How badly do you want an iPhone 17 Pro? While many of you could be considering an upgrade by trading in your existing device and borrowing the rest of the amount from your savings, the unlucky many are considering alternate options that cost less than a fraction of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. In fact, there are several stores that can make your old iPhone look exactly like a brand new iPhone 17 Pro! Consider the following example, where a man converted the design of his iPhone 12 to that of an iPhone 17 Pro.
The viral video showcasing the transformation of an old iPhone 12 Pro Max into a convincing replica of the newly launched iPhone 17 Pro Max has both captivated and divided Apple enthusiasts online. Right from the new camera plateau to the bright orange colourway on the Pro Max, the vendor managed to ape almost all of the core design elements. The result: an iPhone 12 Pro Max that you’d be mistaken for assuming it is an iPhone 17 Pro!
iPhone 12 Pro Max converted into iPhone 17 Pro Max: Watch video
The video, which has been making rounds on social media, features mobile phone vendors meticulously modifying older iPhone 12 models. These vendors utilise fiber-body kits and new metal frames designed to mimic the aesthetic of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, including its sleek aluminium finish and the distinctively redesigned camera bump.
The end result is a device that, at least from the outside, is nearly indistinguishable from the genuine article. This trend has gained significant traction, especially among budget-conscious Apple fans and street vendors in India as well as other Southeast Asian countries.
The footage includes side-by-side comparisons of the modified phones and the real iPhone 17 Pro Max. The visual demonstration has left many netizens genuinely shocked by the striking similarity. However, a look at the comments section reveals a mix of awe and skepticism.
Looks like iPhone 17 Pro but not as fast
Critics argue that the transformation is merely superficial and pointless without the internal upgrades that define the new model. “Earlier at least it looked like an iPhone; now it just looks like a cheap copy of the iPhone 17 Pro Max,” one user commented.
Another pointed out the obvious, stating, “Vendors can’t really turn an iPhone 12 into a 17 Pro Max; they’re just swapping the body or tweaking the software. Inside, it’s still an iPhone 12.” Another questioned the entire premise, suggesting the videos are nothing more than content creation for social media engagement.
Despite the criticism, the video highlights the importance of the newest iPhone’s presence in the market. Even though these modified iPhone kits may not be as nice to use as the real deal, it does show how keen people are to be seen with a clone of the newest iPhone 17 Pro. The design, hence, works and imitation is the nicest form of flattery.