Why are smartphone designs so ugly?

[MrX8503]

This has been a thing that has been bothering me with smartphones lately. Awesome hardware, shitty design.

Why is it so difficult to make an awesome looking phone? I still think the HTC HD2 is one of the best looking smartphones out there mainly because of its very small bezel.

If only it had capitative buttons and a slightly smaller bottom bezel, this design would be killer. So now that we are in 2011 why is that a phone from 2009 still rivals the designs of phones today?

EDIT:

What I would like to see is the construction of an iPhone4, with the screen and bezel size of that HD2. That kind of design would be gorgeous.

 

[DivideBYZero]

AFAIK, bezel size is somewhat constricted by the capacitive technology and coating used. There was a post on Engadget or Slashdot the other day detailing a new capacitive technology that lends itself to very small bezel areas.

 

[gorcorps]

I'm not sure if I'd even want a smaller bezel. Seems like it'd be easier to accidently hit a part of the touchscreen when you're just holding it.

 

[Majic 7]

I have a HD7 with capacitive buttons and would rather have physical buttons. Mine are really sensitive and I am always accidentally hitting them. Even hovering above them sets them off.

 

[MrX8503]

AFAIK, bezel size is somewhat constricted by the capacitive technology and coating used. There was a post on Engadget or Slashdot the other day detailing a new capacitive technology that lends itself to very small bezel areas.

Yeah, I remember reading that. I hope it comes out soon

I'm not sure if I'd even want a smaller bezel. Seems like it'd be easier to accidently hit a part of the touchscreen when you're just holding it.

You're probably right, but there are many phones with bezels much larger than the HD2. I'd want a phone with the bezel no larger than what it is on the HD2.

 

[AstroManLuca]

The Evo is basically an HD2 with capacitive buttons and Android (although you can install Android on an HD2).

A lot of phones are really ugly or busy though.

 

[aceO07]

They could just keep using the HD2 design and upgrade the hardware. I'd be happy with that.

 

[sivart]

I like the design of the droid incredible. Not "buttons" that stick out. Smooth lines, although the back is kind of strange...but I don't look at the back that often.

Good Design is in the eye of the beholder

 

[MrX8503]

The Evo is basically an HD2 with capacitive buttons and Android (although you can install Android on an HD2).

A lot of phones are really ugly or busy though.

yeah the design of the EVO is very close, which is why I bought one. The only thing about it is that its a bit on the thick side.

 

[Patranus]

huh?

Looks pretty sexy to me.

 

[Anubis]

top and bottom bezle too large
screen too small

 

[vshah]

top and bottom bezle too large
screen too small

yup, if these 2 things were fixed ip4 would be the sexiest looking phone out there

 

[zerocool84]

top and bottom bezle too large
screen too small

Yup, a larger screen would make it look much better. Having such huge bezels kills it.

 

[WelshBloke]

Lets face it most modern smartphones look pretty similar.

Big black slab with a small grill at the top and thin row of buttons down the bottom.

 

[MrX8503]

top and bottom bezle too large
screen too small

Yup!

Now...if the new iPhone5 had a 4"+ screen with a similar bezel to the HD2, that would be one damn sexy phone.

 

[zerocool84]

Yup!

Now...if the new iPhone5 had a 4"+ screen with a similar bezel to the HD2, that would be one damn sexy phone.

Yea it seriously would be, especially with that high rez. It'd be awesome.

 

[Deeko]

If only it had capitative buttons and a slightly smaller bottom bezel, this design would be killer. So now that we are in 2011 why is that a phone from 2009 still rivals the designs of phones today?

Ugh, I despise capacitive buttons. In my opinion, the worst trend in smartphone design.

edit: and frankly, that goes to show why there are so many phones you consider ugly. Everyone has different preferences, and a company would be foolish to not recognize that. For example - many people, especially in the tech crowd, think the LG Quantum is hideous. However, my girlfriend thinks its the best looking WP7 phone out there. Everyone has their own thing...

 

[gsaldivar]

I have a HD7 with capacitive buttons and would rather have physical buttons. Mine are really sensitive and I am always accidentally hitting them. Even hovering above them sets them off.

Totally agree. Droid Incredible here, and I wish I had physical buttons as well.

 

[Deeko]

I have a HD7 with capacitive buttons and would rather have physical buttons. Mine are really sensitive and I am always accidentally hitting them. Even hovering above them sets them off.

Yea, I find it especially annoying when playing a game in landscape...way too easy to accidentally brush one of them.

 

[simonizor]

Yup!

Now...if the new iPhone5 had a 4"+ screen with a similar bezel to the HD2, that would be one damn sexy phone.

You mean sort of like the Samsung Mesmerize? It has a large bezel, but the bottom and top areas are much smaller, it has a 4" screen, and I really like the way it looks. I'm very happy with mine. I have a silicone cover on it that covers up the bezels so they really aren't noticeable at all for me.

 

[vshah]

^ yuck, plastic. i hate the feeling of the backs of those phones (my mom has a vibrant)

someone should come out with a brushed aluminum snap on back cover for them, that would be nice.

 

[WelshBloke]

^ yuck, plastic. i hate the feeling of the backs of those phones (my mom has a vibrant)

someone should come out with a brushed aluminum snap on back cover for them, that would be nice.

I prefer that soft touch coating they put on sometimes. Its still plastic but its warmer and less slippery than aluminium.

 

[MrX8503]

You mean sort of like the Samsung Mesmerize? It has a large bezel, but the bottom and top areas are much smaller, it has a 4" screen, and I really like the way it looks. I'm very happy with mine. I have a silicone cover on it that covers up the bezels so they really aren't noticeable at all for me.

I do like the design of that but it needs to be made of glass and metal.

 

[MrX8503]

Ugh, I despise capacitive buttons. In my opinion, the worst trend in smartphone design.

edit: and frankly, that goes to show why there are so many phones you consider ugly. Everyone has different preferences, and a company would be foolish to not recognize that. For example - many people, especially in the tech crowd, think the LG Quantum is hideous. However, my girlfriend thinks its the best looking WP7 phone out there. Everyone has their own thing...

I can see how physical buttons would be better, I guess I never had that problem with my EVO. Whatever the case, most smartphones are ugly. If the iPhone 4 and HD2 had a baby, the design would be killer.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

^ yuck, plastic. i hate the feeling of the backs of those phones (my mom has a vibrant)

someone should come out with a brushed aluminum snap on back cover for them, that would be nice.

I do like the design of that but it needs to be made of glass and metal.

The Captivate actually has a Aluminum battery cover stock.

IMO it's much better looking than the other Galaxy S phones.