We have already heard rumors that Apple will introduce a redesigned slimmer model to replace the iPhone 17 Plus. However, there is going to be a slightly controversial design change to this phone.

YouTuber Apple Track posted a rendering of an iPhone 17 Air with a central camera module, based on a rumor that first hit the Internet in May According to The Information, Apple will move the camera to the “top center” of the iPhone to the “top center” of the iPhone.

The iPhone 17 Air is likely to be a fairly significant change for the iPhone lineup, offering a phone that emphasizes design sleekness rather than necessarily focusing on hardware performance. Given that the internal arrangement may need to be changed to accommodate that design change, it makes sense that the rear camera may have to be moved. We just hope it will look better than this.

The Apple Track rendering is simply the existing camera module on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus rotated 90 degrees and shifted about an inch to the left. Certainly, it is not a good idea to position the camera flash directly below the lens. Previous rumors predicted that the iPhone 17 Air would have only one rear camera.

Furthermore, Apple has already repositioned the lens on the iPhone 16 to allow it to record spatial video, so this particular arrangement would be wildly impractical. This is because the camera's lens would have to be in the same vertical arrangement as on the iPhone 16 to be able to shoot spatial video horizontally.

I am not opposed to Apple moving the camera placement on the iPhone 17 Air or any other future iPhone. It is not uncommon for cameras to be centered, and many models, including some like the Pixel 9 Pro, have used this design to look good and practical over the years. Of course, there are many that don't, and there is no shortage of premium smartphones with huge central cameras that look ugly. This is especially true of the major Chinese brands.

Thankfully, the Apple Track renderings are merely placeholder images and do not reflect the final iPhone 17 Slim design. I believe Apple will make this particular change, assuming it actually happens, look much better than this. Otherwise, the iPhone 17 Air/Slim's debut could easily become a meme.

While the iPhone 17 Air is not expected to arrive until next fall, we have heard plenty of rumors about how this phone will change. You can check out the iPhone 17 Slim hub for the latest news and rumors.