Apple debuted titanium in the iPhone lineup in a big way back in 2023, then this year reversed course. iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max now use aluminum instead, leaving just one of four models with titanium. But rumors indicate next year’s iPhone lineup will bring more titanium yet again.
iPhone lineup next fall may have titanium in half the models
After years of consistency, this year the iPhone lineup got shaken up. A new iPhone Air replaced the Plus model and posed a purchase dilemma for lots of typical Pro users—myself included.
Next year though, Apple has even bigger changes coming.
Rumors indicate next year’s iPhone lineup will include four models:
iPhone Air 2
iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone Fold / iPhone Ultra
You’ll notice there’s no base model iPhone 18 mentioned above. Apple reportedly plans to push it into the following spring to avoid overcrowding the fall lineup.
Beyond the lack of a base model, and the new ultra-premium foldable iPhone, next fall’s iPhone lineup will have another notable change: titanium will be more common.
Rumors indicate we’ll get two titanium models next year: iPhone Air 2 and the new iPhone Fold/Ultra.
The past two years, titanium has been a key differentiator of Apple’s Pro model iPhones. Both the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro made titanium a tentpole feature.
But this year, Apple switched iPhone 17 Pro to aluminum instead, while launching iPhone Air with a titanium design.
Titanium’s comeback next year will center on the new foldable iPhone, which will join iPhone Air 2 in the titanium camp.
Since the base model is getting pushed out of the fall lineup, this means half of Apple’s new iPhones next fall will once again use titanium—just like it did until very recently.
Before, the Pro and Pro Max were the only models with titanium. But next fall, curiously, they’ll be the only new models without it.
Does titanium in an iPhone design make a difference at all to you? Let us know in the comments.
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