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Back then, the chips were not hot. The A4 for example, was about 1W. Today, the power consumption of A18 is an order of magnitude larger.

Apple started using foil sheets, then upgraded to graphene sheets to spread the heat, and now to vapor chamber.

Titanium has very poor thermal conductivity, it's like insulation. Aluminum was always the best choice. Most heatsinks are aluminum. Apple has decades of experience and a huge investment in carving aluminum unibodies. iPhone 15 Pro was an anomaly.


This. People don’t understand the difference in metals behind titanium being cool. Which it is. But it’s not the best in every application — and for a phone alum provides more ups than downs.
 
This. People don’t understand the difference in metals behind titanium being cool. Which it is. But it’s not the best in every application — and for a phone alum provides more ups than downs.
Yes it's surprising how bad titanium is as a thermal conductor. So this iPhone Air may throttle a lot. It's always something.....
 
Phones are both tools and jewelry, especially at the $1000+ price point the top end commands. If it fails at being either a tool (bendy frame) or jewelry (cheap looking finishes/design) then it fails at perceived value.
 
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Did the 16 Pro have overheating issues? I find my 15 Pro is the hottest phone I’ve ever used, almost anything I do on it causes it to become noticeably warm, followed by it beginning to drop frames. By far my least favorite part of it. If going back to aluminum fixes that, I won’t care.
In general use I’ve never noticed my 16 pm get warm
 
How many of you are disappointed about Apple's decision of using Aluminum instead of Titanium and Stainless steel? I like iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I am planning to buy it soon. But aluminum? The most premium phone in 17 line up.
I was impressed with the premium look and feel of iPhone Air. its premium titanium frame its glossy finish. it looks like a premium smartphone. But it is about aesthetics, fashion over performance. But it's sad that Pro Max their top end device was somehow compromised it doesn't even look premium to me. It looks like iPhone 6 and 6s series.
Have you actually seen one in the flesh? Handled one? etc.? Or are you doing all this from a YouTube video?
 
Have you actually seen one in the flesh? Handled one? etc.? Or are you doing all this from a YouTube video?
Pictures, YT Video and


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I didn't get my hands on any of those 17 Pro Max Models. Deep sea blue looks bit premium just like my 15 PM except for aluminium frame instead of titanium which is fine now looking into uni body and thermal control. But my only concern is why compromise on elegance and premium and give that crown to some Air model.

Yes specs and performance comes first but add premium and aesthetics.
 
Pictures, YT Video and


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There are more posts like these where the


I didn't get my hands on any of those 17 Pro Max Models. Deep sea blue looks bit premium just like my 15 PM except for aluminium frame instead of titanium which is fine now looking into uni body and thermal control. But my only concern is why compromise on elegance and premium and give that crown to some Air model.

Yes specs and performance comes first but add premium and aesthetics.

Because Air is too thin, even with titanium it should be easily banded
 
Not disappointed at all. The weight benefit is nice, and the thermal improvements are key. The move to titanium a couple years ago was a clear case of form over function: aluminum is the more appropriate material for a high functioning mobile device.

I am however disappointed by there not being a black option.
 
The "controversy" regarding Titanium vs Aluminum was exacerbated by Apples incessant hype last year when advertising the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Claiming Titanium as the most sophisticated premium material ever used in an iPhone. Then, only to reverse course just one year later and substitute aluminum this year, just feels so disgusting.

Much like people being misled by "iPhone 16 Pro Max built for Apple Intelligence".

I do understand the advantages of aluminum as implemented this year, yet only Apple could dig themselves out of such a shift in claims and avoid any responsibility.

Then to have some of the faithful Apple duped, turn to advocate for aluminum is quite revealing.
 
Not just saying it but I prefer Aluminium. Titanium might be stronger or whatever but I just prefer the look and feel of Aluminium.
 
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For people who still don't get it:

Screenshot 2025-09-14 at 12.12.58 AM.jpg


 
I am waiting for some drop tests in tech forms to find out how sturdy these devices are and I hope they score better than its predecessor.
 
I am waiting for some drop tests in tech forms to find out how sturdy these devices are and I hope they score better than its predecessor.
Some EU results are in for this.

iPhone 17 Pro Max is Class B for drop resistance, surviving 180 falls compared to iPhone 16 Pro Max's Class C, which survived 90 falls. Double as resistant to drops.

iPhone Air also is Class B and survived 180 falls. It passed all EU bend tests.
 
Seems to me that this year’s lineup has something for everyone. If you want aesthetics then Air might edge it. If you want pro end creation then the pro will likely edge it. And if you want performance at a good price point then it’s the 17. Each has design tradeoffs based on the tech and materials available as of this point in time. Next year things will have moved on and might open up different options👍
 
Honestly? Yes.

It’s the first “top end” iPhone to use aluminium since iPhone 7/8, and they were priced at today’s entry level prices.

The iPhone X using stainless steel was one of the reasons it justified a premium price point. They have now reverted to using the “cheaper” material, while keeping the same premium price.

I understand abandoning titanium (they did it with the PowerBooks/laptops) but not going back to the premium stainless steel for the premium models smacks of them cutting costs IMO.

I think Apple are trying to change things this year - Pro models are not about nice design, but pure power and battery life.

The Air is the new “sexy” phone, with most but not all power features. Enough of the good stuff for prosumers, but not enough for “actual” pros. I’m glad it’s keeping the premium material, and polishing it for good measure.

Hope they continue to offer a model that has that level of polish going forward, as the Pros become less sexy and more utilitarian.
I think the best looking iPhones were the X. That polished rounded steel looked so premium to me.
 
I’m not sure whether I’m disappointed. Maybe surprised at first, but looking at all of it from a technical and marketing perspective, it does makes sense.

The iPhone Air is first and foremost centered about its design, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro series about pure and raw power, as many have already pointed out.

And it’s not that aluminum is automatically a cheap kind of material. It may feel less premium when you’re accustomed to stainless steel or titanium (although since I’m putting a case on it, it won’t matter anyway). But things like size, weight and form can make a difference.

That said, to me it’s all about what I do with it, not how it looks like. I would even accept a plastic design if it gets me all the features and battery life I wish for.

THAT to me is what makes a phone premium.

Not to say that the iPhone Air is a bad choice, obviously. Everyone will benefit from this year’s lineup, that’s the good news. They should’ve done this sooner, to be honest.
 
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I think the best looking iPhones were the X. That polished rounded steel looked so premium to me.
I get so nostalgic thinking back to 2017. The announcement, the painful wait til the November when the iPhone X came out, that utter joy and awe when unboxing it on release day.

Pure magic!

Hoping for similar feelings when I unbox iPhone Air next week - it's the spiritual successor to iPhone X I think!
 
I’m upgrading from a 14 Pro to the 17 Pro. I’m kinda looking forward to the change from stainless steel to aluminium as my 14 Pro is so damn heavy, it’s at times uncomfortable to hold (especially when you have small women hands like me!). I know on paper the weight isn’t really much different but in everyday use I expect I’ll see an improvement. I don’t worry about scuffs or scratches, I’ve never dropped any of my phones and I keep them in a soft material pouch rather than a hard case, so bits don’t get in and rub against them.
 
I’m upgrading from a 14 Pro to the 17 Pro. I’m kinda looking forward to the change from stainless steel to aluminium as my 14 Pro is so damn heavy, it’s at times uncomfortable to hold (especially when you have small women hands like me!). I know on paper the weight isn’t really much different but in everyday use I expect I’ll see an improvement. I don’t worry about scuffs or scratches, I’ve never dropped any of my phones and I keep them in a soft material pouch rather than a hard case, so bits don’t get in and rub against them.
17 Pro is the same weight as 14 Pro but bigger screen tho. I have pre order both 17 Pro and base 17 (just in case they ran out of stock) and will wait to hands on and reviews.
 
I think it’s more simpler than what people make it. Every Apple Products is made from Aluminum. From iPad, to Macs to Vision Pro. They known how to keep their products running cool.

It. Just. Works.
 
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