Recent reports suggest that Apple will make some major moves regarding the design and construction of its upcoming series of flagship smartphones. However, a leaker disagrees with one of the most controversial tipped changes. According to the source, the iPhone 17 Pro models will continue to mount titanium frames.
Industry insiders claim that Apple sees the iPhone 17 series as the “most ambitious” to date. Even the design could be radically different from what the company has been showing in recent years. According to Wayne Ma of The Information, the Pro models will use aluminum as the frame material, ditching the titanium seen in the latest iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
Tipster claims Apple will continue to use titanium frames on all iPhone 17 Pro variants
However, Instant Digital, a tipster on Weibo, claims that Apple will keep the titanium frames on the iPhone 17 Pro variants. “Why would anyone believe it would switch to aluminum? Think about it — it’s just not possible. Looking back at recent iPhone models,” the tipster said. “Apple has consistently emphasized the premium frame materials of the Pro series as one of its key selling points, from ‘surgical-grade stainless steel’ to ‘titanium.’ If they switched to aluminum, how could they even market it?” Instant Digital added.
That said, the source did not indicate whether the statement is backed by inside sources or if it is a personal assessment. So, you can take it with a grain of salt. The tipster’s track record regarding Apple products is mixed.
Important design changes also tipped
Wayne Ma’s original report claimed that there will be other major design changes beyond the potential new material for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Apple could say goodbye to the classic dual/triple camera module it has been using in recent years. The Cupertino giant might implement a “rectangular camera bump made of aluminum rather than traditional 3D glass.” Meanwhile, the lower half of the device’s rear part may retain the glass to support the MagSafe system.
Anyway, if Ma’s leak is true, it would be interesting to see how Apple promotes the shift to a less premium material compared to the current Pro models.
We will probably have more news on this in the coming weeks. It is important that more reliable sources support one of the two possibilities to know which one could be closer to the truth. Other rumored changes for the iPhone 17 series include 120 Hz screens in all models and an iPhone 17 Slim that could replace the Plus variant.