Return to Aluminum After Two Years of Titanium Chassis
Apple might be reconsidering the use of titanium in its iPhone 17 Pro models. According to sources from The Information, the tech giant plans to switch back to aluminum for the Pro models, a material used in its smartphones for years. Apple introduced titanium chassis with the iPhone 15 Pro, which was released in 2023.
Reasons for the Possible Switch
The information published by The Information is surprising. If it comes to fruition, it would mean Apple would abandon the titanium chassis just two years after its introduction. However, other sources point to potential reasons for the tech giant to revert to aluminum in the production of Pro iPhones.
Why Apple Might Abandon Titanium in iPhone Pro?
There are at least three possible reasons for this:
- Material Price: Titanium is more expensive, and Apple might want to cut costs in the iPhone 17 Pro, although it’s unlikely to translate to price reductions for consumers. Stainless steel and aluminum, used previously, were already highly durable.
- Weight: Titanium is heavier than aluminum but lighter than the stainless steel used in the iPhone 14 Pro. However, with the current state of smartphone technology, a slight change in grams does not make a significant difference to users.
- Overheating Issues: The Information cited the potential impact of titanium on the overheating of Pro models. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max faced overheating problems, with the 3 nm manufacturing process by TSMC being blamed at the time.
It’s worth noting that the launch of the iPhone 15 series wasn’t without issues. The Pro and Pro Max versions experienced overheating problems. The manufacturing process for the A17 Pro SoCs by TSMC was identified as the culprit.
Regarding titanium’s price, it’s probable that Apple wants to reduce costs in the iPhone 17 Pro — but this might not lead to lower prices for consumers. The material is more expensive, and consumers might not care about it. Stainless steel and aluminum, used before this change, were already highly resistant. Plus, nearly everyone uses a protective case on their phone.
Titanium is heavier than aluminum but lighter than the stainless steel in the iPhone 14 Pro — non-Pro models use aluminum in their chassis. However, with the current state of smartphone technology, a slight change in grams doesn’t make a difference to the user. As mentioned earlier, aluminum with a protective case already provides good durability against drops and scratches.
