One of the rumors about the next iPhone 15 Pro model is the use of titanium instead of steel. Starting with the iPhone X 6 years ago, Apple has been using steel frames for its flagship smartphones. This year, this concept may change, becoming, perhaps not the most visible, but one of the biggest changes in design over the years.

Currently, titanium is also used in the cases of Apple Watch “smart” watches. More precisely, again, in the Apple Watch Ultra top model. But in previous models, you could also choose a titanium case.

In addition to strength and practicality, such cases also helped to save some weight. The lightest models of watches are made of aluminum, while the heaviest were made of steel. Titanium was the “golden ratio” between these materials, offering, although not the lightest, but strong body.

For a visual comparison, this is how the weight of different Apple Watch Series 7 models looked:

Apple Watch 41 mm:
- Aluminium: 32 g
- Steel: 42.3 g
- Titanium: 37 g
Apple Watch 45 mm:
- Aluminium: 38.8 g
- Steel: 51.5 g
- Titanium: 45.1 g

Currently, there is only one titanium model — the Apple Watch Ultra. The novelty is much larger than the company’s usual watches (49 mm), and therefore weighs more than them – 61.3 grams. At the same time, the weight of other models of the Series 8 line almost did not change.

But the Series 7 does a good job of showing how the titanium body helps keep weight down. Given that the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max are significantly heavier than the lighter versions of the smartphone, the corresponding reduction in weight can improve the usability of the device.

On the other hand, the company could use it the other way around — by adding new, heavier components, like a new camera design and/or larger batteries. Thus, due to the use of titanium, it will be possible not only to maintain the current weight and strength of the case, but to improve other capabilities of new devices.

The weight comparison of current iPhone models is as follows:

iPhone 14: 172 g
iPhone 14 Plus: 203 g
iPhone 14 Pro: 206 g
iPhone 14 Pro Max: 240 g

An additional bonus from the transition to titanium will be a frame that will not be so easily covered in fingerprints and small scratches. Even under a protective cover, fine dust can slightly damage the mirrored steel surface (not to mention the number of scratches that will remain when using the smartphone without the cover), which in the case of titanium will not be a problem.