Is it true that cameras would be placed horizontally, in an arrangement not seen on an Apple device since the iPhone 8?

Forbes has reported on the details of a recent leak, which originates from Digital Chat Station, a Weibo user known for reliably accurate information. According to the report, the camera setup on one or more iPhone 17 models will differ from the current lineup. Instead of the square-with-rounded-corners configuration of three lenses on the Pro models, or the vertical camera arrangement on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, we may see a horizontal row of cameras.

As Paul points out, this design would resemble that of the Google Pixel series. One benefit of such a setup is that when the phone is placed on a table and tapped, it won’t wobble. However, this new design raises some concerns.

Firstly, Apple introduced a new camera design with the iPhone 16, shifting from a diagonal to a vertical camera arrangement. Apple rarely changes its design after just one year—exceptions have been rare, with the original iPhone being a notable one. It would be surprising if the iPhone 17 saw a major design shift from the 16, aside from color changes.

Secondly, the iPhone 16’s camera redesign allowed for spatial video recording in landscape orientation for the first time. It seems unlikely that Apple would abandon this feature so quickly, though it’s possible to overcome the issue with software or lens adjustments, such as cropping the image differently.

While the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max received subtle redesigns this year, a more significant update may be expected in 2025. Nevertheless, the idea of a horizontal camera arrangement feels unlikely. If, as the report suggests, multiple iPhone models are set to adopt this design in 2025, Apple may prefer to stand out from the crowd.

Given the leaker s reliable track record, this possibility warrants attention, but it’s wise to wait for additional reports to confirm these details. Stay tuned.