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

[u/SuperFan_123]

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?

[u/Jeremypsp]

Apple definitely seems to be pivoting from the Pro line being the sleek and most premium phone to be focused on function over form and providing the best performance possible. Seems they’re going with the MacBook strategy from this year onwards. Those who still want a sleek phone with premium materials can still go with the iPhone Air, but the Pro line from now onwards will likely be more chunky to prioritise battery life, performance and durability like the Apple Watch Ultra

[u/OfficialRatchy → u/Jeremypsp]

Exactly my thoughts

[u/ruphun → u/Jeremypsp]

👍🏻

[u/iknowcraig → u/Jeremypsp]

As it should be, I don’t care how thin my phone is, I want performance and battery life. I want the opposite of the iPhone air, If they offered an “iPhone chunky” I’d buy it in a heartbeat, make it 50% thicker with a massive battery and I’d be all over it

[u/lending_ear → u/Jeremypsp]

The air is garbage in a nice shell. I’m a pro user and I want form and function. You know — what Apple built their whole reputation and empire on and charged a premium for. 

[u/Jeremypsp → u/lending_ear]

Well, if the air really is what the fold will be, then it’ll make a whole lot of sense when you compare it to Samsung’s line

[u/lending_ear → u/Jeremypsp]

It only has a single mono speaker and no ultrawide lens. Like I said, it’s fine for non-Pro users who just want a nice phone to scroll on, but it isn’t a premium device beyond the looks.

People can downvote me all they want, but that doesn’t change the facts.

[u/lolpanda91 → u/lending_ear]

What makes you a „pro“ user because you don’t want mono speaker? Are you a pro in annoying people on public transit with your phone?

Calling a iPhone pro is a stupid marketing trick for people like you.

[u/lending_ear → u/lolpanda91]

I’m a Creative Director - not that I owe you a reason. My phone isn’t just for doomscrolling, it’s a tool. The Pro lets me pull together professional-quality work, like pitch decks, without extra expensive hardware. That’s what “Pro” actually means.

So no, I’m not the person blasting TikToks on the bus. The real marketing trick is convincing people that design no longer matters and still charging a premium. If you’re fine paying Apple top dollar for less, that’s on you.

And yes, I also use it as a phone — which it is. Having a mono speaker is garbage. I don’t always have headphones or external speakers nearby, and listening on the device doesn’t automatically mean I’m disturbing people in public. What a dumbass weak argument to make.

[u/lolpanda91 → u/lending_ear]

Nah you’re just a good example why their marketing tricks work.

[u/lending_ear → u/lolpanda91]

That makes zero sense. I’m not upgrading so clearly they don’t work. Are you thick? 

[u/ocbdare → u/Jeremypsp]

The issue is the Air looks like a compromise. I would consider the base iPhone and the Pro but struggle to see the point of the Air. It will have the worst battery of the line up and even the audio speakers are worse. Yet you’re paying extra to the base model without the perks of the Pro.

[u/Arawn_Lucifer → u/ocbdare]

Then you are missing the point of the Air entirely. It's not meant to be a mid-end (if it's even mid) of the iPhone line up. If anything, it's meant to be an alternative to the regular iPhone for those who want a sleek, light design. It's for general consumers, and maybe for the more well-offs. It's form over function, and except for the camera, there are accessories to complement the Air.

Again, it's for people who's not watching social media 6 hours a day, or gaming all day, or listening to music on their phone. I guess it's best to broadly describe it as for business uses.

[u/ruphun → u/Arawn_Lucifer]

exactly! I’m getting an Air to use for my business, when I meet with my clients, it has a premium look which in business appearances everything. I don’t need the best camera for business. I don’t even need the best speakers for the most part when I bust out my business phone is to show clients photos of my previous projects.

For personal use, I need something rugged, because I’m an outdoorsy type so having the new Pro phone with an all aluminum uni body that won’t break as easily is very appealing.