most consistent rumors for the iPhone 17 Pro, showing up in:

  • CAD renders

  • Dummy models

  • Third-party case leaks

If these photos are legit, it’s yet another confirmation of a major design shift.

Other iPhone 17 Pro Rumors

  • Aluminum frame replacing titanium for a thinner, lighter body

  • Advanced vapor chamber cooling for the powerful A19 Pro chip

  • Possible 8x optical zoom telephoto lens and new Pro camera app

  • Bold new color options, including copper-like finishes

When Will We Know for Sure?

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup this fall, with the Pro models likely stealing the spotlight thanks to these hardware changes and rumored camera upgrades.

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