Apple may have gone too far with the iPhone 15 Pro design

It's that time of year, iPhone fans. The (alleged) first CAD renders of the upcoming iPhone 15 Pro have just dropped, which means we could well be seeing our first realistic glimpse of the overall shape of this year's model. And while the new 3D models appear to confirm a few rumours, there's one thing I'm a little alarmed about.

While it's the long awaited switch from Lightning to USB-C that'll hog the headlines, along with the slightly more curved edges, I just can't get over the size of that camera bump. It's positively terrifying. Suddenly the iPhone 14 Pro camera cutout doesn't look so gargantuan.

iPhone 15 render

iPhone 11 Pro (left), iPhone 14 Pro (centre) and the new iPhone 15 Pro render (right) (Image credit: Apple/Ian Zelbo)

The renders by prolific concept artist Ian Zelbo (via 9to5Mac) are allegedly based on CAD files given to case-makers. And many of the design touches from our iPhone 15 rumours round-up are present and correct, including rounded edges, haptic buttons and of course USB-C, which fans have been requesting for around 400 years.

iPhone 15 Pro render

CAD-based renders are often our most accurate first glimpse at a new iPhone (Image credit: 9to5Mac)

Overall, it doesn't look a whole lot different to the iPhone 14 Pro. Except for the camera bump. Of course, a bigger sensor means better pictures. But it sure does feel like those meme mockups depicting an iPhone rear that's all camera could finally become a reality. Do we really want to carry a mini DSLR around in our pockets? 

iPhone design edited to have a comically large camera

Could memes like this soon become a reality? (Image credit: PengPhones on Twitter)

And it seems I'm not the only one with camera worries. "I just want a phone that will lay flat on a table," one Twitter user comments, while another adds, "Somewhere Steve Jobs is shaking his head."

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Things have been moving in this direction for a while – it's been a good few years since an iPhone could actually lie flat on a table. But as someone who prefers a phone that doesn't require three hands to hold (yep, I miss the iPhone mini), I can't help but think that the iPhone 14 didn't take things too far, then this certainly will. Of course, it's a fan-made render – time will tell if this is the real deal. In the meantime, check out today's best iPhone 14 deals below.

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Daniel Piper
Senior News Editor

Daniel Piper is Creative Bloq’s Senior News Editor. As the brand’s Apple authority, he covers all things Mac, iPhone, iPad and the rest. He also reports on the worlds of design, branding and tech. Daniel joined Future in 2020 (an eventful year, to say the least) after working in copywriting and digital marketing with brands including ITV, NBC, Channel 4 and more. Outside of Future, Daniel is a global poetry slam champion and has performed at festivals including Latitude, Bestival and more. He is the author of Arbitrary and Unnecessary: The Selected Works of Daniel Piper (Selected by Daniel Piper).