In a surprising twist, weeks before Apple officially unveils its much-anticipated iPhone 17 lineup, Chinese manufacturers have already started selling knockoff versions of the iPhone 17 Pro.
This move has stirred up a lot of chatter and frustration within the global tech community.
Sneak Peek at the Fake iPhone 17 Pro
Well-known tech insider Sonny Dickson shared some eye-catching photos on his social media (X) showing these counterfeit devices.
While they’re not exact replicas, the fakes have features that echo early leaks about the real iPhone 17 Pro — like a triple camera setup arranged horizontally, along with a LiDAR sensor and a flash positioned on the right side.
Dickson described the device as “insane,” though he pointed out it runs on a mysterious Android system that’s been heavily skinned to imitate Apple’s iOS 18 interface.
So, it looks the part but isn’t really Apple inside.
How the Tech Media Reacted
Tech news site 9to5Mac called these counterfeit phones “a head above all” other fake gadgets, mainly because they hit the shelves about a whole month before Apple’s official announcement.
Journalists expressed surprise at the speed with which Chinese engineers have managed to replicate these not-yet-released designs.
Of course, they reminded everyone that the real iPhone 17 will come loaded with iOS 26 and won’t be available for purchase until at least mid-September.
What This Means for Smartphone Trends
On a related note, Android Authority recently predicted that by 2026, flagship smartphones from big players like Apple and Samsung will start at 256 GB of storage, making 128 GB models a thing of the past.
So, the tech world continues to push forward even as these knockoffs stir up conversations.