Other Anyone else want aluminium sides on the iPhone 13 Pro/Max?

[therealMasa]

Firstly, aluminium is actually three times more expensive than steel, so it's ironic stainless steel is reserved for the premium models. Aluminium is also lighter, which as iPhones grow bigger and thicker would keep the weight down.

Perhaps Apple feel the shiny stainless steel looks more premium, but I've always been more impressed with the anodized aluminium sides on iPhones. The stainless steel wasn't too bad on the rounded corners on the X/XS/11 Pro but on the new flat edges it turns into a disaster within seconds of handling your phone. It completely subverts the premium image that Apple is aiming for.

I've seen a lot consumers wishing for matte sides on the Pro & Pro Max models. Even matte steel would be better but I'd still take aluminium out of the two.

Is there any chance that Apple will use aluminium sides on the iPhone 13 Pro & Pro Max models or we stuck with steel?

 

[Closingracer]

-100% chance of this happening

 

[ghanwani]

They should never have used steel. Adds weight. Maybe they will go to titanium for the pro models in the future.

 

[StaceyMJ86]

Me personally if Apple switched to Aluminum sides on the Pro models, I would never purchase another Pro model. The Stainless Steel feel more premium in the hand than aluminum. Plus what they charge for the Pro models, I would never pay that for aluminum. My 12 Pro Max don’t feel any heavier than my XS Max. I’ve also switched from using bulky cases (stopped after X) to thin cases which don’t add any extra weight to my phone.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I wouldn't mind matte stainless steel... Aluminum wouldn't stop me from purchasing a 13 Pro Max but I do prefer the feel and look of stainless..

 

[therealMasa]

Plus what they charge for the Pro models, I would never pay that for aluminum.

Makes no sense when aluminium is a more premium material. You've fallen for marketing hype.

 

[macOS Lynx]

Makes no sense when aluminium is a more premium material. You've fallen for marketing hype.

Based on what?

Stainless Steel is stronger, less corrosive, less malleable, and while cost by weight aluminum is more expensive, cost by volume (the number that matters), steel is much more expensive.

not to mention part of something being premium is what society and culture dictate as premium, and the general consensus of society is that stainless steel is a more premium material than aluminum.

 

[StaceyMJ86]

Makes no sense when aluminium is a more premium material. You've fallen for marketing hype.

I have iPhones with aluminum sides and iPhones with stainless steel and the aluminum feels less premium compared to the stainless steel. To me it also looks better on an iPhone. Now to me for the Apple Watch it’s the same thing in regards to the aluminum and stainless steel.

 

[therealMasa]

Based on what?

Stainless Steel is stronger, less corrosive, less malleable, and while cost by weight aluminum is more expensive, cost by volume (the number that matters), steel is much more expensive.

not to mention part of something being premium is what society and culture dictate as premium, and the general consensus of society is that stainless steel is a more premium material than aluminum.

Aluminium has better thermal conductivity and dissipates heat faster than steel. Aluminium sides also don't like look a mushy mess within seconds of holding the phone.

Like I said, people fell for marketing hype and think the shinier the phone the more premium it must be.

 

[Closingracer]

Aluminium has better thermal conductivity and dissipates heat faster than steel. Aluminium sides also don't like look a mushy mess within seconds of holding the phone.

Like I said, people fell for marketing hype and think the shinier the phone the more premium it must be.

Then go buy an iPhone 12 and be done with it. I prefer steel

 

[FHoff]

Aluminium has better thermal conductivity and dissipates heat faster than steel. Aluminium sides also don't like look a mushy mess within seconds of holding the phone.

Like I said, people fell for marketing hype and think the shinier the phone the more premium it must be.

So you buy the aluminum models and I’ll stick to the stainless thanks.

 

[joelhinch]

Bring back iPhone 4’s brushed Stainless (or bring in brushed titanium)

 

[ghanwani]

I think it would have been good to do a poll on the question —

would you prefer aluminum or stainless steel on pro models?(yes/no)

To those saying “just buy the 12”, I think the point of this thread was wanting pro features like size/camera in aluminum.

It’s a legitimate question, but better answered by a poll. Because of the potential for fights, many people won’t post.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Door to door aluminum siding is a scam. I wouldn't get involved in that with your phone.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Me personally if Apple switched to Aluminum sides on the Pro models, I would never purchase another Pro model. The Stainless Steel feel more premium in the hand than aluminum. Plus what they charge for the Pro models, I would never pay that for aluminum. My 12 Pro Max don’t feel any heavier than my XS Max. I’ve also switched from using bulky cases (stopped after X) to thin cases which don’t add any extra weight to my phone.

So what gives you the perception that stainless steel is more premium than 7000 series aluminium? Marketing? You mention ‘for the price’ but on what basis is SS more expensive than aluminium?

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'm amazed that Pro phone users don't want the weight to get reduced.

I was playing with a friends 12 Pro Max the other day and - my god - it was literally like a patio paver

I would never even dream of carrying that brick around all the time.
No clue how you guys do it

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Like someone else stated, give me an iPhone 4, in the size of an iPhone 12 Pro Max, and there will be no trouble!
Back then, I used to roll with no case. Now, I would not be caught dead with a $1300 phone with no case. Ugh, I shiver at the thought...

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I work in an industry that consumes thousands of tonnes of both stainless steel and aluminium and when it comes to preferences on my devices i’ll opt for aluminium all day long. It’s just an all round better material on so many different levels. It’s light, strong, energy efficient and 100% recyclable.

When it comes to cost you’ll find medical grade stainless is roughly the same cost as 7000 series alloys. Apple market’s stainless as being more premium but really it’s just ‘shinier’ and you’re paying more because it takes slightly longer to machine and process. Apple’s marketing machine works a dream and here we have people promoting it without really knowing the background lol. Love it, and love the fact aluminium devices are priced lower

 

[therealMasa]

I think it would have been good to do a poll on the question —

would you prefer aluminum or stainless steel on pro models?(yes/no)

To those saying “just buy the 12”, I think the point of this thread was wanting pro features like size/camera in aluminum.

It’s a legitimate question, but better answered by a poll. Because of the potential for fights, many people won’t post.

I've added a poll now

 

[ghanwani]

I've added a poll now

Now you'll get a better view of preferences without arguments.

 

[ghanwani]

I work in an industry that consumes thousands of tonnes of both stainless steel and aluminium and when it comes to preferences on my devices i’ll opt for aluminium all day long. It’s just an all round better material on so many different levels. It’s light, strong, energy efficient and 100% recyclable.

When it comes to cost you’ll find medical grade stainless is roughly the same cost as 7000 series alloys. Apple market’s stainless as being more premium but really it’s just ‘shinier’ and you’re paying more because it takes slightly longer to machine and process. Apple’s marketing machine works a dream and here we have people promoting it without really knowing the background lol. Love it, and love the fact aluminium devices are priced lower

Since you work in the field -- what is the difference between medical grade and marine grade?

Since you mention recyclability in favor of aluminum -- is stainless steel not 100% recyclable?

 

[snipr125]

For me personally, purely based on aesthetics/feel and not taking into account costs of aluminium and steel:

Brushed Matte Stainless steel like the Iphone 4 > Matte Aluminium on the 12 and 12 mini > Polished Steel on the 12 Pro and Max.

Edit: I would put the steel rails, especially in Silver, on the X, XS and 11 Pro, equal or maybe slightly better than the the Matte Aluminium rails on the 12 and 12 mini.

I am just not a fan of the polished steel on the 12 Pros, they just look too chromy in my opinion (apart from the Graphite which is nice).

 

[Mr. Awesome]

Perhaps Apple feel the shiny stainless steel looks more premium, but I've always been more impressed with the anodized aluminium sides on iPhones.

Yeah, at least in the marketing shots, I think the edges of the 12 look way better than the 12 Pro.

 

[B_mark_R]

My vote is for titanium!

 

[Xak444]

isn’t steel stronger than aluminum