New iPhone Air and Apple Watch 11 to feature titanium 3D printed parts

Apple today debuted the all-new iPhone Air, the thinnest iPhone ever made, and the first to officially feature a titanium 3D printed component. Like some of its predecessors, the new Apple Watch 11 also features a fully 3D printed titanium case, demonstrating that the use of AM to mass produce consumer electronics is here to stay and – if anything – will be increasing in the future.

Both elements are part of Apple’s efforts to reduce environmental impact (Apple 2030), as AM can produce the same parts using significantly less material and electricity than other processes. Apple 2030 is the company’s ambitious plan to be carbon neutral across its entire footprint by the end of this decade by reducing product emissions from its three biggest sources: materials, electricity, and transportation.

“The all-new iPhone Air is so powerful, yet impossibly thin and light, that you really have to hold it to believe it’s real. This huge leap in design and engineering is only made possible through Apple innovation, especially Apple silicon,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “iPhone Air is a brand-new member of the iPhone family that delivers advanced features our users will love, like pro performance, a versatile 48MP Fusion camera system, our innovative Center Stage front camera, and great all-day battery life — all in a breakthrough design that feels like you’re holding the future.”

Beyond being impossibly thin and this shape is made possible by the new titanium USB-C port, which is 3D printed to be thinner and stronger, fitting into the slim design while using 33 percent less material than a conventional forging process. In addition, iPhone Air is made with 35 percent recycled content, including 80 percent recycled titanium, the highest ever for an iPhone, and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. It is manufactured with 45 percent renewable electricity, like wind and solar, across the supply chain. It is designed to be durable, repairable, and offer industry-leading software support, while meeting Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. The paper packaging is 100 percent fiber-based and can be easily recycled.

Likewise, Apple Watch Series 11 is now made with 40 percent recycled content, which includes 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery, and 100 percent recycled titanium or aluminum in the case. These titanium cases are made using an innovative 3D printing process that uses just half the raw material as previous generations. It is manufactured with 100 percent renewable electricity, like wind and solar, across the supply chain. Apple Watch Series 11 is designed to be durable and repairable, and also offers industry-leading software support, while meeting Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. The paper packaging is 100 percent fiber-based and can be easily recycled.