It's news to me that suddenly the reason is unclear. First is the ENORMOUS pressure to not blow out the price. Year over year Apple has proven that iPhones are at the ragged edge of what the market will bear. Raising the price even 10% lowers sales dramatically. Look at what has happened in China. They can spin CCP blame all they want, but when they slashed the price sales rebounded with a vengeance. That tells you the market simply would not support that price point.
Same thing with Apple Vision Pro. EVERYONE LOST THEIR FREAKING MINDS when it was announced. Only after the $3500 price tag was announced did people start claiming it was a junk niche device that no one ever wanted or would use.
SO. Why Aluminum?
2. Because it is A LOT cheaper than Titanium.
But mostly
1. Because Apple announced 10 months ago that the next iPone would be Aluminum because they were worried about tariffs on titanium.
It is a double edged sword. Apple is very afraid people won't (CAN'T) pay for Titanium, and they are also concerned they can't GET titanium.
Thus you will have an inferior product in every respect. But Tim will tell you it is better. "Let them eat Bugs!"
Same thing with Apple Vision Pro. EVERYONE LOST THEIR FREAKING MINDS when it was announced. Only after the $3500 price tag was announced did people start claiming it was a junk niche device that no one ever wanted or would use.
SO. Why Aluminum?
2. Because it is A LOT cheaper than Titanium.
But mostly
1. Because Apple announced 10 months ago that the next iPone would be Aluminum because they were worried about tariffs on titanium.
It is a double edged sword. Apple is very afraid people won't (CAN'T) pay for Titanium, and they are also concerned they can't GET titanium.
Thus you will have an inferior product in every respect. But Tim will tell you it is better. "Let them eat Bugs!"