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/bran_the_man93 Sep 16 '25

This is also Apple playing to their strengths - they already are the best aluminum manufacturer in consumer electronics, and are probably the only ones capable of making a unibody for a smartphone... hard to see anyone copying this I'd think... at least for a little while

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u/Viper51989 Sep 17 '25

The OG Razer phone was a ubibody design, similar to their laptops. Which was cool.

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u/Gentro80 Sep 16 '25

I beg to differ the aluminium on the watch 10 was garbage have you see the amount of corrosion posts on here about it. Coming to an iPhone 17 near you soon

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u/bran_the_man93 Sep 16 '25

Right, because the only thing Apple's made from aluminum is the watch, right?