William Gallagher
Apple is believed to be sticking with titanium for the forthcoming iPhone 16 Pro, but a new leak claims that an improved manufacturing process will give it a more polished look.
Following reports that the iPhone 16 Pro lineup will see a change in colors, a new leak reports that the finish on each of the colors will look different. According to leaker "yeux1122," Apple is introducing a new production method for its titanium chassis.
"Unlike the 15 Pro models, the iPhone 16 Pro models are said to have a method with improved titanium processing and color processing," writes the leaker on a blog. "Therefore, there is a possibility that it will be changed to a more polished material, if not an external scratch [resistant one]."
There is no further detail, and of course no further source listed. Apple could, then, have made improvements that have nothing to do with the titanium's finish, such as production line changes for speed or efficiency.
However, if it's correct that the change will be a visible one, the claim is that the current iPhone 15 Pro's brushed titanium look will be replaced by a smoother, even glossy one. It's possible that it will resemble the more polished stainless steel that Apple has used previously.
Stainless steel is more prone to scratching, though, whereas a polished titanium chassis should be more scratch-resistant than even the iPhone 15 Pro.
Leaker "yeux1122" has a hit or miss track record with hardware reports.
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
6 Comments
I’d be interested to see why you say the titanium would be more scratch resistant than stainless steel, which is usually harder and in my experience less prone to scratching. I did a little googling just now, and everything I found supported my understanding.
It's very important to have a polished look...inside a case.
PLEASE APPLE DO NOT DO THIS!!!!
One of the favorite features of my 15 Pro Max is the BRUSHED case which doesn't fingerprint as easily as did the polished stainless steel of my 14 Pro.