Adam Kos When Apple presented the annual iPhone X, gave it a steel body frame. Since then, it has been the standard for the company with regard to the higher models of the iPhone line. However, with the iPhone 15 Pro, we got, as with the iPhone 16 Pro, titanium. But now aluminum is supposed to be everywhere, and that's good.
iPhone The X, iPhone XS, and then the Pro models up to the iPhone 14 Pro had a steel frame. It was more durable than aluminum and also had a more luxurious feel, but steel is heavy. With the iPhone 15 Pro, it switched to Apple to titanium, which was also used by the iPhone 16 Pro. Now we are waiting for a fairly major redesign of the iPhone 17, when it looks like the entire series will have a single body material, which will be aluminum. This will end a certain exclusivity of the higher models, but there is no need to criticize this step.
Time-tested account Instant Digital in a post on the Chinese social network Weibo, he said that the models iPhone 17 Pro they will have an aluminum frame with a glass back to maintain support MagSafe and wireless charging. About this part-aluminum, part-glass design of the models iPhone 17 Pro Wayne Ma from The Information previously reported this, now another source is reporting it.
iPhone 16 and aluminum frame
The reasons for this change are of course not officially known, and they probably won't even mention them. Apple, that is, if it does not fundamentally present the weight of the new products. Titanium is heavier than aluminum, and with the way the upcoming iPhones are supposed to grow (especially in the area of the photo module), their weight with a titanium chassis could be quite critical. But aluminum will solve this. The appearance will not suffer, only the durability will be slightly reduced. Given that most of us wear them anyway iPhone in the cover, the material used on the frame actually doesn't really matter.
iPhone 16 Pro Max and titanium frame
Titan
benefits
- High strength and durability: Titanium is significantly stronger than aluminum and has a higher strength-to-weight ratio. It can withstand higher impacts and is more resistant to fatigue.
- Flexibility: Withstands high pressure.
Disadvantages
- Higher price: Extraction and processing of titanium are more complex, energy-intensive and expensive than aluminum.
- More difficult to machine: Titanium is harder, which makes it more difficult to machine and requires special tools and techniques.
- Lower thermal conductivity: Compared to aluminum, it dissipates heat much worse.
Aluminium
benefits
- Low weight: Aluminum is lighter than titanium (the density of aluminum is 2712 kg/m³, of titanium 4500 kg/m³).
- Lower price: Aluminum production is significantly cheaper.
- Easy machinability: Aluminum is malleable and easy to cut, shape, and form into complex shapes.
- High thermal conductivity: It is an excellent conductor of heat.
Disadvantages
- Lower strength and durability: Compared to titanium, it is less strong and has lower fatigue resistance.
- Higher coefficient of thermal expansion: It expands more when heated.
From this comparison, it is easy to conclude that if low weight, good thermal conductivity and lower cost are priorities, aluminum is simply better. Titanium leads only in durability.
