Function over Form: From the Titanium Elegance of iPhone 16 Pro to the Aluminum Utility of iPhone 17 Pro

Apple recently introduced the new iPhone Air, crafted from polished titanium and the soft-touch glass familiar from earlier 16 Pro models, a device where form clearly rules over function, showcasing a jewelry-like premium finish.

This shift allowed Apple to redefine the Pro line, making it feel more genuinely “Pro.” The internal design has been completely re-engineered, with the main focus on improved thermal management. A newly implemented vapor chamber, combined with a forged aluminum unibody, dissipates heat far more efficiently. According to Apple, the aluminum alloy used in the iPhone 17 Pro offers up to 20× better thermal conductivity than the titanium alloy used in the iPhone 16 Pro.

The iPhone 16 Pro feels more premium in hand if you go caseless and don’t use it heavily. However, if you record and shoot a lot in the sun while keeping your phone in a case, the 17 Pro may have the edge, as the 16 Pro still overheats and dims its screen quickly, making it less usable in bright sunlight.

If you use your iPhone with a case, you won’t notice the loss of that “premium” feel as much, and you’ll welcome the larger battery, improved performance, and the new 4× 48-megapixel camera system. But if you prefer going caseless, the iPhone has lost a bit of its luxurious touch, shifting more toward being truly Pro.