Apple usually is aware of what it’s doing in terms of industrial design, however the firm’s newest reported determination is inflicting greater than slightly confusion amongst Apple followers and pundits.
Based on the GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone 17 Air could have a titanium body, whereas the iPhone 17, 17 Professional, and 17 Professional Max will all be manufactured from aluminum. It is a counterintuitive alternative, to say the least, as a result of titanium is heavier than aluminum, and the iPhone 17 Air is predicted to be marketed as an ultra-lightweight smartphone. And final November, a number of sources insisted that all the iPhone 17 vary can be manufactured from aluminum.
In addition to being heavier than aluminum, titanium is significantly stronger, and it’s potential the slender iPhone 17 Air wants this sturdier body in order to keep away from one other Bendgate scandal. The issue with that rationale is that Apple appears to have already solved the Bendgate challenge with out resorting to titanium. In 2014, the 6.9mm aluminium iPhone 6 bent (sometimes), however the 5.1mm aluminum iPad Professional, launched in 2024, didn’t bend (outdoors of click-chasing YouTube stunts). Apple stated it strengthened the design utilizing a metallic “cowling” on the logic board down the middle of the gadget, and it stands to cause that it might work on the iPhone 17 Air, too.
Pu made the prediction this week in an investor observe seen by MacRumors. He’s a prolific pundit–we reported on his newest Apple Product Timeline final month–however one with a combined document: on the time of writing, AppleTrack charges him at 50 p.c accuracy, so his predictions ought to be taken with a pinch of salt.
There stay roughly two months till Apple unveils its new smartphones for late 2025. Sustain with the most recent information and rumors with our commonly up to date iPhone 17 superguide. Should you don’t wish to wait that lengthy, decide up a cut price on the present vary with our roundup of the greatest iPhone offers.
