Apple is set to retain its titanium chassis for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models, dismissing previous reports that the company was planning to switch to an aluminum frame across its entire 2025 iPhone lineup, according to Weibo leaker “Instant Digital.”
Contradicting Previous Reports
Last month, a report from Wayne Ma of The Information suggested that the iPhone 17 Pro models would mark the first high-end iPhones to feature an aluminum frame since the introduction of the Pro and non-Pro lineup.
Prior to the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple used stainless steel frames for its high-end models but switched to titanium with the iPhone 15 Pro, calling it a significant upgrade.
However, the leaker, known for their mixed track record in Apple rumors, claims this is not the case for the iPhone 17 series. In a Weibo post, Instant Digital stated, “Of course, the iPhone 17 Pro will still use titanium. Why would anyone believe it would switch to aluminum? Think about it โ it’s just not possible.”
A Closer Look at Apple’s Strategy
The Weibo leaker argues that switching to aluminum would be a step back for the Pro series, which Apple has emphasized as premium with materials like “surgical-grade stainless steel” and titanium.
Instant Digital also questions how Apple could market a device made from aluminum as premium, given its focus on high-end materials in recent iPhones.
However, it’s important to note that The Information’s Wayne Ma reported that the switch to aluminum was part of a larger design overhaul. The rumored design change would include an aluminum upper back and a rectangular camera bump made of aluminum, with the bottom half of the device remaining glass for wireless charging.
Speculation and the Unknown
While Instant Digitalโs claim remains unverified, Apple’s history of introducing new features only to later remove them โ like the 3D Touch feature on the iPhone 6s, which was removed in the iPhone 11 โ adds some uncertainty to the discussion.
Instant Digital has, however, accurately predicted some key Apple features in the past, such as the launch of the Yellow iPhone 14, frosted glass on the iPhone 15, and spatial video capture on the iPhone 15 Pro.
Looking Ahead to iPhone 17
The iPhone 17 series is expected to launch in fall 2025 with new display sizes, a rumored ultra-thin model, and ProMotion displays across the lineup. Whether the titanium frame makes the cut or not will likely become clearer as we approach the official announcement.
