iPhone 17 Pro Max iPhone 17PM frame soft?

[goldmac2006]

Yep. This whole titanium thing is way overblown on these forums, when it was introduced and when it was discontinued.

Just that it gets scratched easily 🤷‍♀️

Blue 17 pro does get discoloration issues while the 15 pro doesn’t have that defect

 

[TechnoMonk]

Just that it gets scratched easily 🤷‍♀️

Blue 17 pro does get discoloration issues while the 15 pro doesn’t have that defect

The phone 15 would have probably cost 3 grand for grade 5 titanium. I think bigger problem with iPhone 15 Pro was risk of getting snapped and breaking. Apple did improve with 16 Pro. And the top PvD coating is not titanium, unless you are melting with blow torch, most of titanium is not even in play with PVD coating masking the metal.
Edit: iPhone 15 pro natural titanium color WS ok but other colors started fading on iPhone 15 Pro too.

Apple admits some discoloration might occur on the iPhone 15 Pros' titanium frame

Apple has admitted that some discoloration might occur on the titanium frame of the iPhone 15 Pros, and offered cleaning advice to users.

www.idownloadblog.com

 

[Macdctr]

With the iPhone air being the only titanium iPhone released in this year’s iPhone series with the 17s, it’s pretty cool but we do have to deal with only a single camera and single speaker. 🔈

At least when buying the Air you should know all this going in.

Single speaker is not an issue when you can use Air Pod Pros which I have done. As for having the single camera, what is on the Air does a decent job capturing photos. I was impressed when I took my Air to a car meet and got a few really nice pics. I'm not turned off by these "compromises" not for daily use.

 

[valinda]

I have dropped mine in a tech woven case. No dents on my phone. I have 17 pro max.

 

[Tsepz]

The phone 15 would have probably cost 3 grand for grade 5 titanium. I think bigger problem with iPhone 15 Pro was risk of getting snapped and breaking. Apple did improve with 16 Pro. And the top PvD coating is not titanium, unless you are melting with blow torch, most of titanium is not even in play with PVD coating masking the metal.
Edit: iPhone 15 pro natural titanium color WS ok but other colors started fading on iPhone 15 Pro too.

Apple admits some discoloration might occur on the iPhone 15 Pros' titanium frame

Apple has admitted that some discoloration might occur on the titanium frame of the iPhone 15 Pros, and offered cleaning advice to users.

www.idownloadblog.com

I think it’s a small number of people unable accept the change in materials, I remember how people cried that the Titanium in the 15 Pro felt “cheap” etc…compared to Stainless Steel, many of those same people eventually moved to the “cheap stainless steel” of 15 Pro or 16 Pro and many of them have now moved to the aluminium of the 17 Pro too.

I remember the Blue 15 Pro issues very well especially with discolouration:

Apple says touching the iPhone 15 Pro can temporarily change its colour

Apple fans previously shared pics of the high-end model with signs of discolouration around its buttons

uk.news.yahoo.com

Also apparently scratching easily:

Titanium Edges Of iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max Can Be Easily Scratched, Emphasizing On The Use Of Cases

The titanium finish of the latest iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max can easily be scratched, as shown in one image

wccftech.com

I never had these issues on my 15 Pro Max, same as not having any 17 Pro Max dent issues.

I don’t know why people are acting brand new when it comes to aluminium on 17 Pro, plenty iPhones, iPads and MacBooks have used it too and continue to.

 

[goldmac2006]

The phone 15 would have probably cost 3 grand for grade 5 titanium. I think bigger problem with iPhone 15 Pro was risk of getting snapped and breaking. Apple did improve with 16 Pro. And the top PvD coating is not titanium, unless you are melting with blow torch, most of titanium is not even in play with PVD coating masking the metal.
Edit: iPhone 15 pro natural titanium color WS ok but other colors started fading on iPhone 15 Pro too.

Apple admits some discoloration might occur on the iPhone 15 Pros' titanium frame

Apple has admitted that some discoloration might occur on the titanium frame of the iPhone 15 Pros, and offered cleaning advice to users.

www.idownloadblog.com

Bro you beat me to it - fingerprints on titanium 15 Pros are natural oils getting on it- but that guy I always heard of from that YT video really touched. I remember watching it before, PVD is the same thing  colors titanium and stainless steel gold and slate/graphite Apple Watch. The heavy metal rods he used in the video scratches blue tatty easily, but a blue 17 pro would get scratches even in the softer hard surfaces like Apple Store iPhone docks. FYR here’s a few shots of blue 17 pro all scratched up, MagSafe ring all over it when I looked at it at Apple Store:

I took these shots shortly after release day.

I never had these issues on my 15 Pro Max, same as not having any 17 Pro Max dent issues.

Same here I use a case ALL THE TIME !

 

[goldmac2006]

At least when buying the Air you should know all this going in.

Single speaker is not an issue when you can use Air Pod Pros which I have done. As for having the single camera, what is on the Air does a decent job capturing photos. I was impressed when I took my Air to a car meet and got a few really nice pics. I'm not turned off by these "compromises" not for daily use.

Just a step up of iPhone 16e, right? And I don’t use my iPhone speakers for media only notifications 🔔

 

[DaveS86]

Aluminium is indeed softer than titanium, that being said, it doesn't just magically get a dent without being knocked or dropped!

Just being in a case hasn't dented the aluminium, that just hasn't happened!

I’ve honestly never dropped my phone, literally ever! I’m beyond careful with them, I’m thinking of keeping my 15PM which is still immaculate.

 

[MarkX]

I’ve honestly never dropped my phone, literally ever! I’m beyond careful with them, I’m thinking of keeping my 15PM which is still immaculate.

Well if you didn't then maybe somebody else has?

It doesn't need to have been dropped, It is possible it's been hit on a hard edge somehow!

 

[Sami13496]

If you want premium materials you need to get Air 🙂

This year, Apple shook things up. The Pro lineup used to be the clear “premium” series, built with the best materials. This year, the Pro models are more of a utilitarian toolbox: rough and powerful, a soap-bar-looking thick slab packed with every possible piece of technology.

The premium materials are in the Air lineup this year. Of course, if your use case genuinely requires Pro features, that’s unfortunate, because this year you have to settle for an easily flexing soap bar. Maybe Apple will fix this mistake next year.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Nobody believes you when you say it wasn’t dropped.

You don’t speak for everyone on the forum. And further more, a phone can get accidentally dented without having been dropped. The OP could have accidentally knocked it against an object without realizing what occurred.

It is rather rude to call a forum member a liar, which is what you did.

 

[avro707]

Yep, the 17 Pro Max improved on a number of things that I appreciate:

1. Heat dissipation - I live in South Africa, it gets incredibly hot around this time, I do a lot of driving as well, I had a few times where the 15PM got so hot it turned off to cool down while I was using it for GPS, it didn’t happen often, but when it did it was incredibly frustrating.
2. Ergonomics - the 17 Pro Max feels so much better in my hand, with or without a case, I like big phones especially if they are correctly designed, the 15 PM was an AMAZING step forward with Apple rounding of the edges, the 15 PM itself is an ergonomic masterpiece, the 17 PM dials that up to 11, I personally am very happy with now Apple has evolved iPhone design between 15 PM, 16 PM and 17 PM, no more sharp edges.
3. Battery life - 15 PM didn’t struggle here but the 17 PM has certainly been a worthwhile upgrade in this area, I usually used to top up my 15 PM at set time, but with the 17 PM I tend to just plug in as and when I want to, I could just charge up to 80% and know I will be good for the rest of the day even if I am going to a festival.
4. Camera - the 17 PM feels significantly faster all round here, I think the upgraded memory with higher read/write speeds along with more RAM has greatly improved the overall camera experience especially when wanting to do a lot between modes etc…the 17 PM flys effortlessly.
5. Handling iOS 26 - the 15 PM handles it well but there is a definite difference, you can tell the 17 PM was designed around Liquid Glass, I think the 15 PM A17 Pro chip does struggle on and off here.

I loved my old 15 Pro, it was traded in on a 17PM, but it went back to Apple in pristine condition looking brand new, even with original box.

That said, it got quite hot and the battery life wasn’t the best. The 17PM is superb for that. I’m wary of the construction in aluminium, it went straight into a Quad Lock case. The 17PM is bulky and fairly heavy, but I can live with that given how good the screen is.

I try to keep my phones (and Apple computers too) in perfect condition.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Happy New Year!

I’ve just taken my month old 17PM out of its Supcase UB Pro and found a dent near the charger where the case grips. It was immaculate when I bought it and went straight in to the case when it came out the box.

My question is, is Aluminium on the frame really so soft, mines never been dropped or anything. Insane that putting it in a case can dent the frame. Should I have a chat with Apple?

No, the aluminum alloy frames are not "really so soft." All those folks here claiming aluminum iPhone 17 cases are soft are just blowing smoke. The fact is that the iPhone 17s are tough and durable. It is absurd that so many people talk about alloys as if they present the same characteristics as the base metals.

Note that phone toughness is a complex engineering issue, not simply hard vs. soft. FWIW my caseless 17 PM has been dropped to concrete multiple times and is still just fine. However I am a person who uses tools like phones and computers; I do not spend time seeking out meaningless tiny cosmetic anomalies. So YMMV.

 

[Antaris]

Exactly this.
I have dropped my 17 Pro Max so many times now in this ZAGG case and it is spotless, same as any other phones I have had that are aluminium, stainless steel and titanium.

Zagg Rainier?

I was won over by the drop protection (22ft), and have dropped mine (3~4' onto carpeting a couple of times, 5' from the dresser top) and it's been "so far so great!" in that area. Not an issue here either.

I've yet to remove the phone from the case to verify anything after accidentally whapping the phone's side edge against the bookshelf's shelf. It wasn't much pressure, I'd reckon less than a 4' drop onto the carpeted floor at a slight angle too, but the hard outer plastic ring would likely have taken the brunt and not dent the phone within. I don't think it had, given the confidence in Zagg and previous drops so far. If I switch cases, since I prefer the beige over the green to complement the blue phone with (beige looks great opposite orange as well), I'll know for sure if there is a tiny indentation by then. Zagg was easily one of the best case makers out there.

 

[Antaris]

I loved my old 15 Pro, it was traded in on a 17PM, but it went back to Apple in pristine condition looking brand new, even with original box.

That said, it got quite hot and the battery life wasn’t the best. The 17PM is superb for that. I’m wary of the construction in aluminium, it went straight into a Quad Lock case. The 17PM is bulky and fairly heavy, but I can live with that given how good the screen is.

I try to keep my phones (and Apple computers too) in perfect condition.

Yup. Both chassis and battery we make fusses over, to keep in good condition to help resale value, which is not unimportant.

Do you have a website for QuadLock? I use Zagg Rainier - love it, but am always looking for brands that provide the best drop protection.

The 17PM rocks in the display. I've two and for one I'd apparently "lost the screen lottery" on, but still looks better than my S25U I'd traded in and I don't even notice the purple fringing at angles. The other which has less purple fringing also looks great. IMHO, they're both winners. It's a general issue with OLED anyhow and not Apple-specific.

My 17PM does get warm to the touch at times (aluminium being a gigantic heatspreader for the vapour chamber and all) and that's only when I accidentally hit the camera side button or if I use wireless Qi charging. No heat issues with actual usage (or screen dimming or other throttling). I'd rather have the heat escape that route and be mildly intrusive than for it to be trapped inside heat-nonconductive alloys that would cook the electronics within.

 

[avro707]

Yup. Both chassis and battery we make fusses over, to keep in good condition to help resale value, which is not unimportant.

Do you have a website for QuadLock? I use Zagg Rainier - love it, but am always looking for brands that provide the best drop protection.

https://www.quadlockcase.com.au/products/iphone-case-all-devices?selected=eyJvcHRpb24xIjoiUU1DLUlQMTdYTCJ9

I have a quad lock charger as well, along with an adapter for my Wahoo Kickr Bike for when I’m riding on Zwift. Quite convenient compared to sitting the phone on the window sill.

 

[DaveS86]

Well if you didn't then maybe somebody else has?

It doesn't need to have been dropped, It is possible it's been hit on a hard edge somehow!

Like you say though, the case is completely undamaged and never dropped, I don’t think anyone else has ever touched my phone, the case is massive!

It’s just annoying when you really look after your things and then see that they actually aren’t really that good quality.

 

[Tsepz]

Zagg Rainier?

I was won over by the drop protection (22ft), and have dropped mine (3~4' onto carpeting a couple of times, 5' from the dresser top) and it's been "so far so great!" in that area. Not an issue here either.

I've yet to remove the phone from the case to verify anything after accidentally whapping the phone's side edge against the bookshelf's shelf. It wasn't much pressure, I'd reckon less than a 4' drop onto the carpeted floor at a slight angle too, but the hard outer plastic ring would likely have taken the brunt and not dent the phone within. I don't think it had, given the confidence in Zagg and previous drops so far. If I switch cases, since I prefer the beige over the green to complement the blue phone with (beige looks great opposite orange as well), I'll know for sure if there is a tiny indentation by then. Zagg was easily one of the best case makers out there.

Zagg Reiner indeed, got the “Panda” look going, it’s not for everyone but I have always liked mixing black and white.
Their drop protection is excellent indeed, I have dropped mine a bunch of times on tiles and concrete, the fact that the screen sits recessed due to the lip around the case has also helped keep the screen protected as I have chosen not to install a screen protector.

Sounds like you should be fine, I doubt yours would be damaged with those drops, I have taken mine out the case a number of times including today just to clean the device and it looks as good as new.

Here’s mine:

 

[3:16]

iPhone 5 had the same issue dented easily with even a slight drop

 

[Parowdy]

No I’m not really surprised by this. Aluminum unibody framing has always been easier to dent and/or scratch by being dropped or carelessly handled or having a case that is a very tight fit. iPhone cases are all not made equal. Some will scratch the metal surface and some won’t affect the finish. YMMV . . .

Being damaged by a case that’s a very tight fit…
I’m sorry but please, share a single example of this happening.
I’ve had multiple aluminium iPhones with very different cases over the years, and while I did dent my 2016 SE in my pocket with my keychain pressing against it (that was also the day I stopped babying my iPhones), I call bs on iPhones denting by a „case that’s a very tight fit“.
No way that ever happened. No way a silicone or plastic case has ever in the history of them existing dented an iPhone simply because it’s on the phone.
Never. Nor will it ever happen.

So, again. You should be surprised.

 

[Parowdy]

iPhone 5 had the same issue dented easily with even a slight drop

That’s not „the same“. OP claims the phone dented from nothing.
That never happened with any iPhone.
Easily dented, sure. But then again, the 5 used a different aluminium alloy, the kind that got the iPhone 6 bend and was replaced with the 6s. And that’s the alloy that’s being used today.

 

[DaveS86]

This is what really puts me and others off ever posting on forums. I have nothing to lie about, no reason to lie, and nothing to gain whatsoever.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

If you want premium materials you need to get Air 🙂

This year, Apple shook things up. The Pro lineup used to be the clear “premium” series, built with the best materials. This year, the Pro models are more of a utilitarian toolbox: rough and powerful, a soap-bar-looking thick slab packed with every possible piece of technology.

The premium materials are in the Air lineup this year. Of course, if your use case genuinely requires Pro features, that’s unfortunate, because this year you have to settle for an easily flexing soap bar. Maybe Apple will fix this mistake next year.

The Air is far from being a premium phone though. Its an SE spec device in the middle of the line up and given a shiny exterior. Having bought Pro devices for the last few years, I can't say the materials used were ever in the purchasing equation for me.

 

[MarkX]

Like you say though, the case is completely undamaged and never dropped, I don’t think anyone else has ever touched my phone, the case is massive!

It’s just annoying when you really look after your things and then see that they actually aren’t really that good quality.

Soft as aluminium is compared to steel it doesn't just dent on its own miraculously.

Something has happened at some point it's just you don't know how or when!

 

[Sami13496]

The Air is far from being a premium phone though. Its an SE spec device in the middle of the line up and given a shiny exterior. Having bought Pro devices for the last few years, I can't say the materials used were ever in the purchasing equation for me.

Your comment highlights exactly the point that premium means different things to different people. To me, it means the look, the feel, and the overall experience. To others, it means the spec sheet.