iPhone 17 Air Might Boast a Premium Titanium Frame

For the past few iPhone generations, Apple has given the iPhone Pro and Pro Max models a titanium frame. However, if the latest rumors are to be believed, the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models might ditch titanium. But it seems that Apple still wants to use a titanium frame, except that it could go to the iPhone 17 Air.

iPhone 17 Air to feature titanium frame

This report comes from analyst Jeff Pu in a note with equity research firm GF Securities. According to Pu, he expects the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max to sport aluminum frames. This means that the iPhone 17 Air will be the only iPhone model in the 2025 lineup to sport a titanium frame.

There is the question of why Apple would go with titanium instead of aluminum for the iPhone 17 Air. Aluminum is lighter than titanium, which is what you might want for a phone as thin and sleek as the Air. However, at the same time, titanium is stronger than aluminum. Given how thin the iPhone 17 Air is, it might need a stronger frame if Apple wants to avoid another “bendgate” controversy.

Pu’s report echoes that of analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who last year said that the Air could feature a mix of both titanium and aluminum. Either way, we’ll have to wait and see when the new phones are announced later this year.

More Pro than we expected

If this report is true, the iPhone 17 Air is becoming more of a Pro model than we expected. Initial rumors suggested Apple might have to compromise on certain specs and features to maintain the phone’s thinness. However, recent reports suggest that it could sport more Pro features than we thought.

Aside from the titanium frame, the Air could come with 12GB of RAM. This is said to be the same as the Pro and Pro Max models. It is also rumored that it could pack the A19 Pro chipset. Once again, this is the chipset rumored to be reserved for Pro and Pro Max models. The base iPhone 17 could be powered by the regular A19 chipset.

Plus, we’ve also heard that the iPhone 17 Air could be the first iPhone to sport a silicon carbon battery. The rumors say battery life isn’t as good, though. However, it will still be the first iPhone to utilize newer battery technology.