Other Thoughts on switch to titanium

[Fat_Guy]

Who cares at the end of the day, the majority of owners will chuck it in a case and forget about it

Ok, so maybe Apple could make a Pro phone with rubberized plastic sides but have an embossed lettering that says “iPhone integrated case: Titanium inside!” and have a tiny particle of Titanium inside to make it true. It will be much lighter and not dent and scratches will be no bother.



I add this to my other idea of a battery app that just has a static screen that says “battery health: 100%” - so people can forget about obsessing about battery health. Heck, I should work for Apple!



However, I predict the curved sides will bring all the case-less lovers to it until they drop it and see a big dent in the phone. The phone is still usable but I know this crowd. Fun time ahead on these forums!


And yes I know they say it’s hard to dent - so let’s say chunks fallen off…

 

[Spock]

Most people it seems had issues with that PowerBook's hinges. I did not. The hinges I had could have survived a nuclear blast and kept working.

My problem with the TiBook was that around 2011 or so, use of the Mac began to cause cracking in the top case. By the second logicboard replacement these cracks had gotten deeper and bigger. At the end, I started sending other MacRumors users parts off the Mac to replace parts on their TiBooks. At some point during disassembly, the top case just began to crumble away in my hands. The only parts not really affected were the screen (and hinges), the bottom pan and the frame.

I keep my old phones and my oldest iPhone is a 3GS. So, that's what, 15 years old? The TiBook started cracking and crumbling around 10 years in. I'd hate to have an iPhone 15 that started to crack and crumble at some point in 2033.

I'm hoping Apple does this differently.

Don't forget how bad the painted surfaces flaked. After a year of normal use, your $2600 notebook looked like an 86 Corolla.

 

[xxray]

I was really excited at first, but not as excited anymore. I'm looking forward to it being lighter and more durable. It'll also just be interesting to see since this is a material we've never had on an iPhone.

However, I think the stainless steel sides from the iPhone X through iPhone 14 Pro are prettier and more expensive looking. They're also way better for grip. Yes, the stainless steel is a fingerprint magnet, but I rather have fingerprints and be able to grip my phone than have that really slippery matte texture of aluminum on the iPhone 6 through 8 series or of titanium on the Apple Watch Ultra.

I'm also really disappointed that Apple's not doing a gold color. I kinda suspected it though since there were no rumors about gold, and I can't see gold looking that nice in titanium. I was never really interested in gold iPhones until the XS Max and 12 Pro, and I think it's because the glossy stainless steel finish is what makes it look so premium looking. I just don't know that it would look that good in gold

 

[Populus]

I haven’t read all three pages of the thread, but I wanted to share my thoughts on titanium:

1) The iPhone Pro needs a weight reduction, and not just 10 or 15 grams but at least 30-40 grams.

2) If the iPhone 15 Pro remains above 180g, which is already heavier than regular iPhone, I probably won’t buy it.

 

[HouseLannister]

If the iPhone 15 Pro remains above 180g, which is already heavier than regular iPhone, I probably won’t buy it.

That’s not going to happen. Titanium weighs less than steel, but more than aluminum.

 

[Populus]

That’s not going to happen. Titanium weighs less than steel, but more than aluminum.

Yeah, I'm aware of it, that's why I'm willing to stretch up to 185g maybe?
Anyways, more than the weight, which can fluctuate between 185 and 190g (the regular aluminum iPhones weight aroud 175g, for reference) the key factor in my opinion is the feel in the hand. That's what's most conclusive. We'll see.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Why would someone rely solely on AppleCare using no case at all

Because cases are ugly, bulky, and sticky. And that’s the “good” ones.

 

[vinegarshots]

You can’t put a car somewhere it can drop accidentally to the ground can you?

When I put my car in my pocket, I sure put it in a case so it doesn’t slip when I pull it out again…
Jeez, your comparison isn’t even is like apples to broccoli at best

I still don't understand your guys' logic. People buy insurance for their valuables because sometimes unexpected stuff happens that breaks/destroys those valuables. Every time you drive your car, you run the risk of someone smashing into it...so what do you do to protect it? You insure it. You don't stop driving it because it might get smashed.

A case on a phone is a worse experience. It's heavier, thicker, and covers up most of the phone's visual appeal. So if you're paying for AppleCare-- use it. That's what you're paying for. The peace of mind to use your phone as intended.

 

[jz0309]

I still don't understand your guys' logic. People buy insurance for their valuables because sometimes unexpected stuff happens that breaks/destroys those valuables. Every time you drive your car, you run the risk of someone smashing into it...so what do you do to protect it? You insure it. You don't stop driving it because it might get smashed.

A case on a phone is a worse experience. It's heavier, thicker, and covers up most of the phone's visual appeal. So if you're paying for AppleCare-- use it. That's what you're paying for. The peace of mind to use your phone as intended.

Well, insurance for cars is NOT optional…

But rest assured, I use a case AND have AC+

 

[jz0309]

Because cases are ugly, bulky, and sticky. And that’s the “good” ones.

You’re entitled to your opinion… a case, for me, has the purpose of being able to hold the phone firmly vs it being slippery…

 

[jz0309]

I haven’t read all three pages of the thread, but I wanted to share my thoughts on titanium:

1) The iPhone Pro needs a weight reduction, and not just 10 or 15 grams but at least 30-40 grams.

So, asked this question before - how much does the actual steel frame on the current iPhone weigh?
I’ve never taken an iPhone apart so don’t have a good idea, but, I am pretty certain that the battery, the populated PCB board, the back glass m weigh at least the same if not more than the frame…

Weight reduction in your order of magnitude is just not going to happen… and if, it would definitely mean a smaller battery

Edited to add this rumor about weight of the 15 models:

iPhone 15 Pro weight just tipped by leaker — titanium makes a difference

Look for the new phones to weigh half-an-ounce less than their predecessors

www.tomsguide.com

 

[AppleTech22]

I’m looking forward to it from a novelty perspective, but I’ve never been bothered by the weight of my iPhone 12 Pro Max. And while I liked using my phone sans case and enjoyed the natural stainless steel’s reflective qualities, it didn’t hold up quite as well as the stainless on my Apple Watch.

I’m curious to see what other design differentiators Apple has up its sleeve. For example, will Apple also change the camera lens rings to match the colored frame? Will the device feel more rounded and organic like some of the earlier iPhones? Iconic orange action button?

Not sure if the Max is different but as someone who upgrades yearly, the 12 Pro feels like a feather compared to my 14 Pro. These are starting to get heavy for sure and I’m hoping the titanium switch will noticeably help cut weight.

 

[5105973]

Yikes. My TiBook had no issues at all, at least with its case and hinges. It was as solid the day the motherboard died as it was the day I had bought it, many years before. Maybe a very slight discoloration.

I wonder why yours was so weak. Titanium is pretty strong stuff.

Good God I hope titanium is strong. It’s holding my front tooth together after an unfortunate gym class accident 40 years ago. Although I think the original piece got replaced 20 years ago. Hearing stories of crumbling titanium is giving me the heebie jeebies. 😵‍💫

 

[jz0309]

Good God I hope titanium is strong. It’s holding my front tooth together after an unfortunate gym class accident 40 years ago. Although I think the original piece got replaced 20 years ago. Hearing stories of crumbling titanium is giving me the heebie jeebies. 😵‍💫

Well, I have a titanium rod in my left femur for just over 10 years now, no issues thus far

 

[JapanApple]

Most titanium consumer-based products are melted, molded, and formed into a shape. because it's cheaper than forged from a solid piece (expensive). Titanium when (melted) molded is breakable unlike it crafted from a signal piece.

 

[kp98077]

I am glad to see stainless gone, we are not in the operating room! The phone NEEDS to beep more comfortable and lighter. I think they will talk up the comfort of the new phone more. It will not be much lighter (maybe 5%) so rather insignificant if I project correctly. I will be super glad to get rid of the "shinny" look, much prefer muted and baseless. I have gone this cycle from max to pro and have been pretty happy with the pro size and most importantly, portability.

 

[Fat_Guy]

Well, I have a titanium rod in my left femur for just over 10 years now, no issues thus far

Look, this will all come down to how much quality Apple puts into the product.


I suggest you look at last titanium products from Apple and other claims that while legal, point to a lower cost version. So while we rant about how much better titanium is in such and such a case, me thinks an iPhone frame will get less quality control and manufacturing than your rod in your femur. As it should be, but I’m still miffed with their “so called” synthetic sapphire lens covers just being legally synthetic sapphire and so on.



I would love a quality titanium frame that did not scratch, corrode or crumble, but I just can’t see it being better than stainless steel. I hope I’m wrong and if Canada gets another iPhone with a sim tray I’m on board - but I’ve been burned before with Apple. Whatever happened to the liquid metal in iPhones from years ago, that was something to talk about…

 

[Momof2.1107]

Do folks still put cases on new iPhones? The phones have not needed cases for years.

Yup. I have a medical condition where I can fall, and I work a physically demanding job, so it’s imperative that I use a case. Even without those 2 things going against me, I rather have peace of mind, as I don’t want to spend time at the Apple Store to have my screen repaired or the device swapped out for an refurbished device.

 

[zakarhino]

I think I might end up liking the natural titanium look of the grey model a lot but I do like the look of the polished stainless steel. Weight improvements (even slight) will be worth it though.

 

[JapanApple]

You’re some interesting reading about titanium.https://blog.thepipingmart.com/metals/what-is-titanium-properties-uses-advantages/

 

[Fat_Guy]

Yup. I have a medical condition where I can fall, and I work a physically demanding job, so it’s imperative that I use a case. Even without those 2 things going against me, I rather have peace of mind, as I don’t want to spend time at the Apple Store to have my screen repaired or the device swapped out for an refurbished device.

I can’t help it! This titanium stuff is too much fun!


Yes, put a case on it but you best check out what happened to those that put a case on their Apple Watch Ultra! 🤣 The case scratched up the titanium edges where it rubbed. Now some call that polishing and you can try to scratch it back to matt if you do it with the grain.



I believe Apple uses T5 titanium on the Ultra and probably the iPhone just like in bikes where my experience has been. The tests they use for durability are not typical real world occurrences. Be warned, the casual knocking around of a watch on your wrist is not comparable to your iPhone flying from your hand onto concrete and then sliding for ten feet! I don’t know of any industry test like that. Concrete and asphalt have aggregates in the mix that are very hard. So we just wait and see. But my personal experience is that concrete and asphalt will not be kind to the titanium iPhone. It won’t get destroyed, but at this forum people look at scratches with a magnifier and then complain about it.



But I hope I am wrong…

 

[Dave245]

I still don't understand your guys' logic. People buy insurance for their valuables because sometimes unexpected stuff happens that breaks/destroys those valuables. Every time you drive your car, you run the risk of someone smashing into it...so what do you do to protect it? You insure it. You don't stop driving it because it might get smashed.

A case on a phone is a worse experience. It's heavier, thicker, and covers up most of the phone's visual appeal. So if you're paying for AppleCare-- use it. That's what you're paying for. The peace of mind to use your phone as intended.

This isn't even a comparable example, a car is a much bigger object that you drive and are in control of, insurance isn't optional and you don't carry it around in your pocket all day while you are at work, at the pub, at the pool, on holiday and so on.

I personally prefer to put my iPhone either in a clear case or the official Apple one, they hold up well in my opinion. I've never gone without a case, when I buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max, I will more than likely get a case (probably an official Apple one).

 

[HDFan]

Because cases are ugly, bulky, and sticky

It's heavier, thicker, and covers up most of the phone's visual appeal.

Guess you both have adhesive hands. A case-less phone will slip from my hand in minutes after picking it up. Sticky is good.

 

[Jamie0003]

Ok, so maybe Apple could make a Pro phone with rubberized plastic sides but have an embossed lettering that says “iPhone integrated case: Titanium inside!” and have a tiny particle of Titanium inside to make it true. It will be much lighter and not dent and scratches will be no bother.



I add this to my other idea of a battery app that just has a static screen that says “battery health: 100%” - so people can forget about obsessing about battery health. Heck, I should work for Apple!



However, I predict the curved sides will bring all the case-less lovers to it until they drop it and see a big dent in the phone. The phone is still usable but I know this crowd. Fun time ahead on these forums!


And yes I know they say it’s hard to dent - so let’s say chunks fallen off…

It’s pretty ridiculous. I remember that guy that lined up for like a week to be the first to get one of the earlier iPhones, and then preceded to immediately drop it and shatter the screen lmao

 

[Momof2.1107]

I can’t help it! This titanium stuff is too much fun!


Yes, put a case on it but you best check out what happened to those that put a case on their Apple Watch Ultra! 🤣 The case scratched up the titanium edges where it rubbed. Now some call that polishing and you can try to scratch it back to matt if you do it with the grain.



I believe Apple uses T5 titanium on the Ultra and probably the iPhone just like in bikes where my experience has been. The tests they use for durability are not typical real world occurrences. Be warned, the casual knocking around of a watch on your wrist is not comparable to your iPhone flying from your hand onto concrete and then sliding for ten feet! I don’t know of any industry test like that. Concrete and asphalt have aggregates in the mix that are very hard. So we just wait and see. But my personal experience is that concrete and asphalt will not be kind to the titanium iPhone. It won’t get destroyed, but at this forum people look at scratches with a magnifier and then complain about it.



But I hope I am wrong…

I used a glass screen protector on my Ultra and no case. I slipped and caught my fall hitting my Ultra on this concrete slab that stops cars from hitting the mail boxes at this apartment complex. The screen protector shattered and the screen was untouched. I would’ve hated to see what the screen would have looked like if I had not had a screen protector on it.