The iPhone 17 Air might be the only model in Apple’s latest lineup to feature a titanium frame. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to stick with aluminum frames, marking a stark contrast. 
Analyst Jeff Pu revealed in a note to investors seen by MacRumors that the iPhone 17 Air would be the exclusive model to incorporate titanium, a decision that could seem odd given Apple’s recent focus on promoting the material for its Pro versions, starting with the iPhone 15 Pro.
At first glance, this seems like a baffling move. Titanium is a heavier material compared to aluminum, and the iPhone 17 Air is designed to be slim and lightweight. Using a denser material would seem counterproductive, but titanium has its advantages. While heavier, titanium is stronger than aluminum, which may be a nod to Apple’s painful history with the Bendgate controversy following the iPhone 6 Plus launch.
Using titanium for the iPhone 17 Air’s ultra-thin frame could be a way for Apple to avoid similar issues in the future. It’s also worth noting that Samsung has been using titanium for the frame of its Galaxy S25 Edge, which weighs 163g, noticeably lighter than the Galaxy S25 Plus at 190g, despite having the same screen size.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro’s rumored aluminum frame represents a bigger shift. Since the iPhone X, Pro models have always featured either stainless steel or titanium frames. How Apple explains this change will likely be one of the most intriguing aspects of the iPhone 17’s September debut. Earlier rumors suggested the Pro models might sport brighter colors like orange and dark blue, which would be easier to achieve with aluminum. The iPhone 17 Air, however, is expected to maintain its tradition of more muted hues.