iPhone 17 Pro to Skip Two-Tone Design, Will Feature Subtle But Meaningful Changes

As we inch closer to the expected September launch of the iPhone 17 lineup, more details are surfacing—and the latest insight comes straight from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. In his April 6 newsletter, Gurman confirmed that the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro will not adopt the two-toned back design seen in some online renders. Instead, it will stick to a more refined and uniform aesthetic, with the camera area matching the rest of the device’s color.

While the Pro model isn’t getting a radical overhaul, Gurman says the iPhone 17 lineup as a whole represents “the biggest design changes since the milestone 2020 generation,” which introduced flat edges and 5G. That’s big news, especially as Apple has taken a steady, evolutionary approach over the past few years.

A Familiar Front, A Fresh Rear

The front of the iPhone 17 Pro is expected to closely resemble that of the iPhone 16 Pro, but things get more interesting on the back. The new camera layout is said to be more prominent, possibly stretching further across the phone’s upper portion. This design is reminiscent of the triple-lens setup Apple introduced back in 2019 with the iPhone 11 Pro, but it’s expected to come with an updated visual twist.

Some early renders and leaks had suggested a bold two-tone finish, with a darker camera module contrasting against a lighter body color. Gurman, however, shut that down:

“The iPhone 17 Pro won’t have a two-toned back, I’m told. The camera area will be the same color as the rest of the device.”

That aligns with Apple’s more restrained design language, especially for the Pro models, which usually lean toward clean, cohesive finishes.

A Year of Steady Progress

Though the changes might not be as eye-catching as the rumored iPhone 17 Air—an ultra-thin model expected to be a standout in the lineup—the Pro version is still getting noteworthy refinements. This follows a steady design evolution:

• iPhone 12 introduced flat edges and 5G

• iPhone 15 Pro brought titanium and shaved off a little weight

• iPhone 16 Pro added a new Camera Control button

Gurman made it clear: “The iPhone 17 Pro isn’t a major departure from current models.”

Still, this year sets the stage for bigger things ahead. Gurman hinted that Apple is preparing a major iPhone shake-up for its 20th anniversary, which could include a foldable iPhone and a dramatically redesigned Pro model with more glass.

What to Expect in September

Apple typically unveils its new iPhones in early September, and this year should be no different. With talk of thinner designs, camera improvements, and gradual refinements to the Pro models, the iPhone 17 series is shaping up to be Apple’s most exciting lineup in years—even if it’s not quite the revolution that might come in 2026.

We’ll be keeping an eye on more leaks and details in the months ahead. Until then, iPhone fans can look forward to a cleaner, sleeker Pro model that sticks to Apple’s signature style.