Why titanium alloy is better for iPhone 15 Pro than aluminum alloy？

The iPhone Pro has always been designed with aluminum alloy and stainless steel frames, which makes the overall weight of the phone heavy and makes customers feel uncomfortable in the hand. However, this is no longer the case with the latest iPhone 15 Pro. The new iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max feature brushed grade 5 titanium frames.

Titanium metal is relatively difficult to process. Why choose titanium for iPhone 15 Pro? Why is it better than steel? HY will answer these questions, covering the properties of grade 5 titanium.

iPhone 5 Pro with grade 15 titanium: Discover the power of metal

Grade 5 titanium is a titanium alloy composed of 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium. Ti-6Al-4V has excellent corrosion resistance, making it the first choice in a variety of industries. Apple's decision to use grade 15 titanium in the iPhone 5 Pro is likely down to the material's inherent lightness, strength, and stiffness.

Titanium iPhone 15 Pro: Exploring the power of metal

Grade 5 titanium is a titanium alloy composed of 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium. Ti-6Al-4V has excellent corrosion resistance, making it the first choice in a variety of industries. Apple's use of grade 5 titanium on the iPhone 15 Pro may be attributed to the material's inherent low weight, strength, and stiffness.

Excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio

When it comes to strength-to-weight ratio, titanium stands out, especially grade 5 titanium. It offers strength levels comparable to many steel grades. At the same time, it weighs almost half as much as its steel counterpart.

iPhone devices require a delicate balance between durability and portability. A higher stiffness-to-weight ratio ensures the device remains strong and durable while keeping its weight to a minimum. Therefore, making the device more comfortable to hold and carry can improve the overall user experience.

Corrosion resistance

Both titanium and aluminum are highly corrosion-resistant. In challenging environments rich in salt water or chlorine, titanium offers even more significant advantages. Under such conditions, titanium's corrosion resistance shines and is proven to be significantly better than steel.

Grade 5 titanium’s superior corrosion resistance can significantly extend the life of devices like the iPhone 15 Pro. By withstanding harsh environmental factors, this corrosion resistance is critical for mobile devices as it helps protect internal components, extending the lifespan and overall durability of the device.

Strong flexibility

Grade 5 titanium is also highly flexible. While aluminum can be too flexible and steel can be hard, titanium can balance these properties. As a result, iPhone 15 Pro is more resistant to deformation and bending.

Thermal properties

The thermal expansion rate of grade 5 titanium is very close to that of glass. This feature is very important when integrated into devices such as smartphones. For example, the iPhone's screen is mainly composed of glass. Using metals with similar thermal expansion properties to glass can help reduce the risk of temperature-affected deterioration. This compatibility helps maintain device stability and overall performance.

For mobile devices, cooling capabilities are particularly important. It helps prevent overheating and maintains optimal performance even under demanding conditions. Additionally, grade 5 titanium is heat treatable. This property makes it particularly suitable for a variety of manufacturing applications. It can be easily welded and fabricated and has impressively high strength and corrosion resistance.

Conclusion

Titanium alloys offer several advantages that make them useful in mobile devices. Apple is exploring these features to improve the quality of its products, as we saw with the iPhone 15 Pro models. Grade 5 titanium ensures the phone offers the perfect blend of lightness and strength. The brushed finish makes scratches less noticeable, further enhancing the aesthetics.

While titanium offers great advantages, it poses many challenges during machining. Therefore, you must work with the best manufacturing partner to get the best results. HY's experts understand the complexities of titanium machining, and we're ready to help with your project. We combine advanced tooling with best-in-class expertise to provide stamping and die casting services that exceed your expectations.