iPhone 15 Pro and Grade 5 Titanium: A Detailed Overview

[jmgregory1]

The biggest question I have about the purported titanium iPhones is, how long can I go without using a case. Of course it’s a question directed at myself, not at Apple and their marketing team who will be selling the strength and lightweight of the titanium. I love the hand feel of titanium and always prefer how the iPhone feels without a case, but I’ve just not been willing to accept the scratching that occurs on the stainless or aluminum frames. With titanium products, I don’t typically have that same concern…my titanium watch has survived tons of abuse with zero scratches and I wear it 24/7.

 

[anthogag]

iPhone 16 Ultra will contain significant amounts of unobtanium. 🤣

 

[xgman]

It seems ridiculous to have to choose just one light color to avoid paint chipping. Bad design then. We're going backwards.

 

[corinthos]

No sale until Tim Cook decides to use Vibranium. iPhone 14 Pro Max Forever!

 

[Pavelpod]

Is there a material scientist who can explain this. The explanation in the article doesn’t make sense. Lightness is not the opposite of stiffness or resistance to denting. What are the trade off with titanium?

Ti grade 5 is ca 2 times harder in comparison to 316 stainless steel used on 14 Pro. Harder means more scratch resistant. The article is wrong.

 

[xgman]

so the black watch will paint chip too?

 

[TVreporter]

Great my new phone won't rust! Thanks Tim for the price hike!

 

[DarthDon]

Will it fold ?

From 5 tons, definitely.

 

[Bhy]

Whatever happened to LiquidMetal? It seems like such a huge competitive advantage. Is it pure marketing with no viable commercial substance?

The tech is being used in the hinges of folding phones for Samsung and Huawei.

 

[lazyrighteye]

I work with metals, including stainless and titanium. I’m having a great deal of difficulty in understanding why I’m reading that the lower de nsity of titanium results in more denting. That makes no sense. Denting is the result of several factors. The design of the part, the thickness of the part and the strength of the material. 316 stainless is not a very strong material, for examp,e. Several grades of aluminum, such as the 7075 Apple is using for the phones is actually stronger. But it’s also soft and can be scratched. Hard anodizing can minimize that, but it’s thin, if something exerts enough pressure it can scratch through the layer.

316 stainless is harder than aluminum and is harder to scratch. It doesn’t dent as easily because it’s harder, though not as strong. Grade 5 titanium is stronger than 316 stainless and harder as well. But both that and 316 scratch. Apple’s diamond-like coatings are extremely hard and don’t scratch easily. You can coat both stainless and titanium with it. That would be very nice.

Ooh, thanks for chiming in with some expert perspective!

I don't work with those materials, but have been reading a lot, of late (these forums can keep one on their toes). The earlier comment about titanium denting, threw me for a loop. I've worn a titanium wedding band for 20 years. I'm a drummer, artist, parent - work a lot with many hands. While the band does have some light micro scratches, there is nothing close to a dent or even a knick. Now, if it were anodized, I would assume it would optically look much more scratched up. But in its natural state, the mico scratches are virtually imperceptible. Anyway, my understanding is that while almost 2/3 heavier than aluminum, titanium's inherent strength means you need a fraction of it to get the same physical strength you would with aluminum. Thus, less material = less weight without sacrificing strength. Yes?

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

The iPhone 15 Pro Max will be 19 grams lighter! This is due to the titanium metal 😍

 

[lazyrighteye]

Whatever happened to LiquidMetal? It seems like such a huge competitive advantage. Is it pure marketing with no viable commercial substance?

As far as I know, they have only used LiquidMetal for those little SIM tray removal tools.* I can only assume LM's weight-to-strength ratio is not comparable to the other materials they've been leveraging.



* Anyone remember back in the day, when every Mac user carried a paper clip around with them in case they needed to eject a stuck floppy, Zip or CD? 😂

 

[DarthDon]

It may not. I’m hoping it’s going to have that brushed finish like the one below.

View attachment 2258490

Imagine would finally do something against that incredible cam-bump on the back. Growing year by year - it looks now like my cheap cam from 2002...

 

[lazyrighteye]

The iPhone 15 Pro Max will be 19 grams lighter! This is due to the titanium metal 😍

View attachment 2258526

All while being 0.4 mm thicker!

Guys, titanium is a big deal. Maybe not big enough for you or to justify an upgrade. That's fine. But from a materials benefits perspective, it's big.

 

[VineRider]

4 nickels is 20 grams. I am not sure this weight reduction will be that noticeable.

 

[Lakersfan74]

Titanium + USB-C + 3nm + Periscope + Thinner Bezels + (Last Year's Price + $100)

Action button too. If it’s thunderbolt, it’s even better deal to me.

Those questioning the price hike, you can’t afford it, so don’t buy one

 

[RandomTox]

Prepare for peeling skin on your fingers if used without a cover. Many people are allergic to aluminium and/or titanium. Go for carbon instead

 

[DarthDon]

The iPhone 15 Pro Max will be 19 grams lighter! This is due to the titanium metal 😍

View attachment 2258526

October 2023 - stevie crawled out of his grave and kicked tim in his **. October 2024: Iphone Ultra is now completely flat at the back. At the back it has a second display for selfies, so you can save the front one. Front, sides and back are now made of gorilla glass. Iphone Ultra can now be connected to a display via cable and wireless.

 

[truevector]

Prepare for peeling skin on your fingers if used without a cover. Many people are allergic to aluminium and/or titanium. Go for carbon instead

Allergies to Titanium are *very* uncommon.

 

[imtoretto]

Man, i can't believe that people are so excited for a boring phone, way over price, paying for a device that does not longer innovate, a boring keynote that we all know what Apple is going to announce base on all the leaks.
i bought an iphone 14PM with a tremendous Expectation and in return a got a huge dissapoinment of the camera.
it took for me to buy a 14PM to realized that, shame on me.
go head people, go waste your money and make Warren buffet Richer.

 

[MiamiFL]

I wish they would make a Gold or Starlight color option! I prefer warmer colors. Something like the Apple Watch Ultra!

Yeah getting rid of gold was a huge mistake

 

[5105973]

Prepare for peeling skin on your fingers if used without a cover. Many people are allergic to aluminium and/or titanium. Go for carbon instead

I thought Titanium is used in medical implants because it’s one of the metals that’s strong enough for the job and because people don’t react to it.

 

[5105973]

Man, i can't believe that people are so excited for a boring phone, way over price, paying for a device that does not longer innovate, a boring keynote that we all know what Apple is going to announce base on all the leaks.
i bought an iphone 14PM with a tremendous Expectation and in return a got a huge dissapoinment of the camera.
it took for me to buy a 14PM to realized that, shame on me.
go head people, go waste your money and make Warren buffet Richer.

Okay. If you insist.

 

[jbjarko]

Man, i can't believe that people are so excited for a boring phone, way over price, paying for a device that does not longer innovate, a boring keynote that we all know what Apple is going to announce base on all the leaks.
i bought an iphone 14PM with a tremendous Expectation and in return a got a huge dissapoinment of the camera.
it took for me to buy a 14PM to realized that, shame on me.
go head people, go waste your money and make Warren buffet Richer.

Cool story, I'll spend my money how I see fit.

 

[MiamiFL]

Allergies to Titanium are *very* uncommon.

Yeah like 0.6% of the population.