
The iPhone 17 lineup is still months away, but leaks are already giving us a glimpse of what to expect. And if the latest screen protector leak is anything to go by, the upcoming iPhone 17 Air might feature the front camera on the left side of the Dynamic Island instead of the right—breaking the visual consistency we’ve seen for years.
This isn’t a dramatic change, and it likely won’t impact how you use the phone. But it does suggest Apple had to make some layout changes to fit everything inside the iPhone 17 Air’s ultra-thin frame.
A Subtle Change in Camera Placement
Leaked images of screen protectors, shared by known leaker Majin Bu, show the front camera cutout on the left—but only for the iPhone 17 Air. The other models in the lineup, including the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, stick to the usual right-side camera position.
If you’re thinking this isn’t the first time, you’re right. The iPhone 16e also had its front camera on the left. But that was a budget model. What’s different here is that Apple’s making the same choice for a high-end, ultra-thin design.
Why Apple Likely Moved the Camera
This shift isn’t about aesthetics or user-facing features. It’s most likely about internal space, as the device is just 5.5mm thin. But that might not be the only reason.
Both the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 16e have single rear cameras—and now share this front camera placement as well. That consistency suggests Apple might be exploring a new design language for certain models, rather than simply reacting to hardware constraints.
Some speculate it’s part of a larger strategy. Apple could be using the iPhone 17 Air to test a left-aligned camera layout—possibly paving the way for a redesigned Dynamic Island or even a single-hole camera cutout in future models.
Will This Change Anything for You?
Probably not. Whether the camera sits on the left or right isn’t something most people will notice. While some suggest it might improve video calls or selfies, that’s unlikely. The shift doesn’t change much in terms of real-world usage.
Wrap-Up: A Tiny Cutout With Big Implications
At the end of the day, it’s a tiny shift. Apple moved the front camera on the iPhone 17 Air to the left—likely because it had to. But this small decision could influence future iPhone design choices.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 lineup in September. Until then, all we have are leaks, educated guesses, and a screen protector cutout that quietly hints at what’s to come.
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