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While that makes sense, this is hardly a new discovery. This was known when Apple switched to Titanium with the 15 Pro, and it was also known when Apple switched to stainless steel with the iPhone X.

I doubt they'll be like "we discovered aluminum is lighter than titanium by volume, great, huh?". I think they'll either talk about how the aluminum in the 17 series is some kind of very special aluminum ("grade 15 ultra pro max aluminum used by NASA") or they won't talk about it at all, simply marketing how light the phone is (17 Air) without mentioning materials at all.
Years working with different aluminum alloys, I'd agree with you - every alloy is special no matter if it's the best machineable T7075 or the cheaper brittle T6061 - we won't know what Apple really uses...
 
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While that makes sense, this is hardly a new discovery. This was known when Apple switched to Titanium with the 15 Pro, and it was also known when Apple switched to stainless steel with the iPhone X.

I doubt they'll be like "we discovered aluminum is lighter than titanium by volume, great, huh?". I think they'll either talk about how the aluminum in the 17 series is some kind of very special aluminum ("grade 15 ultra pro max aluminum used by NASA") or they won't talk about it at all, simply marketing how light the phone is (17 Air) without mentioning materials at all.
Yeah, definitely possible. I was just throwing out a truth they could use if they wanted. Your theory is probably more accurate. Either way, we’ll soon find out!
 
Weight.

Titanium is about ~66% heavier than aluminum by volume.
But is far stronger, letting them use less of it and reducing the overall weight. There’s no comparison between an iPhone 11 Pro Max and an iPhone 15 Pro Max in weight. The 15 is noticeably lighter, despite even having a larger screen. Titanium iPhones are way lighter than aluminum ones.
 
But is far stronger, letting them use less of it and reducing the overall weight. There’s no comparison between an iPhone 11 Pro Max and an iPhone 15 Pro Max in weight. The 15 is noticeably lighter, despite even having a larger screen. Titanium iPhones are way lighter than aluminum ones.
I didn’t consider that. Great point.
 
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But is far stronger, letting them use less of it and reducing the overall weight. There’s no comparison between an iPhone 11 Pro Max and an iPhone 15 Pro Max in weight. The 15 is noticeably lighter, despite even having a larger screen. Titanium iPhones are way lighter than aluminum ones.

The 15 Pro max was titanium and the 11 Pro max was stainless steel!

Titanium iphones may well be lighter than stainless steel iphones all sizes being equal but not aluminium.
 
As far as I know “titanium” in current iPhones isn’t pure titanium, it is an alloy with aluminum. So going back to aluminum isn’t so bad, they just simplify it all. I am not sure whether end user will feel any difference. I had tried titanium iPhones and tbh they do not feel more premium than my stainless 11 Pro, tho they feel nicer than baseline aluminum 11 (which is probably made from reused coca cola cans… feels very cheap).

Ultimate move for Apple is to move to stainless, but it will tremendously increase device weight. Given that there are no new mini iPhones and all iPhones are monstrous in size, it will be a disaster.

I hope that they will use quality aluminum alloy this time, not something that feels cheap
 
But is far stronger, letting them use less of it and reducing the overall weight. There’s no comparison between an iPhone 11 Pro Max and an iPhone 15 Pro Max in weight. The 15 is noticeably lighter, despite even having a larger screen. Titanium iPhones are way lighter than aluminum ones.
11 Pro Max is stainless, that’s why it is heavy. On the other hand, it is probably bulletproof as tank.

5 years ago when I did not do any sports and workouts holding my 11 Pro in one hand felt like a brick, but now feels kinda natural. Apple devices benefit from workouts🤣
 
That makes a lot of sense for a handheld device that can be dropped.

Less weight = less energy dissipated on impact = less damage.
Except that the aluminum phones dent quite a lot worse than the titanium ones.
 
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Under Cook 🧑‍🍳 it’s always about Cost Savings for shareholders. So out with the Titanium and back to affordable Aluminum 😉

They’ll add some tiny 0.5% amount of something to the aluminium, titanium wouldn’t surprise me, so it’s an alloy.

”No innovation? Think again, sheep. Alutanium. Only phone on the market with it. Strongest there is. Made in the US. You’re gonna love it.”
Why such absurd snarkiness? Or do you simply fail to understand what alloys are? Adding "0.5% amount of something" to a metal can totally change its material characteristics; e.g. adding chromium to iron to reduce rusting. What is it that you suggest Apple should not do? Not use materials science in iPhone design? Not change things up?
 
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Probably first time I won't be switching to a new phone every 1 to 2 years.
Titanium is stronger and much less scratch resistant, and like someone already mentioned. You don't need as much Titanium to make the phone durable enough, so it actually comes out to be lighter than aluminum.
 
How long do people hold their phones for continuously that a few grams is an issue? I reckon my longest is when I go to work and I might hold it for 40 mins reading the news
 
They’ll say “Today we’re proud to announce the first carbon-neutral iPhone ever.”
But won't mention toxic metals used in iPhones:
  • Lithium and Cobalt:Used in the rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
    • Toxicity: Cobalt mining, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has faced scrutiny for ethical and environmental issues. If batteries are improperly discarded, the heavy metals within them, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper, can leach into the environment.
    • Apple's Response: Apple uses certified recycled cobalt in its batteries and uses its recycling robot, Daisy, to recover valuable materials from discarded iPhones.
  • Rare Earth Elements:A suite of these metals, including neodymium, dysprosium, and lanthanum, are used in tiny, powerful magnets and glass polishing.
    • Toxicity: The extraction and processing of rare earth elements can produce toxic byproducts that contaminate water and soil.
    • Apple's Response: Apple has pioneered the use of recycled rare earth elements in consumer electronics.
  • Lead and Chromium:These are classified as hazardous waste, and early electronics sometimes contained them in higher concentrations.
    • Toxicity: In the past, studies found lead in some components, and the improper disposal of electronics (e-waste) can cause it to leach into landfills.
    • Apple's Response: Since 2009, Apple has eliminated the use of lead, mercury, and certain types of chromium from its final product designs.
  • Aluminum, Tin, and Copper:These are widely used but have environmental impacts associated with their mining and processing.
    • Toxicity: The manufacturing and disposal of components with these metals can lead to localized pollution if not properly managed.
    • Apple's Response: Apple has committed to sourcing recycled materials, with many of its products featuring 100% recycled aluminum enclosures.
 
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But is far stronger, letting them use less of it and reducing the overall weight. There’s no comparison between an iPhone 11 Pro Max and an iPhone 15 Pro Max in weight. The 15 is noticeably lighter, despite even having a larger screen. Titanium iPhones are way lighter than aluminum ones.
iPhone 11 Pro was stainless steel, not aluminum.
Probably first time I won't be switching to a new phone every 1 to 2 years.
Titanium is stronger and much less scratch resistant, and like someone already mentioned. You don't need as much Titanium to make the phone durable enough, so it actually comes out to be lighter than aluminum.

It’s a plausible hypothesis, but I imagine it depends on a lot of factors. Exactly how much lighter vs how much stronger. The exact type of titanium (alloy) and aluminum (alloy) we’re comparing. The types of strength (tensile, etc) that are most relevant (the required shape and role of the metal in the phone may make certain types of strength more or less relevant). Other non-obvious engineering requirements that perhaps makes using less of the metal a limited or non option.

Ultimately, do we actually know that Apple uses less titanium so that it is lighter than aluminum iPhones?
 
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I am actually looking forward to a lighter Pro. I had steel ones, I had titanium ones - and it's all nice - but they are heavy. Aluminium feels quite good, actually. I buy the Pros for the screen, camera, performance, etc. - not the so-called "premium" materials (aluminium is premium enough).

I hope the rumor is true.
 
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