Apple is quietly testing its next-generation iPhone 17 Pro in public, disguised under a thick black case designed to conceal the phone’s distinctive new camera bar. Photos posted on social media by an X (formerly Twitter) user known as @Skyfops show a pre-production iPhone 17 Pro being held by an individual accompanied by a security guard attempting to block photography.
I just spotted a test development iPhone in the wild 🤩🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/iS3PtKWqxJ
— Fox Pupy 🦊🧡 (@Skyfops) July 28, 2025
Despite the heavy case covering the rear, key details such as the cutouts for the flash and LiDAR sensor reveal the device’s identity as the new iPhone 17 Pro model. The bulky case notably obscures the camera bar, which is expected to be a major design change from previous iPhones with a wide horizontal camera housing replacing the traditional squared bump.
The camouflaged sighting comes amid reports that Apple plans to unveil the iPhone 17 series in early September, possibly the week of September 8th, though dates like Monday the 8th and Friday the 12th are thought unlikely by some analysts. The iPhone 17 Pro is rumored to adopt a new design language featuring an aluminum frame replacing the titanium used in recent pro models, alongside a dual-material back that is part glass and part aluminum to support wireless charging.
Additional expected upgrades include a 48MP telephoto lens (up from 12MP), a 24MP front camera for improved selfies, a slightly thicker body to accommodate a larger battery with reverse wireless charging, and a scratch-resistant, anti-reflective display. The camera layout keeps three lenses arranged in a triangular configuration but housed in a larger rectangular bar.
This covert real-world testing method of hiding pre-production iPhones in thick cases is familiar territory for Apple, which has used similar tactics in the past to prevent leaks and maintain secrecy ahead of product launches. However, in this instance, the disguise was not enough to prevent photos from going viral online.
As excitement builds for the iPhone 17 launch, these glimpses provide one of the earliest real-world looks at the device’s significant design evolution and are a strong signal that Apple is gearing up to introduce notable changes with its 2025 flagship.