According to recent reports, Apple is planning a notable change for the upcoming iPhone 17 series. Instead of continuing to use titanium, as is the case with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models, Apple could use aluminum again for the iPhone 17 Pro models. This is surprising because titanium is considered a high-quality material and has so far been touted as an innovation in the Pro models. But there are a few reasons that speak in favor of this change.
In recent years, Apple has revised the choice of materials for its premium iPhones several times. While earlier models used aluminum, stainless steel and finally titanium were used. This constant change is causing discussions among Apple fans, especially when the changes affect weight, durability and price. Now there is new evidence that three of the four iPhone 17 models will again have aluminum frames. Only the iPhone 17 Air, a new model in the iPhone range, could continue to use titanium. But why this decision? Here are all the known details.
Apple returns to aluminum for iPhone 17 Pro models
An investor note from market research firm GF Securities according to, Apple is said to be choosing aluminum as the frame material for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. This would be a significant step, as Apple only switched from stainless steel to titanium with the iPhone 15 Pro series. Analyst Jeff Pu cites environmental protection as the main reason for this change. Aluminum has a smaller carbon footprint compared to titanium because it is easier to recycle and requires less complex processing. Apple aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and could see this decision as another step towards sustainability.
Another possible reason for the change is production costs. Titanium is a much more expensive material that is more difficult to process. Aluminum could enable Apple to reduce the production costs of the Pro models or achieve higher margins at the same time. Weight could also play a role. While titanium is already lighter than stainless steel, aluminum is significantly lighter again. This could mean that the new iPhone 17 Pro models are even more comfortable to hold than their predecessors.
The iPhone 17 Air remains titanium – an exception?
While the Pro models are set to switch to aluminum, there are indications that the iPhone 17 Air, a new model in the iPhone family, will continue to use titanium or a titanium-aluminum mix. Why Apple might have chosen this mix of materials is not entirely clear. One possible explanation comes from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who already pointed out last year that the iPhone 17 Air could have a titanium frame with a lower titanium content than the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models. This could indicate that Apple is developing a new material mix that combines certain advantages of titanium with the cost savings and weight reductions of aluminum. Another theory is that the iPhone 17 Air is being positioned as a particularly high-quality model. If it is to be a light, thin iPhone, a titanium frame could provide additional stability.
What does this mean for buyers?
If Apple actually switches to aluminum, it would have several effects:
- Lighter design – The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max could be even lighter than previous Pro models.
- Potentially lower prices – Switching to aluminum could lead to lower production costs, which could impact final prices – but that’s never guaranteed with Apple.
- More environmentally friendly manufacturing – If Apple advertises the iPhone 17 as “carbon neutral,” that could be a selling point for environmentally conscious customers.
- Material differences between models – The iPhone 17 Air could stand out more from other models than previously thought due to its titanium frame.
Speculations about the iPhone 17 Pro: What's really behind it?
The official launch of the iPhone 17 series is expected in September 2025. By then, more details on the technical specifications and material choices are likely to leak out. However, it currently remains unclear whether Apple will actually switch to aluminum for the Pro models or whether it is just a rumor. What is certain is that Apple is once again giving people something to talk about with this decision. The choice of material for a smartphone not only influences the weight and feel but also the price and environmental impact. It remains exciting to see how Apple will communicate this possible change and whether it will be well received by users. (Photo by Unsplash / Rahul Mishra)
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