Other Aluminium vs Titanium Colour Coating

[nomad01]

Trying to decide which colour 17 Pro Max to go for.

I had huge issues with the black iPhone 16 pro max scratching within days of purchase and being able to see the bare titanium showing through underneath.

Is the move to Aluminium likely to improve this? Does the coating on aluminium tend to be more durable?

Maybe I was just unlucky but I’ve always gone black/space grey and never had an issue until they moved to titanium.

 

[applefanb0y]

If you hate the paint chips, the white is the best color to go far. Literally 0 debate. People will come and tell you oh my phone is pristine, you dont take care of your etc etc but its fact that the non-white ones are the most susceptible to showing the metal underneath when it chips or scratches.

My black 16 PM had paint chips even when I had a case on. They werent huge but tiny ones around the frame. I was able to upgrade to the white one for my storage needs and its been pristine since.

 

[nomad01]

My black 16 PM had paint chips even when I had a case on. They werent huge but tiny ones around the frame. I was able to upgrade to the white one for my storage needs and its been pristine since.

Same. Happened within days of purchase so I returned and switched to the plain titanium.

I just don’t recall having the same issues with pre-titanium phones though.

 

[Barbareren]

No issues with aluminium discolouration here, although I don’t think it is any less prone to scratches.

Edit: 2 years going case-less with a 15 Plus I only have some scratches on the corners of the phone (after drops), but they’re not visible unless you examine it closely… A previous titanium iPhone I had looked much worse even when using a case (the bottom of the phone was completely scratched up) - dust and tiny rocks get in there no matter what. Ask anyone you know with a Pro/Pro Max to remove their case and the damage is easily visible. I, personally, prefer aluminium.

 

[nomad01]

No issues with aluminium discolouration here, although I don’t think it is any less prone to scratches.

Thanks. I wasn’t asking about discolouration though. I was just wondering if there was any “official” reason to believe the coating on aluminium would be more hard wearing.

matter what. Ask anyone you know with a Pro/Pro Max to remove their case and the damage is easily visible. I, personally, prefer aluminium.

That’s the thing. I’ve had the last two (natural) titanium pro max phones, in cases, and they’re pretty much immaculate to the naked eye. 🤷🏻‍♂️

It was the black 15 pro max that I had that scratched within a week of owning it. I could literally rub more of the coating off with my finger nail.

I’m hoping the aluminium coating is more hard wearing but not sure I’m willing to take the risk… so thought I’d ask if there was any reason to believe it would be.

 

[Barbareren]

Thanks. I wasn’t asking about discolouration though. I was just wondering if there was any “official” reason to believe the coating on aluminium would be more hard wearing.

Well, I edited my previous comment, although I don’t know if it was very useful. I don’t think Apple have disclosed any "official" reason, so it’d be mostly guessing; like weight, heat distribution and general cheapness I suppose.

 

[Barbareren]

I’m hoping the aluminium coating is more hard wearing but not sure I’m willing to take the risk… so thought I’d ask if there was any reason to believe it would be.

I can only speak from personal experience - the scratches are less noticeable on an aluminium frame… But more durable? I don’t think so…

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I think the fact the camera bezel rings are aluminium is surprising and perhaps will show chips. I would go for the silver to make it less obvious.

 

[Joseph C]

I had a Black Titanium 16 Pro for a few months last year and also found scratches on the titanium before long. I'd not had this issue on my Natural Titanium 15 Pro for the entire year I had it.

Switched to a 16 Pro Max in Natural Titanium and again had no more issues. Like you, I can't remember aluminium iPhones now, not having had one since before iPhone X's switch to stainless steel.

I know my friend's black iPhone 16 is pretty beat up though (case-less guy like me).

The white iPhone Air with titanium edges is probably best shot - but then again, we've not had polished titanium before either. 😭 Really think there's no way to know what's best at this point for the users who rock their phones case-less.

 

[Golf7-R]

The silver iPhone Pro hides scratches the best. I prefer orange, but I will probably buy the silver one..