iPhone 17 Pro Redesign: Why This Glass Cutout Could Change Repairs
Apple is gearing up for what looks like the most exciting iPhone redesign since the iPhone 12. The iPhone 17 Pro isn’t here yet, but the rumors and leaks suggest Apple is making some big changes that could shake up how these phones are repaired.
Before you get too excited, no, this sketch isn’t the real iPhone 17 Pro. My drawing skills aren’t going to win any design awards, but it gives you the idea: a mostly aluminum body with a small glass window cut into it.
The Good: Easier and Cheaper Repairs
Let’s start with the upside. If Apple really goes with this new glass window design, it could actually make back glass repairs a lot easier. Right now, if you crack the back of your iPhone, the repair can be expensive because the glass is attached to many components.
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With this cutout design, only the glass window would need replacing, not the whole back. That means repairs could be faster, less expensive, and way less stressful. For repair shops and DIYers, that’s a huge win.
The Bad: Risks from Back Entry
But here’s where things get tricky. Apple recently made a huge improvement when it switched to opening iPhones from the back. This change reduced the risk of accidentally breaking the display while trying to get inside.
If the iPhone 17 Pro’s design relies heavily on aluminum with a small glass cutout, it might complicate that repair process. We could be looking at a situation where the phone is harder to open without causing damage, which is exactly the problem Apple was trying to fix.
Why This Matters
The design may look clean and futuristic, but as someone who’s opened up more iPhones than I can count, I know small design tweaks can make or break repairability. A cheaper glass fix is great, but not if it makes the rest of the repair process riskier.
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Final Thoughts
The iPhone 17 Pro is shaping up to be a major redesign, and this glass window idea could be both a blessing and a curse. Until we get our hands on the real thing, it’s hard to say how this will play out. But one thing’s for sure: Apple never makes it boring for repair techs like me.
If Apple keeps adding windows to iPhones, pretty soon we’ll be checking the weather through the back of our phones.
See you in the next article.
