When Apple introduced the iPhone 15 in 2023, the company ditched the stainless steel material it had used for its cases since the iPhone X series launched in 2017 in favor of titanium. Although Apple hasn’t directly explained why it stopped making iPhones with stainless steel frames, the press release for the iPhone 15 Pro models gave a pretty clear indication. According to this statement, “aerospace-grade titanium (is) strong yet lightweight to deliver the lightest Pro models Apple has ever made.” Obviously, weight was a major concern in 2023 as iPhone Pro models got heavier with each generation.
Stainless steel was an important part of Apple’s all-screen iPhone X design, with durability being a priority at the time. Apple explained the choice of material for the frame at the time by touting the durability of the glass on the front and back and the strong stainless steel band that surrounded the device to provide additional reinforcement. Apple changed the design of the iPhone three years later, replacing the curved edges of the iPhone Most recently, Apple ditched titanium with the release of the iPhone 17 Pro models, revealed in September 2025. This time, Apple prioritized cooling with its latest iPhone models, choosing aluminum for the all-new iPhone 17 Pro chassis, which features a built-in vapor chamber.
How heavy were stainless steel iPhones?
The 5.8-inch iPhone X weighed 6.14 ounces, compared to 5.22 ounces for the iPhone 8 released the same year. Pro models grew in 2020, with the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 Pro and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max weighing 6.6 ounces and 8.03 ounces, respectively. The iPhone 12 mini and the aluminum iPhone 12 were significantly lighter, at 4.76 ounces and 5.78 ounces. The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro were even heavier, at 7.20 ounces and 5.78 ounces, respectively. The Pro Max versions of these models weighed the same at 8.47 ounces.
For the iPhone 14 series, Apple had replaced the iPhone mini model with the iPhone Plus version. The standard iPhone 14 weighed 6.07 ounces, and the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus came in at 7.16 ounces. These numbers show how much heavier the Pro models were than the aluminum non-Pro models. A heavier device is more difficult to use because it can be tiring during prolonged use. This is why the move to titanium, and then aluminum, was a key development for the design of the iPhone.
The titanium iPhone 15 Pro models were significantly lighter, weighing 6.6 ounces and 7.81 ounces in 2023. These numbers were much closer to the non-Pro models than before, with the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus weighing 6.02 ounces and 7.09 ounces. In 2024, the iPhone 16 series brought slight weight increases for the 6.3-inch (7.03 ounce) iPhone 16 Pro and the 6.9-inch (7.81 ounce) iPhone 16 Pro Max, as Apple increased the size of the handsets compared to their predecessors. Larger phones also came with slightly larger batteries. The iPhone 16 (6.00 ounces) and iPhone 16 Plus (7.03 ounces) were in line with their predecessors.
Will Apple return to stainless steel?
The move from titanium to aluminum brought a new round of weight savings. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max weigh 7.27 ounces and 8.22 ounces, respectively. The standard iPhone 17 model is lighter, at 6.24 ounces, but the lightest member of Apple’s 2025 iPhone family is the ultra-thin iPhone Air (5.82 ounces), which is much thinner than other models. Additionally, the iPhone Air is the only iPhone in Apple’s 2025 lineup to feature a titanium frame.
Apple also stopped making stainless steel watches with the Apple Watch Series 10 releasing in 2024. The company explained at the time that the titanium Series 10 models were nearly 20% lighter than the Series 9 models with stainless steel cases. Apple hasn’t compromised on durability by replacing stainless steel with other materials, although some iPhone 17 Pro users have complained that aluminum is prone to scratches and dents if dropped, even with a case on.
That said, Apple is unlikely to return to stainless steel iPhone models in the foreseeable future. Instead, Apple appears likely to use aluminum in future iPhone Pro models as it continues to pursue lighter weights and better cooling. Future thinner iPhone models, like the iPhone Air 2 and the foldable iPhone, could feature titanium frames to improve durability, but these design choices are unconfirmed. The only stainless steel products Apple still sells are watch bands for Apple Watch, including the Milanese Loop and Link Bracelet. Incidentally, the AirTag battery cover is made of stainless steel, but this is a scenario where durability may trump any weight issues.
