Updated
Updated · Boy Genius Report · Jun 7
Apple Replaces Titanium With Aluminum on iPhone 17 Pro, Claiming 40% Better Sustained Performance
Updated
Updated · Boy Genius Report · Jun 7

Apple Replaces Titanium With Aluminum on iPhone 17 Pro, Claiming 40% Better Sustained Performance

3 articles · Updated · Boy Genius Report · Jun 7

Summary

  • Apple built the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max around a 7000-series aluminum unibody with a laser-welded vapor chamber, making cooling the centerpiece of the 2025 redesign.
  • That chassis lets heat dissipate more effectively than the prior titanium-backed approach, and Apple says it gives the A19 Pro 40% better sustained performance than the A18 Pro.
  • The aluminum redesign also enabled a larger camera module, freed internal space for bigger batteries, and integrated an improved antenna system into the phone's perimeter.
  • Titanium has not disappeared from Apple's lineup: the iPhone Air still uses it for strength in a 5.6 mm body, suggesting Apple now reserves the metal for ultra-thin designs rather than Pro models.

Insights

Has the iPhone 17 Pro's switch to aluminum proven a downgrade in durability for everyday users?
Will the iPhone Fold's rumored liquid metal hinge set a new durability standard for all foldable phones?
Is Apple's material flip-flopping a sign of innovation or a struggle to balance costs with on-device AI demands?