The iPhone17 Pro series is expected to change the housing material from the iPhone16 Pro series titanium alloy to aluminum alloy.
The reasons why the titanium alloy housing used in the iPhone 15 Pro series are being discontinued in just two generations is mentioned due to the characteristics of the material.
Higher thermal conductivity than titanium alloys and stainless steel
Apple has chosen aluminum alloy as the housing material for its iPhone17 Pro series, which seems to be due to its higher thermal conductivity than titanium alloy.
Max Weinbach also highlights the thermal conductivity of aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, and stainless steel, but the aluminum alloys are overwhelmingly higher than titanium alloys and stainless steel.
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The cooling mechanism is also strengthened, and a vapor chamber is expected to be installed.
High thermal conductivity is also considered to be effective as a countermeasure against heat generation for the A19 Pro.
The iPhone 17 Pro series is expected to have a vapor chamber as a cooling mechanism, and when combined with an aluminum alloy housing, it can be expected to exhibit better heat dissipation performance than the combination of a graphite sheet and titanium alloy housing in the iPhone 16 Pro series.
The increased surface area of the metal housing also helps improve heat dissipation performance.
In addition, it has been reported that the iPhone 17 Pro series will be molded in addition to the side of the housing and internal frame, and the rear camera bumps will be molded in one piece, which will increase the surface area and improve heat dissipation performance in that respect.
For the iPhone X to iPhone16 Pro series, the rear panel, including the rear camera bump, is made of glass.
It has been reported that the part where glass is used in the iPhone 17 Pro series will be reduced to the part below the rear camera bump where the MagSafe charging mechanism is installed.
Is the abnormal heat generation in the iPhone 15 Pro series triggered the change in materials?
Although the main cause was the compatibility between iOS and specific apps, the performance degradation (thermal throttling) of the A17 Pro due to abnormal heat generated when the iPhone 15 Pro series was first introduced by users, may have been the trigger for Apple to dramatically improve heat dissipation performance in the iPhone 17 Pro series.
It looks like @markgurman is saying one of the reasons Apple is reverting to aluminum is the heat dissipation of it is better vs titanium
I thought this might be a problem 2 years ago. I mean just look at the thermal conductivity of each material! https://t.co/clE2lZsVaA pic.twitter.com/q35TtxPOc7
— Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach) September 5, 2025
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Source: iPhone Mania
