According to an insider source, Apple is planning a major change for the iPhone 17 Pro by relocating the antennas to the outer edge of the rear camera module. This design takes inspiration from the Apple Watch Ultra, where the strategic placement of antennas significantly improves signal reception and stability.
The goal behind this update is clear. Current iPhones have their antennas along the frame edges, which causes visible breaks in the chassis. By moving them around the camera, an area less prone to interference from the phone’s materials, Apple aims to enhance 5G mmWave and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity. This should ensure top performance in crowded environments like cities and buildings, as well as provide a more reliable connection on the move.

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Anticipated Technical and Visual Advantages
This major redesign promises several concrete improvements:
Enhanced connectivity with better performance in crowded areas and lower latency for streaming and data transfers.
Sleeker design thanks to the removal of visible breaks along the edges, resulting in a cleaner chassis.
More efficient use of internal space, which could benefit battery life and thermal management.
Improved electromagnetic performance with a more even signal distribution that reduces dead zones caused by the user’s hand or internal metal parts, especially in vertical and diagonal directions.
If this watch-inspired architecture makes it to production, the iPhone 17 Pro could set a new standard for integrating wireless technology into a compact design, minimizing the usual trade-offs between performance and aesthetics.