Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro lineup arrives with a fresh look, headlined by a stretched camera island that spans the upper back of the phone. The moment the redesign surfaced, rivals wasted no time weighing in. Poco took a playful swipe, pointing out that its own devices have worn a similar camera bar for years.
The brand spotlighted the Poco F6 Pro as an example. That model, itself a rebrand of the Redmi K70 Pro from 2023, features a wide, bar-style camera island that echoes the new iPhone’s silhouette. Of course, the idea isn’t exclusive to one company. The OnePlus 8T Cyberpunk 2077 Edition from 2020 also sported a dramatic, stretched camera element across the rear, underscoring how this design language has been circulating in the Android world for some time.
Poco isn’t the first to rib Apple over the change either. Earlier in 2025, before launch and while the iPhone redesign was still circulating as a rumor, Google released a tongue-in-cheek video implying that Apple might be taking cues from the Pixel’s signature camera bar. Still, there are clear differences in execution: Apple’s approach looks distinct from the Pixel’s raised visor, even if the shared “bar” concept invites comparisons.
Importantly, the camera “plateau” isn’t the only visual shift on the iPhone 17 Pro series. Apple has paired the new rear layout with an aluminum unibody frame and Ceramic Shield glass, signaling a broader aesthetic and materials refresh beyond the camera housing. The combination aims to deliver a cleaner top edge, a bolder rear identity, and durability improvements.
Why the camera bar keeps coming back is no mystery. As smartphone photography continues to drive purchasing decisions, brands are using the camera module not only as a hardware statement but also as a design signature. A stretched island helps distribute sensors and lenses, can aid in thermal and spatial layout, and gives devices an instantly recognizable silhouette. Whether you prefer Apple’s restrained take or the more pronounced styles seen on various Android models, the trend highlights how central imaging has become to modern phone identity.
In the end, the back-and-forth jabs are part of the fun in a hyper-competitive market. Apple’s shift to a bar-like island puts the iPhone 17 Pro squarely into a design conversation that has been evolving for years. And while rivals may claim they did it first, Apple’s iteration brings its own aesthetic and material choices to the table, ensuring the debate over who wears the camera bar best will keep enthusiasts talking.
