We’ve already heard a lot of rumours about the iPhone 17, including a new display, a new Wi-Fi chip, and possibly even an iPhone Air.
The so-called Air has been rumoured to have a new design, but only recently. The news suggests that this is not the case and that Apple plans to refresh the entire iPhone 17 series. Moreover, the iPhone 17 Pro could get its biggest update in years. And what’s surprising about that? It could be a downgrade. Titanium has been a big part of Apple’s marketing for its Pro series in recent years, but according to The Information, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are returning to an aluminium frame. The redesign sees an aluminium camera bump on the back instead of glass, a first for a high-end iPhone since the iPhone 7 Plus in 2016. Apple then switched to a stainless steel frame, and then to a titanium frame, with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro.
It’s fair to say this was unexpected. Apple has made the premium titanium feel of the iPhone Pro series one of its marketing cornerstones. While it’s still just a rumour at this point, Apple’s move from titanium to aluminium surprised us more than any of the tech upgrades. It was also unexpected, as there is no evidence that other manufacturers have taken a similar route. For example, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumoured to be made of titanium.
The material has become the industry standard for pretty much top-tier devices. It feels odd for Apple to pull the plug without any warning. Aluminum also interferes with wireless charging, which is reportedly one of the reasons Apple is sticking with the half-glass back.
Given that this news comes from an unofficial source, there’s no word on why Apple would lean towards aluminum again, even if it has a proven track record. However, rising titanium costs, economic uncertainty with a new presidential term, and potential tariffs are leading many companies to err on the side of caution. With the move to Apple Intelligence, it’s possible that Apple is trying to cut costs so it can focus on the internal silicon chips rather than the external case.
