<\/p>\n While that’s a seemingly innocuous detail \u2014 new models introduce new colors all the time \u2014 it’s a stark contrast to the naming convention Samsung has used for recent Ultra colors. The Galaxy S25 Ultra<\/a>, for example, comes in Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Silverblue and Titanium Whitesilver options, along with three more titanium-themed colors available exclusively on Samsung’s website.<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n According to some leaks, the four basic color names of the Galaxy S26 Ultra are:Black ShadowWhite ShadowGalactial BlueUltravioietYou\u2019ll notice that these names are no longer labeled as \u201cTitanium ___.\u201dSo….January 3, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Ice Universe specifically calls out the difference between the Galaxy S25 Ultra color options and the rumored names for the S26 Ultra colors: “You\u2019ll notice that these names are no longer labeled as ‘Titanium,'” the leaker posts. “So…”<\/p>\n If titanium isn’t a part of the Galaxy S26 lineup, it will be the first time since the Galaxy S23 Ultra that Samsung hasn’t used the material on its premium phone, after switching from an aluminum frame to a titanium one for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Then again, Samsung won’t be the first phone maker to have dropped titanium from its most recent release.<\/p>\n Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro<\/a> and iPhone 17 Pro Max<\/a> both feature frames using an aluminum alloy rather than the titanium that had appeared in the previous two Pro releases. Apple still uses titanium, but only on its iPhone Air model.<\/p>\n Why the sudden shift from phone makers like Apple and, potentially, Samsung? Several factors could be at play.<\/p>\n iPhone Pro: From titanium to aluminum in two years<\/p>\n \n iPhone 17 Pro Max (Image credit: Tom’s Guide)<\/p>\n Certainly, the addition of aluminum to the iPhone 15 Pro models was treated as a big deal by Apple when it launched those phones in 2023. In fact, the “aerospace-grade titanium that\u2019s strong yet lightweight” is mentioned in the very first sentence of Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n After making titanium a central part of its Pro phones’ identity for both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 releases \u2014 like Samsung, Apple included the word “titanium” in the color descriptions for its phones \u2014 the iPhone 17 Pro models introduced their aluminum alloy frames with far less fanfare.<\/p>\n What may seem like an arbitrary switch, though, is anything but. “Apple chooses materials with great deliberation: materials science always involves trade-offs,” said Avi Greengart, lead analyst at Techsponential. “Cost is a factor, too, though these decisions are made so far in advance that while it may look like Apple is trying to react to recent tariff policies or inflation, that isn’t actually how the timeline works.”<\/p>\n You may like<\/p>\n “Apple chooses materials with great deliberation: materials science always involves tradeoffs.”<\/p>\n \u2014 Avi Greengart, Techsponential<\/p>\n In other words, if you’re looking for a reason why titanium isn’t a part of the iPhone Pro lineup any more, it likely comes down to a number of factors. And a big reason might have to do with improving performance for Apple’s premium phones.<\/p>\n While the iPhone Pro generally ranks among the best phones<\/a> available in any given year, recent models had suffered from issues involving overheating when the phone’s chipset was taxed with heavy performance demands. Apple clearly wanted to address that issue with the iPhone 17 Pro releases, going so far as to add a vapor cooling chamber to its phones<\/a> for the first time.<\/p>\n Aluminum frames play a part in that, too. As a material, it’s better at dissipating heat than titanium. It’s also lighter than titanium, which Apple likely viewed as a bonus for keeping the weight of its new phones from spiking upward despite added components like a vapor chamber. The iPhone 17 Pro models are only fractionally heavier than their iPhone 16 counterparts.<\/p>\n The price of titanium<\/p>\n \n Galaxy S26 Ultra render (Image credit: SmartPrix)<\/p>\n Still, price remains a factor when it comes to which materials device makers pick. “It helps that aluminum is less expensive,” Greengart agreed. “That allowed Apple to rein in pricing.” And when it comes to rumored Galaxy S26 Ultra changes, it’s natural to wonder if price is playing a role in what Samsung decides to do.<\/p>\n The Galaxy S26<\/a> release is coming at a time of rising component costs, particularly when it comes to memory. The AI boom has created a demand for memory chips that’s left smartphone makers with a limited supply of RAM and higher prices.<\/p>\n As a result, Samsung is reportedly struggling to set a price<\/a> for its upcoming models, with the latest report claiming that a price increase looks like it’s on tap for the Galaxy S26 models<\/a> in South Korea. Whether that affects pricing in other regions like the U.S. or U.K. remains to be seen.<\/p>\n Still, like Apple, Samsung could have other reasons for dropping titanium from the Ultra lineup, if that’s what’s actually going to happen with the S26 release. Making lighter, thinner phones has been a priority for Samsung as of late, and a switch to an aluminum frame could help in that regard.<\/p>\n Galaxy S26 Ultra outlook<\/p>\n Nothing’s official on the Galaxy S26 lineup, yet \u2014 not the price or the materials Samsung plans to use. And it won’t be until there’s a Galaxy Unpacked event, which is rumored to be taking place next month<\/a>.<\/p>\n But based on the moves Apple’s already made and the likely changes coming to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, titanium’s time in the smartphone spotlight may be over. And lots of factors seem to have contributed to its hasty exit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \n <\/a><\/p>\n Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News<\/a> and add us as a preferred source<\/a> to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. <\/p>\n More from Tom’s Guide<\/p>\n Today’s best Apple AirPods Pro 3 deals<\/p>\n![\"iPhone](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AgvijeuobTzb9b6jubGVfZ.jpg\")
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