Several third-party case manufacturers are banking on leaked iPhone 17 designs, with companies like Spigen, Dbrand, Nudient, and Pitaka all showcasing nearly identical case cutouts several days before Apple's "Awe dropping" iPhone event.
MacRumors readers have contacted us about the cases, many of which prominently feature space for the rumored camera bar redesign for the iPhone 17 Pro models. The cases clearly show cutouts for the expected horizontal camera array stretching across the device's back, with dummy units showing three 48MP lenses positioned on the left side and flash/LiDAR components on the right.
Elsewhere, case makers are confidently divulging sizing details through Amazon listings, suggesting both the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro will sport 6.3-inch displays. Meanwhile, Pitaka has quietly added iPhone 17 series pages to its website, all reflecting the same basic design language.
That includes the all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air – replacing the Plus model – which appears slimmer and has a single rear camera mounted on a runway-style bar.
What makes case makers so sure of their designs? The industry has a well-established supply chain intelligence network. Case manufacturers typically receive specifications from factory sources or Apple's accessory partners months in advance, but rarely from Apple directly (unless they are close case brand partners who hold their cases back until Apple's big reveal). The process often allows them to begin production runs before Apple's official announcements, thereby avoiding the costly scramble that would otherwise follow iPhone launches.
Unless Apple has somehow hoodwinked the entire case maker industry, given the remarkable consistency across multiple manufacturers, these leaked designs almost certainly represent Apple's final specifications. Whether they actually represent an improvement in terms of user experience remains to be seen.
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014.
This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models.
"All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching.
In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.
In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
In his Powe...
It would deeply amuse me if Apple COMPLETELY snowed all these manufacturers and released completely different designs when the phones themselves launch.
Am I the only one who doesn’t mind a new iPhone without a case? At least for a week, that way your hands can get a feel for the new design.
Also, not all cases are created equally. Ensuring compatibility with charging devices should not be overlooked.
Plus, usually once the case goes on, it’ll likely never come off until a new case is desired.
Although you can’t blame those who feel they need a case first. With Apple’s notorious affinity for breaking quite easily and an expensive price tag it makes sense ?♂️ as for me my favorite cases are the silicone ones or an otter box/pelican case.
I never use cases and have zero plans of ever getting one. Apple spends billions on design and engineering why on earth would I cover that with some garbage plastic
It would deeply amuse me if Apple COMPLETELY snowed all these manufacturers and released completely different designs when the phones themselves launch.
While amusing. That would a massive amount of waste that would likely end up in landfill.
I don't like the idea of the waste, but if you are mass producing items on what you THINK something is going to be without official word from the product manufacturer, that's on you. It's not giving them bad measurements and then producing something else.
