Carbon fibre would be cool in an iPhone.. My Cannondale is carbon fibre, which is really nice for weight...makes it pretty fragile, though.
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Apple to Keep Titanium Chassis for iPhone 17 Pro Models, Claims Leaker
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Carbon fibre would be cool in an iPhone.. My Cannondale is carbon fibre, which is really nice for weight...makes it pretty fragile, though.
Because they release one every other month..? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So you want a complete redesign but you also want it to look like an X/XS…. That’s not a complete redesign
It would at least be different than the now stale design we have had for the last 5 years. I think the important thing is going back to rounded sides for comfort and a more premium look and feel.
Perhaps I'm wrong as I didn't own an iPhone 12-14 but I was under the impression that the iPhone 15 & 16 adapted the earlier design so it had the flat edges from the 12-14 series, but with more tapering to feel more like the X-11 range. Thus I consider the 15 to be the start of a new 3 year cycle.
I guess it comes down to perspective (my earlier replies were a lot shorter as I was texting from my phone in the living room, while at the same formulating a lengthier response).
I go back to the iPhone 15 pro, which used titanium (making it 10% lighter), replaced lighting with usb-c, got an action button, a 5x camera and the A17 pro chip evidently prioritised efficiency (better battery life) over performance. In my opinion, this is Apple doing what they do best - a number of iterative updates which address a bunch of quality-of-life issues. I know many of you will think this is boring, and this really isn't Apple's fault. The reality is that the iPhone is already very successful, and there really isn't much you can do to a rectangle with a camera slapped on the back.
The 16 pro got another chip upgrade, the camera control button, the screen is slightly larger and that's about it. I am not sure if this means that the 17 pro will see another round of very minor updates, or if Apple was simply sandbagging for a more significant upgrade later next year. I guess we will have to wait and see.
Price-wise, assuming the iPhone stays at the same cost, this means that Apple products continue to get cheaper year after year once you account for inflation (and which makes Apple's emphasis on lowering margins that much more understandable). Some people seem to want to see the iPhone actually come down in price? I suppose it's impressive that Apple has been able to defy gravity for so long (hey, I can both desire to pay less, yet marvel at how well-run a company Apple is; they are not mutually exclusive).
I will probably upgrade from my 13 pro max next year, in which case I will see a significant number of improvements due to 4 years of cumulative updates. Or maybe I won't, which again, is not inherently a bad thing because it means that my 13 pro max continues to be supported with software updates and still benefits from tight integration with my other apple products.
Which then brings me to...
To each their own, though I believe that Apple is far from doomed, as there is still a level of "it just works" which differentiates the iPhone from other android smartphones, even if people feel that iOS has grown buggier of late and Apple hardware updates have become iterative.
It kinda builds on my posts in the other thread about iPhone sales reportedly stagnating (I believe it's seasonality which may jump back next quarter or next year), as the iPhone is still tops in terms of system integration, and little is often mentioned about drawbacks that android handsets may have (which I suspect is due to critics simply comparing spec sheets and assuming that larger number = better deal for the customer). The pixel, for example, tends to have worse battery life and (I think) a worse modem, while Samsung appears to have questionable reliability around the world.
It's also a reminder that what makes for good business decisions by Apple may not necessarily translate into multi-orgasmic thrill rides for tech YouTubers or attention grabbing headlines on tech blogs, but that doesn't mean they don't matter to the end user, and it will continue to show in Apple's increasingly predictable earnings reports every quarter.
I have had a 13 and now a 15 Plus and that tapering the phones have now is practically non existent. They all feel the same in the hand especially with a case on which is what the great majority of people use. The 15 and 16 feel nothing at all like the X-11 phones.
Yeah, I wouldn’t be so sure.
The 2G had an aluminum back, the 3G had a plastic one.
The 4 and 4S had stainless steel sides, the 5 completely ditched that for aluminum.
The 5 and 5S had glass windows on the back for antennas, the 6 completely ditched the back glass for plastic antenna bands.
Apple isn’t afraid to downgrade or sidegrade when they want to.
Given that aluminum is significantly more recyclable, and the fact that the people that care about the titanium are wildly outnumbered by the people who just want a slightly less heavy phone, I think either rumor is likely.
The 2G had an aluminum back, the 3G had a plastic one.
The 4 and 4S had stainless steel sides, the 5 completely ditched that for aluminum.
The 5 and 5S had glass windows on the back for antennas, the 6 completely ditched the back glass for plastic antenna bands.
Apple isn’t afraid to downgrade or sidegrade when they want to.
Given that aluminum is significantly more recyclable, and the fact that the people that care about the titanium are wildly outnumbered by the people who just want a slightly less heavy phone, I think either rumor is likely.
I didn't want to go Finewoven and I spent so long dithering over which leather case to buy, that I discovered that i really liked how the iPhone 15 felt in my hand so have remained caseless ever since. Like I say, I never owned a 12-14, but the 15 feels better in my hand the the 4S did back in the day.
I think apple will go with aluminum to help keep prices down. If the tariffs that are being threatened due in fact happen, according to CNN we are looking at a $200+ increase in phone prices next year.
If you are able to, pick up any iphone that is a 6 though 11 with the rounded sides and you will see a massive difference compared to your phone.
The basis of this article is: "they just wouldn't, because I can't think of how they would market it."
Well, that's just nonsense. They would, if they had any compelling reason to whatsoever. Maybe they aren't happy with the performance of the titanium so far. Maybe it's getting too expensive. Maybe they have a new aluminum unibody process in the works that makes it even more rigid and durable than they can do with titanium at this size. Maybe they realize the weight, even with titanium, is getting out of hand.
Whatever the reason, there is no way to claim that they won't, or wouldn't. If they do, it's because it will be "better" in some practical way that matters, even if it were only cost. And that can be marketed.
Well, that's just nonsense. They would, if they had any compelling reason to whatsoever. Maybe they aren't happy with the performance of the titanium so far. Maybe it's getting too expensive. Maybe they have a new aluminum unibody process in the works that makes it even more rigid and durable than they can do with titanium at this size. Maybe they realize the weight, even with titanium, is getting out of hand.
Whatever the reason, there is no way to claim that they won't, or wouldn't. If they do, it's because it will be "better" in some practical way that matters, even if it were only cost. And that can be marketed.
I have it from an untrustworthy source that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have a carbon fiber case. iPhone 17 Amateur models will be made of recycled bubble wrap.
My iPad Pro M4, third party pencil hvings issues swapping from the bottom to go to the Home Screen from the App. It used to work earlier. Not sure when it stopped working like this since I hardly use pencil but when I tried to use it today, it is behaving weird.
Until there where no „pro“ models and every iPhone was „pro“d by the way It’s not the metal that make it pro. It’s the features like camera and screen eg.
I know. I ride too. But we are into metals here. Aluminum is not unpro. It’s solid and light (!!). Something you can not tell about steel or titanium.
I still wouldn't be surprised that the iPhone 17 Pro models go back to a new aluminum alloy chassis. Reason: titanium is still very expensive to cast.
I want a metallic case, I dont care about the material but I want it to be light weight. So far right now all the Pro Model are heavy. They could have traded those weight for a larger battery.
I am glad that for the first time ever I agree with the majority on Macrumors. The current Pro is too heavy.
Make both iPhone 17 thinner, but 17 Pro stay the same thickness and weight but with larger battery. Which is what Apple is doing with their Mac anyway.
I am glad that for the first time ever I agree with the majority on Macrumors. The current Pro is too heavy.
Make both iPhone 17 thinner, but 17 Pro stay the same thickness and weight but with larger battery. Which is what Apple is doing with their Mac anyway.
I was excited to see how much lighter than 15 Pro was over the 13 Pro, and then Apple jacked the weight back up with the 16 Pro.
For the record, I have no problem handling the weight of the phones, I just don't like it.
The problem is dropping the iPhone. I don’t use a case on the iPhones, as I really appreciate that when I drop my iPhone (happens), I don’t ruin or even scratch the iPhone with Titanium. With aluminum it creates serious structural damage and many of displays have been broken on the cheaper aluminum. I agree with another poster who stated maybe the sides are titanium but the back has aluminum.
I would consider just switching to Samsung if Apple starts going super cheap on the materials. I want a reason to get out of the iPhone ecosystem. I love the Messages app but that is all I would miss. Seriously, this nickel and diming us to death by Tim is just getting out of hand - especially if we go from premium materials to “aerospace” aluminum which is super inexpensive. It’s inexpensive in MacBooks, iPads, and iMacs also. It may feel premium, but aluminum is essentially recycled soda cans. Take away all the advantages of buying iPhone and just make it an ecosystem thing, and people will find better solutions.
Still think my Nothing Phone 1 is a better designed phone than the iPhone. Not even a $400 phone, and it really has everything I need except the Messages app. But the weird thing is outside the USA, the blue bubbles are essentially worthless as people with iPhones use WhatsAPP, We Chat, Line, and etc.