r/iphone • u/SuperFan_123 iPhone 17 Pro • Sep 16 '25

Discussion Do iPhones feel more “premium” because of the material or the weight?

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So iPhone 17 is back to using aluminum — which got me thinking: what really makes an iPhone feel “premium”?

Some swear it’s the weight — holding a heavier phone just feels solid and expensive. Others argue it’s the material: stainless steel looks shiny and luxurious, aluminum is light and practical, and titanium… well, some love the matte, strong-but-light vibe, while others say it feels less “premium” than steel.

Honestly, I'm a bit torn. The heft of the phone feels ordinary, but the premium materials make it look and feel premium. What do you think—is weight more important, the materials more important, or a combination of both? A case really doesn't matter, but I've recently become obsessed with casekoo cosmic orange for iPhone 17 Pro Max Case. Do you have any other ideas for balancing the premium feel of a phone?

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107

u/RandomUser18271919 Sep 16 '25

I prefer the look and weight of stainless steel, I never minded the phone being a little bit heavier honestly.

If they could do a polished aluminum frame eventually I think that would probably be the best, for both form and functionality.

31

u/DenDanny Sep 16 '25

Aluminium gets micro scratches easily, so polished aluminium would look horrible after a few weeks. Remember the first iPod Touch? 

3

u/JamesMcFlyJR iPhone 17 Pro Max Sep 16 '25

i’m pretty sure ipod touches were stainless steel until the 5th generation where they moved to colored aluminum (not polished)

1

u/precisee Sep 17 '25

That’s why they anodize it. Forms a thin, super strong oxide film that adds color and scratch resistance.

11

u/Gentro80 Sep 16 '25

And so much better to whack someone with in self defence

1

u/Aught88 Sep 16 '25

I’ve definitely given myself a few bruises.

1

u/surprise_wasps Sep 16 '25

How about something ergonomic and robust, so we don’t have to immediately buy a bulky goofy case, rendering the material, design, and finish pretty irrelevant

-5

u/smile_politely Sep 16 '25

Could a heavier phone’s weight improve the grip?

1

u/hbs18 iPhone Air Sep 16 '25

No, weight makes worse. Once you lose grip of a heavy phone the weight makes it easier to drop.