Samsung’s latest flagship, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, shares a titanium frame feature with its competitor, the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Titanium is indeed a fascinating and durable metal, known for its strength, lightweight properties, and resistance to corrosion. The fact that both Samsung and Apple have incorporated titanium into their flagship models, even if they use different grades, showcases the appeal of this premium material in the world of smartphones.
Titanium stands out for its remarkable strength, lightweight nature, and resistance to corrosion, making it a premium choice for smartphone construction. The utilization of titanium, whether Grade 2 or Grade 5, adds a sense of sophistication and durability to these top-tier devices.
However, recent insights from the JerryRigEverything channel, known for rigorous smartphone durability assessments, have exposed a notable difference in the quality of titanium used in Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Through a detailed examination with a specialized machine for analyzing metal properties, it was revealed that the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s titanium is categorized as “Grade 2.” In Japan, Grade 2 titanium is referred to as “pure titanium,” while Grade 5 titanium is labeled as “titanium alloy.”
Essentially, the Galaxy S24 Ultra incorporates a lower-quality titanium compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Noteworthy is the fact that Grade 2 titanium is purely composed of titanium, whereas Grade 5 is an alloy incorporating aluminum and vanadium (6% aluminum and 4% vanadium, also known as Ti 6Al-4V). Grade 5, renowned for its heightened hardness, is typically found in higher-end manufacturing, while Grade 2 may be chosen for more budget-friendly options.
Beyond the quality distinction, cost considerations also play a role. Titanium alloy, like Grade 5, is reported to be 3 to 4 times more expensive than pure titanium (Grade 2). The estimated cost of the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s titanium falls between 3 to 5 dollars, in contrast to the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s titanium, valued at approximately 10 to 15 dollars.
While Grade 2 Titanium offers superior resistance to corrosion but is less robust than Grade 5, the reasons behind this material choice, beyond cost, remain intriguing.
Manufacturers make decisions based on various factors such as strength, flexibility, weight, and cost when selecting a specific grade of titanium. Witnessing how advancements in materials and manufacturing contribute to the overall quality and durability of our everyday devices is always intriguing.
