Could Apple be bringing back a deep, “pitch black” finish for the iPhone 17 Pro? Recent leaks suggest it’s a strong possibility, offering a glimpse at what the upcoming flagship and the rumored new iPhone 17 Air could look like in a sleek, dark hue.
Serial leaker Majin Bu has shared images purportedly showing dummy units of the iPhone 17 Pro and the potential iPhone 17 Air. Clad in black, these dummy models look undeniably elegant, particularly with the envisioned black glass on the distinct, super-wide camera bump set against a matte black surface. The aesthetic is so refined, one might imagine it as the smartphone of choice for a fictional, sophisticated spy.
Beyond the Black: What the Leaks Tell Us
While the return of a truly black color is exciting for many, it’s crucial to remember that these are dummy units, likely based on circulating rumors and not official Apple hardware. Majin Bu himself has previously shared images of different dummy models, like a white iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Furthermore, the color options for the iPhone 17 Pro seem to be a subject of ongoing speculation. Earlier reports, also attributed to Majin Bu citing supply chain sources, suggested that a new “Sky Blue” could be among the four planned colors for the Pro model, potentially replacing an existing finish like Natural or White Titanium. Other leaks have hinted at various blue or green titanium shades, indicating Apple might be testing several options. The final color palette remains uncertain until Apple’s official announcement.
However, the black color leak arrives amidst a wave of other rumors about the entire iPhone 17 series, expected to launch in September 2025. These leaks paint a picture of significant upgrades across the board:
Introducing the iPhone 17 Air
Reports strongly suggest Apple plans to introduce a new iPhone 17 Air, potentially replacing the current ‘Plus’ model. The 17 Air is rumored to focus on being incredibly thin and light, possibly making it the slimmest iPhone ever released. It’s expected to feature a 6.6-inch display.
Design Tweaks
The design of the Pro models, including the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, is also tipped for a refresh, particularly the rear camera layout. Leaked concepts, like the ones featuring the black finish, show a wider, more prominent camera module. The standard iPhone 17 is expected to stick closer to the current iPhone 16 design.
Display Upgrades
One of the most talked-about rumored upgrades concerns the display. While Pro models are expected to retain the advanced 120Hz ProMotion (1-120Hz LTPO) displays, leaks suggest the standard iPhone 17 and the new 17 Air could finally get a refresh rate bump to a fixed 90Hz. This would be a significant upgrade from the current 60Hz on base models, promising smoother scrolling and visuals, though short of the variable 120Hz experience.
Performance & Chipset
As is tradition, performance is set to improve. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature the brand new A19 Pro chipset, which early leaked benchmarks suggest will offer a substantial performance leap, potentially outperforming even top Android competitors. The standard iPhone 17 and 17 Air will likely receive the powerful A18 chip, anticipated to power the iPhone 16 series. Reports conflict slightly, but suggest Pro models could see an increase to 12GB RAM, while other models might feature 8GB.
Camera Enhancements
Major camera improvements are also anticipated for the iPhone 17 series. The front camera across the entire lineup is rumored to be upgraded to 24 megapixels, delivering sharper selfies. On the rear, the iPhone 17 is tipped for a 48MP main camera. The iPhone 17 Pro Max could become the first iPhone to feature 48MP sensors for all three rear lenses (wide, ultrawide, telephoto), with whispers of 8K video recording capability.
Battery, Charging & Cooling
Minor battery size increases are expected. More notably, the series might finally support 35W fast charging, a welcome step up from the current 20W, though still behind some rivals. The Pro Max model is also rumored to include a vapour chamber cooling system to manage heat during intensive tasks.
Analyzing the Leaks: What’s Likely?
While the black dummy leak specifically focuses on a potential color and design aesthetic, the surrounding rumors provide context for the broader iPhone 17 series. It’s common for leakers like Majin Bu to share dummy units based on early production information or design patents. The conflict in color leaks (black dummy vs. Sky Blue rumors) highlights the fluid nature of pre-release information; Apple tests many possibilities before finalizing designs and colors.
The consistent leaks regarding the iPhone 17 Air, chipset split, camera upgrades (especially the 24MP front camera and 48MP for Pro Max ultrawide/telephoto), and potential display refresh rate changes suggest these features are strong possibilities. The 90Hz display on base models seems a credible step to differentiate Pro and non-Pro tiers while still offering an upgrade.
Ultimately, all information remains unofficial until Apple unveils the new iPhones, typically at a highly anticipated event in September. But for those hoping for a return to a deep, elegant black, the latest dummy leaks offer a hopeful glimpse.
