Apple aping Pixel’s design for the iPhone 17 would be a real low

I carried out a basic comical double-take at this week’s leak of the iPhone 17 redesign. “Absolutely this may’t be actual?” I believed. Can Apple actually sink so low as to repeat Google’s stonkingly handsome Pixel 9 series?

Fan renders based mostly on the chassis counsel the brand new look gained’t essentially clone the Pixel 9 totally; it’d nonetheless have the distinctive raised lenses we’re acquainted with from latest iPhone designs fairly than a shaded bar. Nonetheless, the horizontal digicam setup and stacked flash are undeniably Pixel. Even when Apple isn’t intentionally copying the look (designs are deliberate years upfront, in any case), Google’s aesthetic has been well-established because the Pixel 6, so the accusations will simply stick — at the least in tech-savvy circles.

Copycatting is nothing new, in fact. What number of Android manufacturers rushed to comply with Apple with a notch design regardless of it being hideous and arguably worse than a slim bezel? To not point out the historical past of Chinese language OEM skins flagrantly pinching from iOS. We’re used to the shoe being on the opposite foot (at the least aesthetically), however even the pretense that the iPhone would copy from an Android model — nonetheless usually unfairly thought-about the funds different — would absolutely shatter any remaining phantasm that Apple stays the premium innovator.

From the early iPod to modern-day Macbooks, Apple has staked its repute on distinctive industrial design. The truth that it’s an Apple product by appears alone is a part of its trendy enchantment, permitting the iPhone to command premium-tier pricing regardless of not essentially being probably the most spec-packed or finest value-for-money product available on the market. We’d not prefer it, however it’s simply the opposite facet of the blue vs green bubble coin that forestalls some from wanting over Apple’s fence.

On this sense, copycatting could be a far larger fake pas for the iPhone than most different smartphone manufacturers. Whereas Apple should revamp its growing older design in some unspecified time in the future, and there are solely so many digicam placements to go round, it may need a more durable job convincing clients to pay via the nostril for a telephone that might too simply be confused for a green-bubble-touting Pixel. Simply, eww, proper?

Or maybe not. Apple’s model energy is such that fashionable tradition would possibly even credit score the following iPhone with popularizing the digicam bar. Regardless of latest successes, Google’s Pixel remains to be a fairly area of interest product, in any case. If anybody can pull off that stage of shopper gaslighting, it’s Apple. Keep in mind that notch I talked about? Android did that first, too, technically, however few keep in mind or care.

Nonetheless, a probably controversial redesign couldn’t come at a worse time for Apple, which has absolutely been shedding its luster to these prepared to have a look at the large image. It actually doesn’t put on the pictures crown anymore, and the sluggish drip of beta-state Apple Intelligence features solely highlights how complacent and behind the curve the model’s software program improvement has turn out to be. iOS 19 isn’t shaping up any better, both. Moreover, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite has additionally snagged the performance trophy from its grasp.

In lieu of a swanky design, what latest accolades can the iPhone actually maintain as much as justify its declare to the apex of smartphone know-how? Regardless of acquainted seal-clapping for the iPhone 16, the collection appears in a hunch to me. Whereas which may sound like bitter grapes from an Android fan, Apple’s stake within the sought-after Chinese language market (which is much less loyal than the US) already appears beneath risk from native producers, akin to a resurgent HUAWEI. Even Apple must land occasional wins to face out, and accusations of borrowing its newest design actually wouldn’t assist that trigger.

Anyway, I’m not suggesting that Apple’s supposed iPhone 17 redesign shall be a catastrophe of any form. A change in appears is at all times controversial, however the titans of tech have weathered earlier storms nicely sufficient. Not forgetting that Apple appears impervious to criticisms of iPhone aping Android, so a design that’s acquainted to the Google devoted is unlikely to wreck its mainstream US enchantment. Nonetheless, for an organization seemingly at sea for actually progressive concepts, a redesign that appears eerily like your fastest-rising US competitor is certain to boost eyebrows from critics and followers alike. It’s simply not look.