The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models sold in the U.S. have an antenna window on the top edge to support mmWave 5G signals. The standard iPhone 17 lacks this antenna window, and the iPhone Air does not support mmWave 5G, so it also does not feature the antenna window.
Joe Rossignol for MacRumors:
All of the iPhone 12 through iPhone 15 models are outfitted with this antenna window, made of glass. However, it was not present on any of the iPhone 16 models, which were the first devices to feature the Camera Control button on the bottom-right edge, where the mmWave 5G antenna window was previously located.
iPhone 17 Pro models have a new design with an aluminum unibody, but radio signals cannot pass through metal. The reintroduced antenna window, which likely remains made of glass or perhaps a tougher Ceramic Shield material, allows for mmWave 5G signals to better pass through the frame of the devices for cellular connectivity.
MacDailyNews Take: U.S. iPhone buyers in sports stadiums, airports, and major city business districts, rejoice! For everyone else, enjoy how the antennae window adds visual interest to the iPhone Pro models’ top edge.
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This is an excellent summary of the technical and design changes for the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models. The information highlights a key detail often overlooked: how internal component needs influence a device’s external design.