What I don't get it is why don't they just use plastic backs? I took a look at iPhone 11 today and the backs felt more like plastic than actual glass. Additionally, it's odd that Apple keeps using glass instead of plastic films which are much more resistant to cracks and contrary to popular belief, can resist scratches pretty well while maintaining flexibility. Even if it does get scratched, the scratches can be removed by polishing them. There's a technology for that and why Apple keeps using glass which is proven to break easily is beyond my comprehension. If customers want the glass feel, they can simply add a glass film on top while keeping the plastic screen safe from cracks.
I'm waiting for the movie where a bunch of guys make a toast and then throw their phones into the fireplace!
More seriously, why can't iPhones have a micro lanyard attachment point, like most cameras do? It would cost almost nothing, have zero impact on appearance (certainly much less than the notch), but would allow a neck or wrist strap, or a belt lanyard that would prevent drops and would allow users to feel the glorious iPhone without wrapping it in a case. Meanwhile my phone is in a case - sigh!
What I don't get it is why don't they just use plastic backs? I took a look at iPhone 11 today and the backs felt more like plastic than actual glass. Additionally, it's odd that Apple keeps using glass instead of plastic films which are much more resistant to cracks and contrary to popular belief, can resist scratches pretty well while maintaining flexibility. Even if it does get scratched, the scratches can be removed by polishing them. There's a technology for that and why Apple keeps using glass which is proven to break easily is beyond my comprehension. If customers want the glass feel, they can simply add a glass film on top while keeping the plastic screen safe from cracks.
I totally, agree. Eyeglasses migrated from glass to plastic decades ago -- it's lighter, thinner and doesn't shatter like glass. It's only drawback, as you mention, is scratches -- but even the old aluminum backs would scratch -- but a matt or textured finish would mostly solve that problem. For the screen, a replaceable, tempered glass screen protector would solve that problem.
And, it doesn't have to be the cheap looking, gaudy plastic like they used on the old 5c. High end, good looking stuff is available.
If somebody is worried about their phone dropping and if certain people are more careless and accident prone than others, then go put your phone in a case maybe.
I don't have the newest iPhone, but if I did, I'd use it naked, like I always have done with my previous phones. I wouldn't want to cover up the nice design and feel of it. I've had my current iPhone for a couple of years now and it's still going strong. I have never dropped it once, either intentionally or accidentally.
I'm not accident prone, but you're a better man than me. I've dropped mine - in a clear case with a tempered glass screen cover probably 30-40 times the last two years (several on to tile floors and at least once onto cement). I've gone through two screen protectors (on my third) but the phone looks like new and functions as well as when I got it.
So I wouldn't even think about not having external protection. I'm also outta business without my phone, so being without it a few days is a nightmare scenario.
Works well, keeps working well, does what I need and does it well are the metrics I value most. With an emphasis on photography, so an 11 pro Max is on my list. Looking at it is far down the list after the first two or three days.
Nowhere does Apple say their new stronger glass will prevent breakage when dropped from particular heights. Try toughness tests based on scratching from sitting in your pocket with keys, heating from sitting in the sun in your car etc. When Apple puts a suspension system with patented digital shock absorbers in their phone THEN start dropping it. It’d be a whole lot less expensive to do the tests too! Fancy dropping $1000+ phones to get them to smash. Do they make false insurance claims afterwards? <insert deep sigh here>
I've been saying this for sometime iPhones with glass backs is a design flaw, style over substance and the repairs a cash cow for Apple. My Xs fell from. a restaurant table when bumped, now I face a $600 repair of the back panel. Please don't mention the glass is there for charging when I know nobody that charges their phone without using a wire charger. I won't buy another iPhone unless Apple changes this terrible design.
Nowhere does Apple say their new stronger glass will prevent breakage when dropped from particular heights. Try toughness tests based on scratching from sitting in your pocket with keys, heating from sitting in the sun in your car etc. When Apple puts a suspension system with patented digital shock absorbers in their phone THEN start dropping it. It’d be a whole lot less expensive to do the tests too! Fancy dropping $1000+ phones to get them to smash. Do they make false insurance claims afterwards? <insert deep sigh here>
I've been saying this for sometime iPhones with glass backs is a design flaw, style over substance and the repairs a cash cow for Apple. My Xs fell from. a restaurant table when bumped, now I face a $600 repair of the back panel. Please don't mention the glass is there for charging when I know nobody that charges their phone without using a wire charger. I won't buy another iPhone unless Apple changes this terrible design.
That is a real shame.... I don't blame you a bit for feeling that way.
I've had iPhones SLAM into the ground without a scratch and other unlucky times have a light fall on a softer surface and break the screen and the insides to the point it's non-functional.
These YouTube morons will drop an iPhone and if it hits a certain way it will shatter then they'll claim it's crap even if 99% of android iWannabes have also copied Apples EXACT glass and manufacturer.
The thing about glass is it all depends on how it hits. I've had regular glass jars land on concrete and bounce several times without cracking. I've also dropped the same jars from a few inches and had them seem to explode.
Same here. The weirdest thing I've ever seen was, I placed a jar full of purified water into the backseat of a car and it EXPLODED!! I was so confused.
Err... maybe just take more care of your property, stop walking round like a phone-zombie, stop trying to hold the phone and operate it one-handed, and maybe you won't drop it. It's not rocket-science.
um ... its glass. even bullet proof glass breaks. it is a $1,000 computer in your pocket, treat it with some care. i have only once, ever, since 2007 dropped an iphone. it dinged the sides and chipped. lucky. but if the glass broke i would not be whinging about it--it is glass.
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And, it doesn't have to be the cheap looking, gaudy plastic like they used on the old 5c. High end, good looking stuff is available.
I've had iPhones SLAM into the ground without a scratch and other unlucky times have a light fall on a softer surface and break the screen and the insides to the point it's non-functional.
These YouTube morons will drop an iPhone and if it hits a certain way it will shatter then they'll claim it's crap even if 99% of android iWannabes have also copied Apples EXACT glass and manufacturer.
Same here. The weirdest thing I've ever seen was, I placed a jar full of purified water into the backseat of a car and it EXPLODED!! I was so confused.