Apple's plastic iPhone 5C - A Discussion on Durability

[lotust]

The plastic is ok with me. I love the feel of my 4s without a case, but it's a slippery sucker

 

[MrX8503]

Plastic costs less to produce than aluminum. Therefore, the common perception is that aluminum is more premium than plastic. Did you think that Apple exclusively makes their products out of aluminum because aluminum is superior over other materials, such as plastic? If Apple could get away with selling the iPhone 5S out of plastic, trust me, they would. I mean, seriously... Who doesn't like crazy profit margins?

The fact of the matter is that Apple makes their products out of aluminum because they are selling a premium device. Consumers expect a premium device to be made of what they perceive to be premium materials.

Apple likes their profit margins, but I don't think Apple would convert completely to plastic to increase their profits. Apple likes to make nice devices not crappy ones.

 

[Rakehellion]

Plastic costs less to produce than aluminum. Therefore, the common perception is that aluminum is more premium than plastic. Did you think that Apple exclusively makes their products out of aluminum because aluminum is superior over other materials, such as plastic? If Apple could get away with selling the iPhone 5S out of plastic, trust me, they would. I mean, seriously... Who doesn't like crazy profit margins?

The fact of the matter is that Apple makes their products out of aluminum because they are selling a premium device. Consumers expect a premium device to be made of what they perceive to be premium materials.

It is a premium device, so it uses premium materials. Fact is, aluminum is much better at dissipating heat, so they aren't using steel, titanium, or polycarbonate. It's also much stronger than plastic, so they can use less material and make a thinner device.

 

[Eug]

Aluminum is harder for wireless penetration though.

 

[DA CPU WIZARD]

Apple likes their profit margins, but I don't think Apple would convert completely to plastic to increase their profits. Apple likes to make nice devices not crappy ones.

Well, yes. I was trying to convey the message that Apple would gladly switch to plastic if (in this imaginary world) people did not care either way between having a plastic or an aluminum phone.

Obviously this is not the case and Apple will continue to make aluminum devices. But I'm sure the "imaginary" world I speak of is a pipe dream for Apple and it's shareholders!

 

[DA CPU WIZARD]

To answer Slugg's question - What is the point of the 5C.

Apple faces a problem: Outdated iPhones covers a *substantial* percent of their iPhone sales per year. Apple is making much less money than it would like on these outdated devices because the *premium* aluminum casing that it is stored in is still something that Apple will be using on their current device. They want people buying the current iPhone, not last years iPhone because they make less money on last years model. As a result, they take last years model, replace the premium aluminum case with a plastic case, and make the profits that they are comfortable with. When buying last years iPhone, you are no longer paying sub-premium prices for a premium device. You are paying less for a lesser device, if you will. As a result with this, I would say that Apple will be making as much a push for people to buy the iPhone 5C as it will the iPhone 5S. They're making Apple-approved margins on both now, rather than just one.

As I have said, Apple will make more money per device that is made of plastic over aluminum. Pipe dream come true, to an extent, eh?

 

[MrX8503]

Well, yes. I was trying to convey the message that Apple would gladly switch to plastic if (in this imaginary world) people did not care either way between having a plastic or an aluminum phone.

Obviously this is not the case and Apple will continue to make aluminum devices. But I'm sure the "imaginary" world I speak of is a pipe dream for Apple and it's shareholders!

I don't think its a dream of Apple. The way Apple works is that they create a brand where they can command a premium price. A premium device backs up that notion. Apple is totally against devaluing that brand and its very unlikely going all plastic to increase profits is a dream of Apple.

It would devalue their brand and thus decrease their profits.

 

[lotust]

Wen is preorder? The 13th? I don't need no sinking finger print reader

 

[Rakehellion]

Wen is preorder? The 13th? I don't need no sinking finger print reader

Then you might as well buy an iPhone 5 because it's exactly the same.

 

[DA CPU WIZARD]

Profits versus consumer outlook... I dunno.

 

[jpeyton]

Then you might as well buy an iPhone 5 because it's exactly the same.

Not exactly the same. An iPhone 5 doesn't look like a Fisher Price toy, and I've seen them selling for under $400 on Craigslist.

 

[Koing]

Then you might as well buy an iPhone 5 because it's exactly the same.

Better photos, videos (slow mo is a cool feature and I'd use it a lot personally for my lifting) and the faster cpu. It'll last longer in the end and the price difference isn't that much.

To me a difference of £100 isn't that much over a 24month contract. No brainer. I'll always be willing to pay more for a faster product.

The finger print reader doesn't interest me really. I don't password my phone to save not having to enter a code in. Same with the SIRI thing. I haven't had a phone that has it but I don't think I'd use it at all.

Koing

 

[RampantAndroid]

Aluminum is harder for wireless penetration though.

Which is why the iPhone 3 and 3G were plastic backed, the iPhone 4 and 4S were glass backed and the iPhone 5 and 5S have a mostly aluminum back with glass sections. The antennae sit right behind those glass sections.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

The finger print reader doesn't interest me really. I don't password my phone to save not having to enter a code in. Same with the SIRI thing. I haven't had a phone that has it but I don't think I'd use it at all.

I don't really use Siri as a question and answer service, but I do use the speech-to-text feature pretty often, especially when I'm driving. (Shows up as a little microphone symbol on the keyboard.) It works pretty well. You can even dictate punctuation, say "period" at the end of a sentence, etc. Handy for when you need to send a long-ish email or message but can't type it in yourself.

 

[Koing]

I don't really use Siri as a question and answer service, but I do use the speech-to-text feature pretty often, especially when I'm driving. (Shows up as a little microphone symbol on the keyboard.) It works pretty well. You can even dictate punctuation, say "period" at the end of a sentence, etc. Handy for when you need to send a long-ish email or message but can't type it in yourself.

Cool man. Glad people and you are getting use out of it

I wouldn't see myself using it in the car. I avoid doing anything in the car besides driving and listening to music. Police in the UK are all over people using phones in cars!

Koing

 

[Eug]

I sometimes use voice dictation on my Android phone and I would on an iPhone too, mainly because I still find typing on a phone screen a major PITA.

In fact, I was just sitting on the couch with my sleeping daughter trying to type messages on my phone and finally just got frustrated and picked up my MacBook, on which I am typing now. Voice dictation isn't advisable with a sleeping kid next to you.

 

[ultimatebob]

Apple has a history of making plastic products that crack. My two iBooks, my non-Pro MacBook, and my iPhone 3G all had cracking issues. That said, I am hopeful they can make a 5C that doesn't crack. They sure have had enough practice.

My main concern actually is the screen. If it is noticeably worse, I'll probably not buy it.

Huh? I had an iPhone 3G that I usually used without a case, and I never had any durability issues with it. Even after being dropped a few times, it's still in one piece with no cracks.

Personally, I think that this new 5C model will hold up better than the all glass iPhone 4's.

 

[Eug]

The iPhone 3G/3GS cracking issue is well documented.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/10/our-iphone-3g-cracked-too-what-gives-apple/