According to Apple graphics renderer Ian Zelbo, the iPhone 14 Pro could have significantly rounder corners to match the larger rear camera array.
Zelbo, known for creating renders based on leaked information for upcoming Apple devices including the Mac Studio, Studio Display, rumored Mixed Reality headset, and more, thinks the iPhone 14 Pro models could have corners with a wider radius. By cross-reference CAD renderings and dimensions, schematics, images of production molds for accessories, and other information, it’s clear that the iPhone 14 Pro is repeatedly depicted with a larger corner radius compared to the iPhone 13 Pro for a more rounded front and rear look. On the other hand, the iPhone 14 Pro Max seems to have almost the same radius as the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Apple may be forced to change the corner radius of the iPhone 14 Pro due to changes to the rear camera array. The iPhone 14 Pro models are expected to feature a larger rear camera array to facilitate a new 48MP camera system and a 57 percent larger sensor.
Zoomed renderings of the rear of the iPhone 13 Pro (right) and iPhone 14 Pro (left), with ostensibly accurate dimensions by Ian Zelbo.
The rear camera arrays of the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max roughly match the corner radius of each device’s frame, but when Apple increased the size of the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max’s camera arrays, neither device matched its Corner. While the differences between the camera arrays of the iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max are small, the differences between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro are significant.
It seems plausible that with the size increase again this year, the inconsistency between the curves of the camera platform, the lens, and the corners of the stainless steel frame itself became too severe on the iPhone 14 Pro, causing Apple to revise the design. According to Zelbo, the new larger corner radius still doesn’t quite match the rounded corners of the rear camera array platform, but it’s significantly closer.
Scaled renderings of the fronts of the iPhone 13 Pro (left) and iPhone 14 Pro (right), with ostensibly accurate dimensions provided by Ian Zelbo.
The redesigned display on the iPhone 14 Pro may also have contributed to the change. A centered pill- and hole-punch-shaped front-facing TrueDepth camera array in place of the notch is expected to be one of the device’s major upgrades, and it’s rumored to have 20 percent thinner bezels around the display. It was necessary to redesign the display to implement these changes, so changing the corner radius at the same time was feasible.
Similar information related to the iPhone 14 shows that the device does not share the new corner radius, which could suggest that a more rounded design will be another differentiating factor between the standard and “Pro” iPhone lineup.
Zelbo is working on detailed renders of the iPhone 14 Pro based on numerous sources to provide a seemingly accurate look at what Apple’s next-generation Pro iPhone will look like when it launches later this year.Rendering to debut on Jon Prosser front page technology soon.
