Home
Mobiles
Mobiles News
iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Models Could Feature Aluminium Frame Unlike iPhone 17 Air: Report

iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Models Could Feature Aluminium Frame Unlike iPhone 17 Air: Report

Apple's regular iPhone 17 model might not arrive with a redesigned rear camera module unlike other handsets in the series, according to a tipster.

Written by David Delima | Updated: 19 February 2025 16:06 IST

Facebook

Tweet LinkedIn Reddit Email Comment

Google News

iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Models Could Feature Aluminium Frame Unlike iPhone 17 Air: Report

iPhone 17 is tipped to feature the same design as the regular iPhone 16 (pictured)

Highlights

Apple is expected to launch four new iPhone 17 models this year
Three models in the iPhone 17 lineup might feature aluminium frames
The iPhone 17 Air is still expected to sport a titanium frame

Apple's purported iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models might be equipped with an aluminium frame, according to an analyst. For the past couple of years, Apple has used a titanium frame on its iPhone Pro models, after switching from stainless steel, which added a considerable amount of weight to the company's handsets. The iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to be unveiled as the successor to last year's iPhone 16 Plus, is still expected to arrive with a titanium frame.

iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro Could Help Apple Achieve Carbon Neutrality Goals

Citing an investor note from Haitong International Securities Group analyst Jeff Pu, MacRumors reports that the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature an aluminium frame. However, the fourth model in the series — the iPhone 17 Air — is still expected to sport a titanium frame, according to Pu.

The company has used aluminium for its standard iPhone model for several years now, while the company switched from aluminium to stainless steel with the iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone 11 Pro, and subsequent premium models. With the iPhone 15 Pro, the Cupertino company began using a titanium frame, which resulted in a lighter handset.

iPhone 17 Air Seen in Renders With Slim Body, Elongated Camera Module

The company doesn't typically disclose its plans for rumoured iPhone models, or other products, so the real reason for the anticipated substitution of titanium for aluminium is still unclear. The analyst suggests that the decision to use aluminium on its next smartphones could help Apple achieve its carbon neutrality goals, which have a 2030 deadline.

On the other hand, we can speculate that the purported decision to continue using titanium on the iPhone 17 Air might be related to the smartphone's durability. Recent reports suggest that the iPhone 17 Air will be as thin as 5.5mm, making it Apple's thinnest iPhone to date. Using titanium instead of aluminium could ensure the durability of the rumoured handset.

While the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro might have an aluminium frame in common, the rumoured changes to the design of the rear camera module on the iPhone 17 Pro might not make their way to the standard model.

According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by FrontPageTech's Jon Prosser, the iPhone 17 is expected to feature the same design as the iPhone 16. Prosser recently leaked renders of the iPhone 17 Air and the iPhone 17 Pro, with an elongated rear camera module.

iPhone 16

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A18

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 18

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

iPhone 16 Plus

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Stunning display
Solid build quality and lovely colour options
Battery life is bonkers on this one
Excellent for gaming and performance (in general)
Improved cameras

Bad
Still offers a 60Hz refresh rate and misses out on AOD (always-on display)
No fast charging
Comes with USB 2
No Apple Intelligence features out of the box

Read detailed Apple iPhone 16 Plus review

Apple iPhone X

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Stunning design and display
Great cameras
Wireless charging
Assured, timely software updates

Bad
Costs a small fortune
First party apps not great in India
Fast charger not bundled

Read detailed Apple iPhone X review

Apple iPhone XS

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Best-in-class performance
Excellent cameras
Superb display
Dual SIM support is finally an option
Regular, timely software updates

Bad
Expensive
Dual SIM support is limited
First-party apps not great in India
Fast charger not bundled

Read detailed Apple iPhone XS review

iPhone 11 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Display 5.80-inch

Processor Apple A13 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 4GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 3046mAh

OS iOS 13

Resolution 1125x2436 pixels

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A17 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Further reading: iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone, Apple

David Delima

Email David Delima

As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via... more »