IPhone 17 Pro Models Could Ditch Titanium, Use Aluminum Instead

According to the latest rumor, the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models could ditch titanium. This information comes from Jeff Pu, an Apple supply chain analyst. The information was relayed by MacRumors.

The source claims that both iPhone 17 Pro models will ditch titanium in favor of aluminum. The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max use a titanium frame, while the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models use aluminum.

Well, Apple is planning to backtrack a bit. As many of you know, Apple was originally using aluminum for its high-end models, then switched to stainless steel, and then pivoted to titanium.

What’s also interesting is that the source claims that three out of four models will use aluminum. The fourth one, well, it will use a titanium frame. That fourth model is the iPhone 17 Air, a phone that has been much rumored for months.

The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will all use aluminum based on this information. Those are the four iPhone 17 models that are coming this year, Apple is seemingly ditching the ‘Plus’ variant.

There’s a good reason for this change

Jeff Pu says that Apple is planning to go back to aluminum because of “environmental concerns”. Aluminum, for those of you who did not know, has a lower carbon footprint compared to titanium.

If true, this change does make sense, as Apple is aiming to achieve carbon neutrality for all its products and supply chain by 2030. Also, aluminum is better for heat dissipation. Still, it’s interesting that the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to use titanium. All four devices are expected to arrive in September.

Apple will announce another smartphone this year, though, the iPhone SE 4 aka iPhone 16E. That device is expected to become official at some point today.