Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Even just looking at the appearance, the iPhone 16 Pro (Max) and iPhone 17 Pro (Max) look like phones of completely different styles. You wouldn’t think they’re from the same lineup.
 
This is a non-issue for me. I ordered a Pro version and I understand that these are commercial grade products that are not indestructible and subject to dents, dings, and scratches from use, and the occasional drop.

These are meant to be used and stuff happens. They are not meant or designed to be museum pieces.

I see no need to stress or obsess over potential dents, dings and scratches regardless of the material used for an iPhone or anything else for that matter.

Set your expectations accordingly and you won't be disappointed.
 
I cannot believe they are still using trash aluminum on a $1100/$1200 phone and continue to call it “Pro”. Pro used to be the best of the best, now it’s being overshadowed by the less expensive Air. Which is using PREMIUM materials! Tim Apple pinching pennies again. Sad.

Did you miss the whole part about heat dissipation and the opinions of reviewers how vapor chamber probably wouldn't work with a titanium frame?
 
High-grade aluminium is a perfectly viable material for a phone chassis. If damage occurs, it's typically the result of user mishandling; these devices don’t self-destruct. I’ve put my 6S, OGSE, and 8 through extensive use, and none show dents or chips. I am even willing to show any sceptics! If your phone ends up damaged, it’s likely due to carelessness or overly rough treatment.
 
Apple knew if you were gonna buy the promax whether it was titanium or not wasn’t gonna make a difference so they save the titanium for the air which is exactly where they should put it
 
  • Like
Reactions: 4sallypat
Apple knew if you were gonna buy the promax whether it was titanium or not wasn’t gonna make a difference so they save the titanium for the air which is exactly where they should put it
The vapour chamber would not be as effective in a titanium chassis as it does not conduct heat as well as aluminium. Apple have decided to go with performance over style/design this time around.
 
  • Like
Reactions: decypher44
I never had thermal issues with my 15 pro and may miss the premium material. My phones have always looked pristine save one occasion when I chose to go naked and earned a screen scratch from a drop. Phones are not meant to be indestructible, so get AC and use a case if you want it to stay pretty. A phone being dropped on concrete and damaged is not newsworthy. It’s what happens when you drop a phone on concrete.
 
Titanium would fare better than aluminium on an identical drop. This is because titanium is a stronger and more durable material than aluminium.

This doesn't mean titanium is invincible. Hope this helps.
Due to the leverage of the tripod we're talking a lot of force on that corner. Its not the same as just dropping it from height. At the same time a softer metal would deform easier but take the impact and save the glass which is what happened here.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Chevysales
To make the unibody design with titanium wouldn't have been an easy practise. It's fine to work with straight lines and boxy designs but curves etc aluminium is a much better option.
Also as mentioned loads, doesn't hold heat like titanium.
The Air body is 3D printed so they might have been able to do a uni-body but it was more about heat dissipation. The 15/16 Pro's were aluminium bodied with a titanium frame edge if i remember, to help with this.
 
Since the dawn of the smartphone age, I’ve owned many aluminum phones, have used many of them without a case, and have never found aluminum to be a problematic material. It stands up to drops and scratches just fine. Unless photos like this start cropping up everywhere, I’m going to assume this case was a unique circumstance caused by hitting something unusually sharp or hard, combined with being attached to a heavy, rigid tripod, where it couldn’t just bounce off like if it had been dropped.
 
  • Like
Reactions: digimc
And why don't people put cases on their Rolex?

Maybe because it would be equally ridiculous but it is not socially accepted?
Because a Rolex is strapped to your wrist, pretty hard to accidentally drop that. Far easier to drop a phone than it is to slam a watch into something.
 
Because a Rolex is strapped to your wrist, pretty hard to accidentally drop that. Far easier to drop a phone than it is to slam a watch into something.
The watch analogy is an excellent one. Watches DO get damaged often, and as a result, Apple offers two product lines with premium metals/materials at a higher cost to mitigate that fact. The stainless series and Ultra (titanium) are much more durable than the cheaper aluminum sport models. And I think that is the overall frustration here, Apple is using a cheaper material that is prone to damage on their high end phones now. It is worth having a discussion about it, as there is a subset of pro users that have never owned an aluminum phone before, who don't want to put their premium product in a case, that might be surprised by the significant drop in durability.
 
I cannot believe they are still using trash aluminum on a $1100/$1200 phone and continue to call it “Pro”. Pro used to be the best of the best, now it’s being overshadowed by the less expensive Air. Which is using PREMIUM materials! Tim Apple pinching pennies again. Sad.
$4000 Macbook Pros are made of aluminum and you don't see anyone complaining about that.
 
$4000 Macbook Pros are made of aluminum and you don't see anyone complaining about that.
Sure they do, people absolutely complain if their MacBook gets knocked off the table and gets dented, that is why Apple brought back MagSafe. But a Mac is not a great comparison to a phone, as you do not slip one in and out of your pocket a hundred times a day, getting in and out of cars, walking through grocery store parking lots etc etc etc. They typically live in a backpack and are placed somewhere during use, so the odds are much lower that damage will occur for most. Liquid is the bigger threat to a MacBook, and iPhone comes out as the clear winner in that scenario, as both products are highly susceptible to coming into contact with it (if we are comparing damage scenarios on them).
 
  • Like
Reactions: digimc and Tdude96
2. People tend to forget that not everybody lives right next door to an Apple Store. My nearest one is 160 miles away, so in addition to that $99 replacement fee, tack on a full tank of gasoline and 8-9 hours of a day wasted.

Just for a point of clarification, depending on when you get your phone, they may or may not even have replacement models in stock. So the best thing to do is just have Apple mail you a new device. I do that for iPads too. I live near an Apple Store but I’m not going in for a replacement that is either under warranty or that is a $99 fee.

And yes, you can buy cheaper cases. My point is that for me (and I’m not necessarily advocating this for others), if I’m already into the $70+ range for a case I don’t even like, I’m good taking the risk to go caseless. Most of the time that is fine. Some years, it’s a $200 lesson.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.