American video creator Zach Nelson, known to viewers as JerryRigEverything, explores the material science behind two flagship smartphones by examining the titanium alloys used in their construction. The focus is on the protective and structural side frames that influence both durability and weight, comparing the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The investigation delves into how each manufacturer specifies and integrates titanium into its design, moving beyond aesthetics to the practical implications for users and engineers alike.
In a detailed teardown, the creator disassembles the devices to reveal the underlying framework and the way titanium components relate to surrounding materials. He separates the metal side frames from their casings to assess thickness, fit, and how the titanium interacts with plastics and other alloys. The Galaxy S24 Ultra presents a profile that appears as slim as its iPhone counterpart, with a design that pairs titanium with carefully chosen plastic sections to optimize robustness without adding bulk. This structural approach highlights how thickness and material choices impact grip, rigidity, and tolerance during daily use.
To understand the metallurgy, the metal pieces from each device are subjected to controlled analysis. While the exact processes are not shown in every detail, the takeaway is clear: Samsung and Apple adopt different titanium solutions. The Galaxy S24 Ultra uses a Class 2 alloy with roughly 99 percent titanium content, aimed at delivering high strength with relatively low weight. By contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro Max employs a Class 5 alloy composed of around 90 percent titanium, with small but meaningful additions of aluminum and vanadium that influence edge wear resistance and future machining considerations. This diversity in alloy composition speaks to how each company prioritizes balance between stiffness, machinability, and long-term durability under everyday conditions.
Despite Galaxy’s purer titanium, the overall titanium volume inside each phone differs, leading to tradeoffs in manufacturing cost and product performance. The teardown suggests Samsung allocates titanium in a manner that emphasizes lightweight rigidity, while Apple pursues a mix that optimizes for both resilience and ease of production. As a result, the Galaxy S24 Ultra tends to incur a lower titanium cost per unit, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max carries a higher per-device price when titanium content and alloy processing are factored into the final bill of materials. These distinctions help explain pricing strategies and the perceived premium feel that buyers value in each brand’s flagship model.
From a market perspective, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is positioned with a release window that emphasizes premium hardware and cutting-edge engineering, reflecting a broader industry trend toward utilizing advanced materials to improve durability without sacrificing elegance. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, with its titanium integration, underscores Apple’s ongoing commitment to premium construction and high-precision assembly. Both devices illustrate how titanium choices contribute to long-term reliability, inching closer to what professionals in design and manufacturing call “field-ready” solutions that endure daily wear and tear. The broader takeaway for consumers is a recognition that material selection shapes not only how a phone looks but how it behaves under real-world conditions, including accidental drops and everyday friction.
Finally, the economic angle is worth noting. While the Galaxy S24 Ultra may be offered at a lower per-unit titanium cost, its overall price reflects broader production economics, including component sourcing, tooling, and scale. The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s higher titanium content and associated processing contribute to its initial price point, a reflection of Apple’s broader approach to materials and manufacturing sophistication. In market terms, both devices demonstrate how material science intersects with product strategy, price positioning, and consumer expectations as the global flagship segment continues to evolve.
As the market for premium smartphones expands, the titanium story on these two devices offers a useful lens into how brands balance performance, manufacturability, and user experience. The ongoing conversation around materials continues to shape future designs, inviting enthusiasts and professionals to watch how titanium continues to be leveraged to deliver lighter, stronger, and more durable devices in the years ahead. Attribution: JerryRigEverything