A bevy of iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max renders have flooded the internet, with social media apps also showcasing the back-breaking efforts of these concept creators who invest countless hours into making these embellished images. One would assume that these artists are rightfully compensated for their work, otherwise it just leaves a sour taste in one’s mouth.
However, there are some instances where these individuals are allegedly taken unfair advantage of while also being lied to about receiving their pending dues. One such incident revolves around a leaker who showed off the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max design to his viewers while failing to pay them for making these renders. One artist has started an entire thread on X, calling the person out for failing to meet his financial commitments, all the while continuing to publish content like nothing has ever gone wrong.
Various freelancers have taken to social media and YouTube in an attempt to expose the leaker for failing to pay freelancers for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max renders, along with other tasks
The person who has allegedly avoided paying multiple freelancers is Jon Prosser, who runs the YouTube channel Front Page Tech. He recently revealed the potential design change arriving to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, mentioning that both flagships will have a bar on the backside, though the rear camera cluster’s alignment will remain the same. On X, concept creator Shea, who goes by the handle @concept_central, has posted a long thread discussing Prosser’s five-year history of apparently ghosting and not paying his employees.
He has also posted a video link from Randy Vazquez, who uploaded a clip on YouTube in 2020 talking about how Prosser promised him $1,000 for his work, with months passing by and the freelancer receiving nothing. After a while, Shea summarizes that Randy received $400 out of the $1,000 owed, prompting him to publish a video. This action appeared to have a positive outcome, as Prosser immediately paid off the remaining balance. As for a recent incident, Shea has commented that Prosser’s current concept artist, Asher, has been waiting three months to receive his payment.
After a few weeks, Asher received a third of what was originally paid to him, and after voicing to Prosser that he would be purchasing a new phone, the YouTuber proceeded to buy him a brand new iPhone 16 Pro, which is likely more than the amount owed to the artist. The X thread also states that Prosser has a new render artist in one of his recent videos, and that is because he has already cycled through all the talent that he has worked with in the past. As for the new concept creator, he allegedly did not receive any payment, and all of his efforts were for exposure.
Let's talk about @jon_prosser's 5+ year history of not paying his employees and then ghosting when they ask to be paid
This is a warning to other freelancers and the entire tech community (1/15) 🧵 pic.twitter.com/gmUituvUJ0
— Shea (@concept_central) March 11, 2025
To conclude, Shea states that he is aware of four people, including himself, who have yet to receive payments from Prosser, and the iPhone ‘gifted’ to Asher is not the only occasion where people who are owed money were compensated in this fashion. Shea signs off by saying that not all YouTubers are like this, and he has worked with lots of reliable people who reward such artists. He only cautions individuals lining up to create any business relationship with Prosser.
News Source: Shea
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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