Apple is reportedly bringing titanium to just one iPhone 17 model, and it’s not the Pro. Here’s why the iPhone 17 Air might be the only titanium phone in the lineup.
Titanium on a Budget iPhone? Now That’s Unexpected.
Ever since Apple introduced titanium frames on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, the material has become synonymous with the “Pro” tier—sleek, premium, and lightweight. Naturally, you’d expect that trend to continue in the iPhone 17 Pro lineup. But this year, things might flip in a surprising direction as noted by 9to5Mac.
According to a wave of reports, including one from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and another from Jeff Pu, the only iPhone 17 model expected to feature titanium is the iPhone 17 Air,a model that’s been positioned as thinner and slightly more affordable than the Pro versions.
Don’t miss this: iPhone 17 Air Hands-On Video Reveals Ultra-Thin Black Design and Camera Bar
Yes, you read that right. The Pro and Pro Max? Reportedly switching back to aluminum.
The Air? Holding onto titanium.
A New Blend of Materials
Now, it won’t be the same titanium you saw on the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to use a titanium-aluminum alloy, with less titanium content than its premium predecessors. So, while it’s technically a downgrade in grade, it still counts, and still sets the Air apart.
Related: iPhone 17 Pro Colors Leak: Orange, Dark Blue, More
Why the Role Reversal?
That’s the question everyone’s asking. Titanium has always been a Pro-level material, so seeing it used in a non-Pro device feels unusual. Aluminum is lighter than titanium, so the weight savings argument doesn’t quite land either.
Could this be a one-off design move to make the iPhone 17 Air stand out? Or is Apple testing new material combinations for the future? Personally, I believe this could be Apple’s way of reinforcing the frame of a device that’s expected to be remarkably thin at just 5.5mm.
Whatever the reason, it’s a bold shift.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the only model with a titanium frame
- The Pro and Pro Max are likely switching to aluminum
- The Air will use a titanium-aluminum alloy, not full titanium
- Apple may be redefining what “premium materials” mean in the lineup
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