The biggest change between the standard and Pro models of recent iPhones has been the choice of materials used. The regular iPhones tend to use aluminium frames, while the Pro models get the more durable titanium frames. We know this year's iPhone 17 lineup is getting an "Air" model, and now a report shares that it will feature a titanium frame.
According to MacRumors, Apple expert, Jeff Pu, has claimed that the iPhone 17 Air is set to get a titanium frame and surprisingly, it will remain the only model in the iPhone 17 lineup to have one. Pu revealed that this information was mentioned in a recent investor note shared with equity research firm GF Securities.
The addition of a titanium frame makes sense for the iPhone 17 Air to some extent, as this device is rumoured to be ultra-thin. The recently leaked iPhone 17 Air dummy units suggest a phone that could be as thin as 5.5–5.65 mm, roughly.
A titanium body could make the Air more durable and resistant to bending and, perhaps, it's a move that could prevent Apple from getting into another iPhone 6 Plus scandal. For context, Samsung's Galaxy S25 Edge also uses a titanium frame, which could also have aided in this decision.
The expert also confirmed that unlike previous models, this year's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will opt for aluminium frames, same as the iPhone 17. In comparison, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus were the only models in last year's lineup to feature aluminium builds, while the more expensive iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max got titanium chassis.
Ever since the launch of the iPhone X, Apple has preferred using stainless steel or titanium frames on its more expensive models. While one reason could be that the use of aluminium would help bring down the overall weight of the devices, Apple may have a hard time convincing potential buyers to get the Pro models over the regular iPhone 17.
For now, we'll just have to wait until the release of the iPhone 17 series, which could be announced at Apple's early September event.
