Will My iPhone 16 Pro Case Fit the New iPhone 17 Pro?
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Apple’s new iPhone 17 Pro hits shelves this Friday, September 19, and as you might imagine, both Apple and third-party manufacturers are offering new cases and accessories for use with the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, as well as the new iPhone 17 and iPhone Air.
But what if you have a case on your current iPhone 16 Pro that you really like? Do you really need to purchase a new one? Can’t you just use your old case to protect your new precious? While it’s probably apparent just by looking at the new camera bump, the TL;DR answer is no. Here’s why.
While many of the changes from the iPhone 16 Pro to the iPhone 17 Pro are minor, there are enough changes in the device’s camera setup alone to require the need for a new case. However, cutting a larger hole in your case won’t likely work either.
The design changes are as follows. Not all of these will affect the size or shape of a case, but I thought I’d go ahead and cover all of the features to help you decide whether you’ll spring for a new iPhone 17 Pro:
- The Body Design: The new iPhone 17 Pro boasts a new seamless design with thinner bezels. The iPhone 16 Pro used the same flat-edged design that was carried over from previous generations. This means that even the overall shape of the new iPhone isn’t the same as its predecessor.
- The Frame: While the iPhone 16 Pro used a titanium frame, the iPhone 17 Pro’s frame is made from aluminum.
- Rear Camera Design: The iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro both use the familiar three-lens design for their rear-facing cameras. The iPhone 16 Pro’s camera was housed in a familiar square bump. The iPhone 17 Pro’s camera bump stretches nearly across the entire width of the new handset.
- Other Camera Features: The iPhone 17 Pro has a camera setup that includes a new telephoto lens with a 48 MP sensor, compared to the 12 MP periscope zoom that was available on the 16 Pro. The new camera on the iPhone 17 Pro also has a native optical zoom of 3.5x. The front camera also received an upgrade, featuring a new 18MP center-stage selfie camera. It features a square sensor, enabling users to capture both vertical and horizontal photos from the same position, eliminating the need to rotate their iPhone horizontally to include large groups in selfies.
- The Display: The display of the iPhone 17 Pro remains unchanged from the iPhone 16 Pro, with both handsets boasting the same ProMotion 120Hz OLED display, although Apple says the iPhone 17 Pro’s display is both more durable and power efficient. The display size has remained unchanged, using a 6.3-inch display with a 1,206 X 2,622 pixels resolution.
- The Apple Silicon Chip: The iPhone 16 Pro used Apple’s A18 Pro Apple Silicon System on a chip, while the iPhone 17 Pro has a more powerful and efficient A19 Pro chip. Meanwhile, the older handset made do with 8 GB RAM, while the new model boasts 12 GB RAM, allowing for better performance, especially for on-device processing of Apple Intelligence features.
- Cooling System: The iPhone 17 Pro boasts a new vapor chamber cooling system. The thin metal enclosure is filled with deionized water and is laser-welded into the iPhone Pro’s aluminum chassis, providing improved cooling.
As I said above, not all of these new features would be incompatible with your iPhone 16 Pro case. However, a few do strongly contribute to the need for a new case for your iPhone 17 Pro.
The new back-facing camera setup alone is enough reason to justify the need for a new case (unless you’re REALLY handy with an X-ACTO knife). The new camera bump extends nearly the entire width of the handset, while the iPhone 16 Pro had the familiar square housing used in previous Pro models.
The new iPhone 17 Pro also sports a new seamless design with thinner bezels and measures in at 150.0 x 71.9 x 8.75 mm, versus 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.25 mm for the iPhone 16 Pro. This means the fit may be a bit off.
New iPhone 17 Pro Cases
Happily, Apple and third-party suppliers are offering several new case options.
Apple options
- The TechWoven Case: This case uses a new technical woven fabric using multiple colored yarns, with a protective coating that provides resistance to scratches and stains. TechWoven cases will be available in five colors: black, blue, purple, sienna, and green.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case with MagSafe: Uses a blend of clear polycarbonate and flexible materials with scratch-resistant coating on both the interior and exterior.
- The Silicone Case with MagSafe: This case will be available in six colors: orange, terra cotta, neon yellow, purple fog, midnight, and black.
Third-party options
One of my favorite high-end iPhone case suppliers is Burton Goods. The owner of the company, Brian Holmes, previously headed Pad & Quill, which for years offered fine cases for everything from AirPods to MacBooks, and everything in between. (While I love these cases, I do not receive a commission)
The Modern Pocket Book Wallet Case For iPhone 17 Pro is made of thick, full-grain leather and acts as a two-in-one iPhone case and wallet. The case features French-hemmed seams, is MagSafe compatible, and includes a magnetic tab to keep the phone and wallet closed. Ports and cameras are fully accessible. ($89 USD)
The Heritage Leather Case For iPhone 17 Pro is also made of full-grain leather, offers full edge protection, is MagSafe compatible, and has a soft microfiber interior. Ports and cameras are fully accessible. ($89 USD)
Of course, if you’re on a tight budget after springing for your new iPhone 17 Pro, there are numerous options available on eBay, Amazon, and even Five Below, so take the time to look around before making a decision. We’re also continuing to receive new samples and other information from popular case makers, including Zagg, Otterbox, Spigen, Casetify, Smartish, Rhinoshield, and more. Stay tuned for a more comprehensive roundup once the dust settles.
