**iPhone Air Features 3D-Printed Titanium USB-C Port That Is Lighter and More Robust**
Last year, amid speculation regarding Apple’s designs for an ultra-slim new iPhone, many believed that the USB-C charging port would impede the device’s slim profile. Nevertheless, Apple unveiled a groundbreaking solution for the iPhone Air’s USB-C port by employing 3D-printed titanium.
Apple has recently released its slimmest product so far with the M4 iPad Pro. Users promptly recognized that the device’s slimness posed challenges to the traditional design of USB-C ports. Earlier insights suggested that Apple’s USB-C chargers were marginally thicker than the devices they were paired with, raising questions about how slender the forthcoming iPhone Air might be.
Even though the iPhone Air is bulkier than the iPad Pro, Apple endeavored to devise a thinner USB-C port, resulting in a major technological leap. As stated in Apple’s press release, the new titanium USB-C port is 3D-printed, enabling it to be thinner and more durable while utilizing 33% less material compared to conventional forging techniques.
This manufacturing innovation allows the iPhone Air’s USB-C port to be more streamlined than typical designs without sacrificing strength, mitigating potential bending concerns. Importantly, there has been no suggestion that this method will be incorporated in the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone 17 Pro Max, which are projected to utilize standard USB-C ports.
The slimmer USB-C port on the iPhone Air does not impede the functionality of charging cables or accessories; rather, it is the internal components that have been fine-tuned for a more condensed design. This progress illustrates Apple’s dedication to advancing smartphone design in the quest for the thinnest iPhone to date.
