iPhone 16 Pro Max Was the titanium design of iPhone 15/16 Pro a failure?

[russell_314]

I’m in the never put in a case crowd. Except for the curved models from the 6 to the 11. I could never get a grip on those phones. Begrudgingly used a case.

Yeah, I can understand this. I find my phone easier to hold inside of a case. The texture of plastic is easier to grip than stainless steel. It also feels softer and to use Apple’s term, more premium 😂

Of course I think it’s what you’re used to. If you’re used to not having a case, then that makes sense. Even a thin case does add some bulk so that’s a negative and noticeable difference

 

[DaveS86]

14PM weighed 240g, 15PM weighed 221g, I don’t particularly think that’s trivial, I certainly notice the difference

 

[redcarian]

My opinion comes from a place where the iPhone 11 Pro Max in Midnight Green was peak iPhone, so I have a somewhat jaded view of iPhones 12-16. 12-15 were just worse, ergonomically. I get that Apple needed to refresh the line, but what a way to do it. My 14 was a great colour, but it was sharp - and I don’t mean the display.

The 16PM’s more rounded case is much more comfortable. I got the natural titanium because I thought it was the best of a terrible set of colour options (black, white, brown desert, light brown, natural, ffs), not because OMG TITANIUM. I certainly didn’t give a monkey’s about the weight, because 30g? Not a problem, I can lift a bag of crisps.

For durability, I wish we could go back to the days of old, like the Lumia phones in polycarbonate. I had a yellow 920 and it looked great, and if you scuffed the polycarbonate body, so what? It’s yellow all the way through!

 

[Allen_Wentz]

That must be exhausting. Disregarding everything when it’s not perfect. Don’t get me wrong YT titles are clickbait by design. But that doesn’t mean the content itself is not useful, interesting or informative. You just need to be aware which sources (channels) are worthy of your attention - but this is true everywhere, even in news reporting.

Actually IMO the time and effort "to be aware which sources (channels) are worthy of your attention" is much more exhausting than disregarding the entire grossly flawed info source except when specific data is sought.

Note that audible info sourcing is very, very slow compared to speed reading at 400-500 wpm or more. But do what floats your own boat. Me, I find video great for entertainment, mostly poor for info sourcing. YMMV.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

14PM weighed 240g, 15PM weighed 221g, I don’t particularly think that’s trivial, I certainly notice the difference

Agreed. And note that most cases probably weigh more than 21 g.

 

[SmOgER]

My opinion comes from a place where the iPhone 11 Pro Max in Midnight Green was peak iPhone, so I have a somewhat jaded view of iPhones 12-16. 12-15 were just worse, ergonomically. I get that Apple needed to refresh the line, but what a way to do it. My 14 was a great colour, but it was sharp - and I don’t mean the display.

The 16PM’s more rounded case is much more comfortable. I got the natural titanium because I thought it was the best of a terrible set of colour options (black, white, brown desert, light brown, natural, ffs), not because OMG TITANIUM. I certainly didn’t give a monkey’s about the weight, because 30g? Not a problem, I can lift a bag of crisps.

For durability, I wish we could go back to the days of old, like the Lumia phones in polycarbonate. I had a yellow 920 and it looked great, and if you scuffed the polycarbonate body, so what? It’s yellow all the way through!

Yeah I dislike the colors too. I’ve got black but only because A) there was no choice that was not bland and B) black looks the most modern of what’s available, also C) the most immersive (blacks blend with dynamic island) and D) it will age the least + black helps hide the thickness against 17 Air or whatever is coming next 👀

 

[mrrobotoplus]

It seems very likely that all phones move back to aluminum this year… I was never a fan of the 15/16 pro designs because they seemed dull. Do these moves confirm that the design didn’t work as well as thought? I would actually love a return to shiny steel, plus a return to colorful aluminum…

I have already enough titanium attached to my bones. Enough 🙂

 

[TgeekB]

Got my 16 pro. Waiting for my case, it’s apparently coming from Pluto. I don’t see much of a difference to worry about it.

 

[smileman]

Apple doesn’t of course manufacture in the US like Ford, etc, but has anyone analyzed how the tariffs / trade war stuff could affect iPhone material choices?

MSN

 

[ASteve2many]

Realize this post is 9 months old. But as a caseless iPhone 16 pro user for over a year. This is absolutely my favorite iPhone build hands down. After a year of a lot drops including hard tile floors there is not a scratch or mark of any kind on the titanium body. The metal feels more subtle especially on the edges. Unlike stainless that felt like it was cutting into your hand. It’s also far lighter. Depending on how the battery fairs this is a 3-4 year phone for me. At first I loved the new pro in orange. But it’s aluminum.A friend of mine got the new orange one and returned it because it didn’t look as good and the aluminum didn’t give a pro build feel. Got the 17 air instead. But regrets that because of the lack of a wide view. And ended up settling with the 17. At least it’s cheaper he said. The 17 lineup is the first one where there is no phone for me. So the titanium was definitely not a failure especially if you care about durability in both strength and aesthetics. Agreed the heat was an issue but it doesn’t happen that often. Just don’t leave it in the sun. And maybe take a phone break if it is. Titanium transfers heat extremely well. Unfortunately it’s to your hand. The muted colors and the material not suited for more vibrant colors. Is the only true drawback and explains apples decision to discontinue. Hopefully they’ll figure it out. As right now there is no pro material. Though the unibody forged from mount doom or mount something looks cool when you take it apart I guess.

 

[zenmacx]

Titanium was the selling point because other than Ti, what else was different from iPhone 14 Pro? When you looked at the specs, it was marginally lighter. But people who wanted a light phone chose the regular model. So it was a lot of added cost without a lot of benefit.

Now that AI is the main selling point, Ti can be dropped.

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I concur.

I dropped my Titanium iPhone 16 Pro Max and it got scratched

I dropped my AI and it survived 😂

 

[ipsedixit]

the titanium on the 16Pro is the reason I did not upgrade to the 17Pro.

 

[zenmacx]

the titanium on the 16Pro is the reason I did not upgrade to the 17Pro.

I too decided against upgrading my Titanium iPhone 16 Pro Max for an iPhone 17 Pro Max all because of Apples choice to go aluminum.

Not because of weight or any other aspect of aluminum. As a stand alone metal I believe aluminum certainly has its advantages and I'm not comparing it to any other material.

The specific reason I prefer Titanium is aesthetics.

It's a very nice looking material that I prefer over others. Years ago I bought a beautiful brand new Titanium PowerBook which served me well for a long time.

Finally I must say I found it highly hypocritical of Apple to promote and brag about the advantages of Titanium when advertising the iPhone 16 Pro Max for an entire year, only to then pull a fast one and switch to aluminum for iPhone 17 Pro Max.

I don't care if aluminum is better, it's the principle that one year Apple says Titanium is best, then suddenly they are pulling some shenanigans and changing the narrative.

Finally there's the power and influence Apple has over the apologists and devotees who agree with everything the company does and happily pay the premium price no matter what.

 

[Mikeske]

I actually wonder how many folks really realize that the only titanium is the outer shell the main body inside is aluminum on the 15 and 16 pros and pro max phones. Maybe only about ten dollars or so material. I have a 16 pro and fully intend to keep it at three more years. But I also fully realize that the material makes not a hoot in a holler on the actual phone. Buy what you want as far as I can see is that apple is just being apple and the distortion field is deep

 

[zenmacx]

that apple is just being apple

Apple is very grateful for those who agree with everything the company does, never questioning anything.

Submitting to Apples whims and paying the price further reinforces the arrogance that only the company knows what best for their customers.

Apple has worked diligently to achieve this level of power and control, it’s an impressive achievement.

 

[ipsedixit]

I too decided against upgrading my Titanium iPhone 16 Pro Max for an iPhone 17 Pro Max all because of Apples choice to go aluminum.

Not because of weight or any other aspect of aluminum. As a stand alone metal I believe aluminum certainly has its advantages and I'm not comparing it to any other material.

The specific reason I prefer Titanium is aesthetics.

It's a very nice looking material that I prefer over others. Years ago I bought a beautiful brand new Titanium PowerBook which served me well for a long time.

Finally I must say I found it highly hypocritical of Apple to promote and brag about the advantages of Titanium when advertising the iPhone 16 Pro Max for an entire year, only to then pull a fast one and switch to aluminum for iPhone 17 Pro Max.

I don't care if aluminum is better, it's the principle that one year Apple says Titanium is best, then suddenly they are pulling some shenanigans and changing the narrative.

Finally there's the power and influence Apple has over the apologists and devotees who agree with everything the company does and happily pay the premium price no matter what.

I just like the heft that titanium provides on the 16P versus the alum on the 17P. While the alum on the 17P makes it lighter, it also makes the phone feel cheap to me.

Thermals be damned.

I keep my phone au naturel and how it feels in my hand (both in tactile sensation and weight) is uber important to me.