📱 iPhone 17 Air to Feature Titanium Frame, Analyst Claims
According to a new investor note from Apple analyst Jeff Pu (via GF Securities), Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air is expected to be the only model in the iPhone 17 lineup to feature a titanium frame. In contrast, the rest of the 2025 lineup—including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max—is expected to revert to aluminum frames.
💡 Titanium may make a surprise return—but not where you'd expect it.
📊 iPhone 17 Lineup: Expected Frame Materials
| Model | Expected Frame Material |
|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | Aluminum |
| iPhone 17 Air | Titanium |
| iPhone 17 Pro | Aluminum |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | Aluminum |
🔍 Why Titanium for the iPhone 17 Air?
While aluminum is typically lighter than titanium—making it an ideal choice for ultra-thin and lightweight devices—the iPhone 17 Air is rumored to prioritize a super-slim design. Titanium’s structural strength may be essential for reinforcing the thin chassis without compromising durability.
This choice may seem counterintuitive at first, but Apple may be aiming to combine the best of both worlds: lightweight portability with premium strength.
Interestingly, previous reports from respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested the Air variant may use a hybrid frame—mixing both titanium and aluminum. If accurate, this would make the iPhone 17 Air the first iPhone with such a composite material strategy.
📱 A Shift from Previous Frame Strategies
Since the introduction of the iPhone X in 2017, Apple’s premium models have consistently used stainless steel or, more recently, titanium (starting with the iPhone 15 Pro series). A return to aluminum for the Pro lineup in 2025 would mark a significant design shift—possibly to reduce weight or manufacturing costs.
iPhone 16 Series Frame Materials Recap:
- iPhone 16: Aluminum
- iPhone 16 Plus: Aluminum
- iPhone 16 Pro: Titanium
- iPhone 16 Pro Max: Titanium
This evolution indicates Apple’s willingness to experiment with frame materials to meet specific design, performance, or sustainability goals across its product tiers.
📅 When Will We Know More?
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025, where it may provide more clarity on the choice of materials and the design philosophy behind the iPhone 17 Air. Until then, rumors continue to paint an intriguing picture of what could be Apple’s lightest and most premium thin-form iPhone yet.
Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to Apple’s official iPhone 17 announcement event.