Adam Kos Do you know which iPhone Apple gave a steel frame to first? Unsurprisingly, it was the iPhone X that redefined the iPhone line as such. Now here we have the iPhone 15 Pro, which says goodbye to steel and embraces titanium. But is it necessary to mourn the steel somehow?
After the iPhone X came the iPhone XS, 11 Pro (Max), 12 Pro (Max), 13 Pro (Max) and 14 Pro (Max), so it certainly cannot be said that this is a unique use of this material, even when it was always reserved for the higher ranks. iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and 12 mini, 13 and 13 mini, 14 and 14 Plus and iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have an aluminum frame.
iPhone 15 Pro
Apple Watch as the only true representative of steel
The fundamental ailment of steel is that it is heavy. However, the advantage is durability. Although aluminum is lighter, it suffers a lot from scratches. Then there is titanium, which, on the other hand, is really strong and durable and light at the same time, but again expensive. However, because Apple then brushes it, it has the added value of not sliding like perhaps unnecessarily polished steel. But you usually want to have the steel polished, because it creates a luxurious impression. It is not for nothing that it is the most used material in wristwatches. After all, you can still get the Apple Watch in a steel version today.
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However, you won't find much steel across Apple's portfolio. Aluminum clearly surpasses it, and it makes sense precisely with regard to weight, price and use itself. You definitely wouldn't want to carry a steel MacBook with you. If it was titanium, then its price would be artificially increased again. The only exception is perhaps the Mac Pro, for which Apple sells steel accessories, such as special wheels, which are also very well paid for.
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A new trend
Steel therefore has its justification for the Apple Watch, and it makes no sense to say goodbye to it. There is still a more affordable aluminum model, and an even more affordable version of the Apple Watch SE, and above them are the Apple Watch Ultra, so if it eventually came to that, we probably wouldn't cry here either. With iPhones, however, it seems that steel has definitely run out of steam, because there is not a single reason to return to it. The basic models will still be aluminum, because with them Apple needs to keep at least a reasonable price tag, which would grow unnecessarily with the use of this material.
iPhone 15 Pro Max
So if the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are the first titanium models, how long will this material last with us? Maybe still in the premium line, although of course we don't know what kind of new chassis might come in the future and if Apple will perhaps revive steel again with some puzzle. Some 5 years ahead, however, we could see titanium here year after year. By the way, those of you who haven't met a titanium iPhone yet, know that it's really very nice and you'll definitely hate steel the first time you get to know it. That it will then be a trend is also evident from current news, when even Samsung wants titanium for its Galaxy S24.
