What’s the benefit?
It is stronger while being lighter than stainless steel (which the current iphone pro models use).
Aluminum is the third typical metal option (used e.g. in the regular iphones), which is lighter than both, but not as durable
AFAIK when using the same volume of material, magnesium is less dense but aluminum is stronger.
Okay. It’s lighter and stronger. But aluminium is already strong and light.
And titanium is probably costlier, right? For a product the size of my palm and a bit more, how much lighter do they expect to make it? Also what strength are they adding?
This is not a shot at you, but rather the companies. Because as far as I can tell, this will only make them more expensive, right?
Yes Titanium is more expensive. Also as already mentioned Aluminium is actually the lighter option. Titanium is just lighter compared to something like stainless steel.
It does have some advantages. Like you can get a nicer finish with it and it doesn’t easily scratch whereas I can see aluminium pick up some scratches.
Personally I put my phone in a case anyways so I wouldnt care much, as do most people I assume. Just as you I don’t see the need for it either, especially since it is more expensive.
But I guess those highend phones are not in a category where value matters and they are often seen as an accessory/status symbol. Because I imagine that >90% of people buying these phones would be served just as well by something like a Samsung A54 or pixel 6a/7a.
I guess it’s simply just a feature that can be marketed well as being a luxury. And companies are in need for that to justify higher prices. Slightly better cameras or screens just don’t sell phones, when last years model was already good.
However I can see it make more sense in applications like smartwatches, where you actually feel the material and use it without any case. There people might prefer one over the other. Either aluminium for the lower weight, or titanium/stainless steel for feel and the scratch resistance (which is a bigger threat there)
- sighs *
If only people bought only what they needed.
The last paragraph is absolutely correct. What even is the point of that beautiful material or the color or the finish, if I’m gonna cover it up with a more functional case. (Kickstand cases are kinda dope.)
Bad news
