Once a darling material in the smartphone industry, titanium seems to be falling out of favor. Following Apple’s lead, Samsung may also abandon this premium material in its upcoming lineup.
Rumors are swirling that Samsung will ditch titanium for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, sparked by a leak revealing color options for the flagship device.
Ice Universe, a trusted source for Samsung leaks, claims the Galaxy S26 Ultra will come in Black Shadow, White Shadow, Galactic Blue, and Ultraviolet.
While new colors are standard for new models, the naming convention breaks from Samsung’s recent tradition. Previous Ultra models prominently featured “Titanium” in their color names.
For instance, the Galaxy S25 Ultra offered Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Silverblue, and Titanium Whitesilver, with additional titanium-themed exclusives on Samsung’s website.
Ice Universe highlights the shift: “Noticeably, these names no longer carry the ‘Titanium’ label,” they remarked. “Hence…”
If true, this marks the first time since the Galaxy S23 Ultra that Samsung would exclude titanium from its premium model, having switched from aluminum to titanium for the S24 Ultra.
Samsung wouldn’t be the first to phase out titanium. Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to revert to aluminum frames, reserving titanium for the iPhone Air.
What’s driving this sudden shift away from titanium?
iPhone Pro’s Titanium to Aluminum Shift in Two Years
Apple initially touted titanium as a breakthrough for the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023, emphasizing its “aerospace-grade durability and lightweight design” in its launch announcement.
Despite titanium being central to the iPhone 15 and 16 Pro’s branding, the iPhone 17 Pro’s return to aluminum has been quieter. However, this change is deliberate.
“Apple’s material choices are meticulously calculated; material science always involves trade-offs,” notes Avi Greengart of Techsponential.
“Cost is a factor, though decisions are made well in advance. While recent tariffs or inflation may seem relevant, the timeline doesn’t align.”
The shift likely stems from multiple factors, with performance enhancements for Apple’s premium models being key.
Recent iPhone Pros have faced overheating issues under heavy workloads. Apple aims to address this in the iPhone 17 Pro, introducing vapor chambers for better cooling.
Aluminum plays a crucial role here. It dissipates heat better than titanium and is lighter, helping Apple manage weight despite adding cooling components. The iPhone 17 Pro remains only slightly heavier than its predecessor.
The Cost Factor of Titanium
Cost remains a critical consideration. “Aluminum’s lower cost is advantageous,” Greengart adds. “It allows Apple to curb price increases.” Similarly, Samsung’s rumored changes may be cost-driven.
The Galaxy S26 launches amid rising component costs, particularly for memory. AI demand has strained RAM supply, pushing prices higher for smartphone manufacturers.
Samsung is reportedly struggling with pricing for its upcoming models. Reports suggest significant price hikes for the Galaxy S26 in Korea, though global pricing remains uncertain.
Like Apple, Samsung may have additional reasons to abandon titanium. Thinner, lighter designs are a priority, and aluminum frames could support this goal.
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