iPhone 16 Pro Models Could Feature New Polished Titanium Finish

Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models will use an improved process for finishing and coloring titanium, claims a new rumor out of Korea.

iPhone 15 Pro Cameras
According to news aggregator account "yeux1122" on the Naver blog, the new process will make the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ Max look more polished than the iPhone 15 Pro models, which have a brushed finish.

The improved manufacturing process will allegedly result in a glossy appearance that is more akin to the heavily polished stainless steel material used in previous Pro iPhones. However, the new titanium finish will be less prone to scratches compared to stainless steel.

The ‌‌brushed finish on ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ models‌‌ is considerably less reflective than the finish of previous Pro iPhones. It is less prone to fingerprints and also reduces scratch visibility. Apart from looks though, Apple's use of a titanium frame for its ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ devices also cut down the weight of the devices. The ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max are approximately nine percent lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro and ‌iPhone 14‌ Pro Max.

In addition, the titanium frame and aluminum substructure also provides better heat dissipation than any previous-generation Pro models with stainless steel frames, according to Apple.

A rumor earlier this week claimed that the ‌iPhone 16 Pro‌ models will come in new "space black" and "rose" titanium colors. The "rose" is a gold shade, while "space black" could replace the black titanium option. Apple is expected to release the iPhone 16 series in the fall.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16 Pro
Tag: Naver

Top Rated Comments

HeavenDynamic Avatar
2 days ago at 02:28 am
brushed > polished
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HeavenDynamic Avatar
2 days ago at 02:29 am

wow, people will use cases... so who cares
People that don’t use cases
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hal~9000 Avatar
2 days ago at 02:50 am
I thought it was either Dave2D or MKBHD one time trying to explain in a review why they thought Apple likes to go with polished edge design, even if most end users hate it:

They hypothesized that because in the press release photos, and CGI generated debut video where the iPhone is moving around by itself, it looks “cool” to the invited press when they see the light flashing against the polished edge for a few seconds. Kind of like little children that want to see a light show. Never mind that once you hold it on your hands for a few seconds the polished edge looks terrible with all the fingerprints and hand oil, if anything that can be a “bonus” to Apple in a way since it will push the customer to either buy cases directly from Apple or keeps the case manufacturers happy with additional sales.

Regardless of their theory, IMO a polished edge or back on a phone is garbage and looks really tacky. I hope they keep the brushed finish long term.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
2 days ago at 05:03 am
Are you kidding me? The brushed titanium look is one of the things I like the most about the iPhone 15 Pro series! I can't believe that they actually think going back to that overly shiny polished look is a good idea. I hated it.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iZac Avatar
2 days ago at 02:53 am
Personally I much prefer the brushed finish. But as a pedant I feel it's inelegant to weld a thin strip of titanium around an aluminium sub frame. It's just a literal veneer of 'premium' over something exactly the same internally.

I have a silly theory as to why they're returning to the polished finish though. Focus groups in China probably said they don't like it because it looks just like the 'cheap' aluminium iPhone. So Tim's reversing course because the tanking sales in that region.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
2 days ago at 02:55 am

wow, people will use cases... so who cares
According to Amazon, one of the best selling Apple cases for iPhone 15 Pro/Max is the clear MagSafe case.

People are returning FineWoven cases left, right, and center. Chassis color and finish matters for many users.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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