In an uncommon twist, Apple could also be planning to drop titanium from this yr’s iPhone 17 Professional fashions, switching as an alternative to aluminium — a cloth the corporate has by no means used for an iPhone Professional body.
In 2017, Apple ushered in its higher-end lineup with the iPhone X. Whereas that mannequin set itself other than the usual iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in a complete lot of how, from an edge-to-edge OLED display to a TrueDepth Face ID digital camera, it additionally featured a extra premium design with a chrome steel body.
The stainless-steel body remained a distinguishing design aspect of Apple’s flagship fashions as they advanced by means of the iPhone XS/XR and into the iPhone Professional period. In 2023, Apple switched issues up with the iPhone 15 Professional, dropping stainless-steel in favor of Grade 5 titanium for an elevated tensile power and fewer weight.
That continued with the iPhone 16 Professional fashions, but when the most recent rumors are true, these may very well be the top of the highway for a titanium body, at the very least for the Professional household.
Final week, a considerably dependable leaker reported that Apple plans to desert titanium and return to aluminum, which shall be used to border what they consider shall be a definite glass panel set into the rear of the iPhone Professional fashions, relatively than extending edge-to-edge, as proven within the picture beneath.
Nevertheless, not all sources agree on that design. Some have shared pictures, just like the one on the left, that present an iPhone 17 Professional with a full-glass again. Nonetheless, none of this implies Apple may not select to make use of aluminum for the body. Notably, The Info’s Wayne Ma, who has a superb monitor document for accuracy, additionally reported final yr that Apple was shifting to an aluminum and glass design for this yr’s Professional fashions.
An Elite Titanium Mannequin?
It’s not fully clear why Apple may abandon titanium, but it surely may very well be a manner of setting its new darling aside on this yr’s lineup, the so-called “iPhone 17 Air.”
Practically each analyst and leaker agrees that Apple plans to remove the iPhone Plus this yr and exchange it with a modern and skinny new mannequin, which has alternatively been dubbed the iPhone 17 Slim and iPhone 17 Air. Most sources are actually leaning in direction of “Air” as that appears to take advantage of sense in mild of Apple’s iPad and MacBook households, however Apple may nonetheless shock us, and we gained’t know for certain till September when Apple formally unveils it.
Early studies prompt the ultra-slim iPhone could be a luxurious mannequin, presumably priced even greater than the iPhone 17 Professional Max, regardless of having solely a single digital camera. Nevertheless, as extra studies introduced Apple’s plans into clearer focus, it appeared extra probably it could be a design-forward mannequin with a extra smart price ticket, probably becoming into the slot at the moment occupied by the iPhone 16 Plus.
The distinguishing function of the “iPhone 17 Air” is anticipated to be its near-impossible thinness. Experiences range, however the estimates vary from an astonishing 5.5 mm to a extra cheap, but nonetheless vital, 6.25 mm. To place that in context, the thinnest iPhone Apple has ever launched was the 2014 iPhone 6, which measured 6.9 mm. At the moment’s iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional fashions measure 78 mm and eight.25 mm, respectively.
There are additionally studies that it could get an unique new shade to assist it stand out, and now at the very least one analyst is saying that Apple nonetheless plans to adorn it with a titanium body.
That’s in response to Jeff Pu or GF Securities (through MacRumors), who additionally confirms that the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Professional, and iPhone 17 Professional Max will all sport aluminum frames.
On this case, the usage of titanium might not be solely about magnificence, though Apple will undoubtedly promote that facet. Nevertheless, when Apple unveiled the titanium iPhone 15 Professional, it touted the usage of Grade 5 titanium as “an alloy that has even greater tensile power than pure titanium” that’s “sometimes reserved for functions the place the steadiness of power, formability, in addition to weight, are particularly essential.” It additionally identified how this is identical alloy used on the Mars rover.
Titanium is barely heavier than aluminum, and on that entrance, it looks like an unlikely selection for what must be Apple’s lightest iPhone. Nevertheless, the stronger materials is probably going essential if Apple needs to keep away from one other “bendgate” controversy prefer it encountered with the iPhone 6 Plus.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]