- According to supply chain analyst Jeff Pu, the iPhone 17 Pro may switch back to an aluminum frame.
- This change is reportedly due to environmental concerns and Apple’s carbon neutrality goals.
- Thus, the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max could feature aluminum frames, while the 17 Air could use a mix of titanium and aluminum.
Apple made a big deal about switching to titanium with the iPhone 15 Pro series, swapping out stainless steel as the frame material. Stainless steel, albeit strong and durable, was very heavy, so the switch to titanium in the mid-frame of the iPhone 15 Pro series was a welcome move. A new report suggests that we’re now on our way back to an aluminum frame for the iPhone 17 Pro, marking a full circle for Apple as it gets off the titanium hype train.
An investor note from Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu (via Macrumors) suggests that the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will all have aluminum frames. Pu says that Apple’s plan to use aluminum for the iPhone 17 Pro is due to environmental concerns, as aluminum generally has a lower carbon footprint compared to titanium. Apple aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its products and supply chain by 2030, so this move becomes necessary. Pu says that some iPhone 17 models could thus be advertised as Apple’s first carbon-neutral iPhones.