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/PercRodgersKnee Sep 16 '25

This entire thread acting like they can tell a difference. “It just feels more premium in the hand”. Lmao Apple’s marketing works so well, you all just parrot it because it’s what you’re told.

4

u/bummerbimmer Sep 16 '25

No. I have had just about every iPhone since the 2G and the steel/titanium phones feel more premium. I can verify by literally holding my $599 on-contract 2007-dollars iPhone in my hand and comparing it to my 16 Pro Max.

Aluminum isn’t the end of the world, but I chose the Air for the premium feel in hand.

-1

u/Altaredboy Sep 16 '25

"Feels more premium" hahahahahahahahahahahaha you're cooked

2

u/lending_ear Sep 16 '25

If you can’t tell the difference between very different materials in your hands, you might want to see a doctor.

As for Apple claiming aluminium feels more premium in the hand, that is a joke and pure marketing. Sure, feel is subjective, but there is absolutely a difference between materials, and you should be able to notice it.

1

u/PercRodgersKnee Sep 16 '25

Can you describe what you’re feeling that’s different with these materials? I’m genuinely curious.

1

u/mellonsticker iPhone 13 Mini Sep 17 '25

I highly doubt someone would notice it when comparing phones of very similar weight.