The iPhone 17 Pro might bring back a design element fans haven’t seen in nearly a decade – a metal back. According to leaked images allegedly from the production line, Apple could be ditching titanium in favor of an all-aluminum chassis for its upcoming Pro model. 
The leak, first shared on Korean site Naver by a supply chain insider known as “yuex1122,” appears to confirm earlier rumors that the titanium era may be over for the iPhone Pro lineup.
The images show a unibody frame wrapping around to the back, with precise cutouts for the camera array and MagSafe coils. This suggests Apple may replace the traditional glass back with a coated metal surface, marking a potential shift away from the glass-sandwich design that has dominated the industry since the iPhone 8 era. However, these could also be dummy units or molds, so nothing is guaranteed until the official reveal.
If true, the iPhone 17 Pro would be Apple’s first metal-back phone since the iPhone 7 series launched in 2016. The rumored September 9 event date aligns with Apple’s usual release cycle, with pre-orders expected on September 12 and general availability on September 19.
Metal-back pros and cons
Metal backs have strengths and weaknesses. On the plus side, aluminum is more durable than glass – it won’t shatter on impact, though it can dent or scratch. It feels solid in the hand and is an excellent heat conductor, potentially doubling as a heat sink for better cooling. However, without careful engineering, that same heat conductivity could make the phone uncomfortably warm during heavy use.
On the downside, aluminum can interfere with wireless charging, which is why manufacturers largely switched to glass. Google’s Pixel 5 solved this by cutting a section out of the chassis and covering it with polymer – a trick Apple could adopt. Aluminum also risks bending under stress, though modern aviation-grade alloys are far stronger than the materials used in older iPhones. Cost is another factor, as aluminum unibodies are typically pricier than glass constructions, and weight could increase depending on design choices.
Whether this leak signals a true design revival or just an early prototype remains to be seen. But if Apple does bring back metal, it could mark a bold return to a more rugged, heat-efficient iPhone era.