iPhone 17 Air May Be the Only Model With Titanium Frame

Apple has always saved premium materials for its Pro models. But this time, things are taking a turn. The upcoming iPhone 17 Air is rumored to use a premium titanium frame, while the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max might switch back to aluminum. That’s a surprise nobody saw coming.

Titanium Comes to iPhone 17 Air, Not the Pro Models

The report comes from analyst Jeff Pu, who says only the iPhone 17 Air will have a titanium chassis. The rest of the iPhone 17 lineup—including the regular, Pro, and Pro Max models—are expected to feature aluminum frames. That’s quite a shift, considering both the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro had titanium bodies.

Titanium in a non-Pro iPhone sounds strange at first, considering it’s heavy. However, it makes sense when you consider durability. The iPhone 17 Air is just 6mm thick, and Apple may want to use titanium to keep it strong and avoid bending issues. Making a phone that thin with aluminum might raise concerns, something Apple definitely wants to avoid after the infamous iPhone 6 Bendgate.

This might explain why Ming-Chi Kuo believes Apple will go for a titanium-aluminum alloy frame, a blend that keeps things lighter while still offering more strength than pure aluminum. Kuo also says the mix will have a lower percentage of titanium than what we see in current Pro models, like the Grade 5 titanium used in the iPhone 15 Pro.

Here’s What Each iPhone 17 Model Might Use

Here’s what Jeff Pu predicts for the 2025 iPhone lineup:

• iPhone 17: Aluminum frame
• iPhone 17 Air: Titanium (or titanium-aluminum alloy) frame
• iPhone 17 Pro: Aluminum frame
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: Aluminum frame

For context, here’s how the iPhone 16 series compares:

• iPhone 16 / 16 Plus: Aluminum frame
• iPhone 16 Pro / Pro Max: Titanium frame

Apple’s New Design Strategy, or a One-Off Twist?

Apple spent the last two years hyping titanium as a Pro-only flex. Suddenly, the iPhone 17 Air might be the only model to get it, while the actual Pro models go back to aluminum. That’s not just unexpected—it flips Apple’s usual playbook.

But there’s logic behind the switch. Aluminum is far easier to recycle, and Apple’s been loudly chasing its climate goals. The carbon-neutral M4 iPad Pro and Apple Watch weren’t just marketing—Apple is clearly trying to make sustainability a core part of its hardware strategy.

Still, not everyone’s convinced. Some leakers believe the Pro models will keep their titanium frames. And Jeff Pu, the analyst behind this claim, has had a mixed track record with predictions.

Why Titanium Might Be Essential for the iPhone 17 Air

But here’s the thing—the Air can’t afford to follow the rest. At just 6mm thin, it needs the extra strength titanium offers. Going with aluminum could raise durability concerns Apple won’t risk. Plus, the Air is also rumored to get the same A19 Pro chip as the high-end models, making it a design-first device with Pro-level performance.

If true, this wouldn’t just make the Air unique—it would signal a major shift in how Apple thinks about product roles and where it chooses to place its boldest ideas.

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