3 min readMay 21, 2026 04:19 PM IST Apple may not be done with titanium just yet. According to a new leak from Weibo tipster Instant Digital, the company is reportedly researching improved titanium materials for future iPhone models after recently shifting back to aluminium designs. Apple first introduced titanium with the iPhone 15 Pro lineup in 2023, positioning the material as a premium feature for its Pro smartphones. Titanium replaced stainless steel, helping reduce weight while maintaining durability, and quickly became one of the defining design changes for the Pro series. However, Apple reportedly moved away from titanium with the iPhone 17 Pro, instead using an aluminium-based chassis. Reports suggested that thermal performance and heat dissipation played a major role in the decision, as aluminium conducts heat more efficiently than titanium. Apple reportedly sees aluminium as a compromise According to the leak by the 9to5Mac website, Apple still views titanium as a superior premium material and considers the shift to aluminium a “forced compromise”. The company is now said to be exploring a revised …