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This is how Apple plans to save the iPhone 17 Air from Bendgate 2.0

Apple appears to remembers how the iPhone 6 Plus used to bend.

By Ilia Temelkov

Published: Jul 15, 2025, 5:54 PM

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Apple iPhone

This is how Apple plans to save the iPhone 17 Air from Bendgate 2.0

Image credit — Majin Bu

The iPhone 17 Air might be the only iPhone 17 model to feature a titanium frame. The rest of the lineup, including the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, might have aluminum frames.

In a note to investors seen by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu claims the iPhone 17 Air will be the only new model to use titanium. That would be a baffling choice, considering how much Apple has invested in promoting the premium material for its Pro phones since the release of the iPhone 15 Pro.

At first sight, that would be a confusing choice for the iPhone 17 Air because titanium is a heavier material than aluminum. The idea of the super-slim device is to be as lightweight and thin as possible, so utilizing a heavier material doesn’t make sense.

Also read: iPhone 17 Air vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Style versus power

What material do you prefer for your smartphone?

Aluminum

22%

Titanium

54%

Stainless steel

18%

Plastic

Titanium is a stronger material than aluminum, though. Perhaps Apple still remembers the drama of the iPhone 6 Plus and the Bendgate scandal that followed its release. In that context, using titanium for the iPhone 17 Air’s ultra-thin chassis sounds like a great idea.

Samsung also uses titanium for the frame of the Galaxy S25 Edge. The super-slim flagship weighs 163 g, which is significantly lighter than the 190 g of the Galaxy S25 Plus, which has the same display size.

The bigger change would be the iPhone 17 Pro featuring an aluminum frame. Since the iPhone X, all Pro iPhones have had either stainless steel or titanium frames. How Apple would justify such a change might be one of the more interesting things to look for during the iPhone 17 premiere, which is expected in September.

Image credit — Fpt.

Aluminum frames were already rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models before. The iPhone 17 Air was claimed to feature a titanium-aluminum alloy, with a lower percentage of titanium.

I think this rumor makes sense, especially considering other rumors about the upcoming iPhones. One of the more interesting reports from recent days claimed the Pro models might finally get brighter colors, such as orange and dark blue. That would be much easier for Apple to achieve with an aluminum frame. As for the usual slew of muted colors, the iPhone 17 Airmight continue that tradition.

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Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.

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