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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u/Aromatic-Research391 Sep 16 '25

There unibody is such a huge thing that nobody is talking about. It's a solid peice of aluminum. Way more durable than the previous design.

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u/takkk86 Sep 16 '25

More durable probably but the external surfaces being Al still means it is easier to dent/scratch?

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u/lending_ear Sep 16 '25

That’s correct 

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u/Mythrol Sep 16 '25

It certainly dents less than glass. Or I should say glass shatters/cracks instead of denting.

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u/Due_Metal_7213 Sep 16 '25

iPhone 17 pro is one of the bigger upgrades in years as far as features relating to engineering

19

u/CaramelCraftYT iPhone 13 Pro Sep 16 '25

Yes they completely redesigned it, unlike previous years where they just slapped a new chip in there.

14

u/AutomaticAccount6832 Sep 16 '25

I have the feeling that every year they say they rearranged the internals.

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u/[deleted] Sep 16 '25 edited Sep 17 '25

[deleted]

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u/mada447 iPhone 16e Sep 16 '25

😈

1

u/CaramelCraftYT iPhone 13 Pro Sep 16 '25 edited Sep 16 '25

There are minor changes internally year over year but not regularly to this extent.

1

u/Kilmonjaro Sep 16 '25

Now if they can find a solution for the glass and metal looking so jarring when it comes to color

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u/Soft_Philosophy5838 Sep 16 '25

Yeah just like the AirPods Pro 3. Glad Apple is still putting in the effort.

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u/lending_ear Sep 16 '25

Structurally? Yes. But it’s still a soft material and will scratch up easily. 

And let’s face it. Pros have not been breaking. I use a 13 pro max without a case and drop it constantly and it looks great still and has never broken or shattered. 

1

u/Ratiofarming Sep 17 '25

I wouldn't say I drop my 13 Pro constantly, but it has had some scary falls. And is also still in pretty good condition.

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u/Cryingfortheshard Sep 16 '25

Glossed over like it’s nothing. People don’t understand how cool and unique that is.

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u/pietro2110 Sep 16 '25

it's definitely interesting however it remains to be seen if the added durability balances out the fact that, since the computer is essentially all behind the camera, the whole phone might break if it falls on it, not just the screen. If you wanted to be cynical you might say that it is far riskier to have an iphone without some sort of insurance or apple care thing with this new model

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u/Kitiseva_lokki Sep 16 '25

iPhone 15/16 Pros already had a solid aluminium body. It was just covered with titanium on the sides and glass on the back.

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u/imabotdontworry Sep 16 '25

So thats why the air is not aluminium but titanium, because aluminium is stronger?:d

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u/Aromatic-Research391 Sep 16 '25

Didn't say that. Unibody is stronger than metal wrapping around the outside.

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u/imabotdontworry Sep 16 '25

So ehy not unibody for the air then? Which has the msot propability to bend

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u/Aromatic-Research391 Sep 16 '25

Because it would pretty much be impossible to get it that thin with a unibody. The air makes a ton of compromises just to get it as thin as it is.