Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority
Tl;
- According to the supply chain analyst Jeff PU, the iPhone 17 Pro can switch back to an aluminum frame.
- This change is reportedly due to environmental considerations and Apple’s target neutrality goals.
- Thus, the iPhone 17, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max can contain aluminum frames, while 17 air can use a mixture of titanium and aluminum.
Apple made a big deal of switching to Titan with the iPhone 15 Pro series, and replaced stainless steel as a frame material. Stainless steel, albeit strong and durable, was very heavy, so the transition to titanium in the middle of the frame to the iPhone 15 Pro series was a welcome feature. A new report suggests that we are now on our way back to an aluminum frame for iPhone 17 ProSelecting a full circle for Apple when it goes off the Titanhype train.
An investorotat from Apple Supply Chain Analyst Jeff PU (via Macrumors) suggests that iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro max everyone will have aluminum frames. PU says Apple’s plan to use aluminum for iPhone 17 Pro is due to environmental considerations, as aluminum generally has a lower carbon footprint compared to titanium. Apple aims to achieve carbonneutrality across the products and the supply chain by 2030, so this feature will be needed. PU says that some iPhone 17 models can thus be advertised as Apple’s first carbon neutral iPhones.
Only three models in the iPhone 17 series are mentioned to sports a titanium frame. In particular, a discussion is a mention of the supposed iPhone 17 air, which suggests that it might have a titanium frame. A previous leak from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had suggested that the iPhone 17 Airs frame would use a mixture of titanium and aluminum (same as the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro series – Even they have a mixture), but with a lower amount of titanium.
iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro concept reproduces based on leaked designs
Leak Resources Bufficial Mention that the information about the switch to an aluminum frame is “correct.” Leak Jon ProsesAs recently leaked the design of the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro, mentions that the latest versions they have seen have an aluminum -unibody. It is said to be no visible separation between the edges of the phone and the back.
Jon Proses mention That iPhone 17 Pro could come up with an updated design, but iPhone 17 could look like iPhone 16.
Remember that all of these are leaks, and we must wait until later this year for more information from the company.
I disliked stainless steel frame on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which made the phone as heavy as 240g (as much as some recent folding fabrics) and was also a fingerprint magnet. I really appreciated the lighter weight of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the finish also did a significantly better job of hiding fingerprints. I also prefer the lighter weight of the non-pro-IPhone, so I feel optimistic about this aluminum change. Although yes, it would be a less differentiating factor between the regular iPhone and iPhone Pro, my wrists would be grateful for the switch.
Will Android flagship also ditch titanium?
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
On the Android side of the grass, several OEM rushed to adopt titanium in their flagships when it became clear that Apple should do so. Samsung adopted titanium in Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Ultra. Even Xiaomi adopted titanium in Xiaomi 14 Ultra Special Edition, but the standard edition retained aluminum for its frame.
It will be interesting to see which of these OEMs rolls back on the change in response to Apple – it will be easier for Xiaomi since they had a limited version, while Samsung went into Titanium Hype Train. That’s what you get to copy Apple instead of having your own reasons.
