Counterclockwise: the rise of the metal phone
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- AnonD-755797
- Tqf
- 30 Apr 2018
They don't use carbon fibre because it blocks RF signals almost as well as metal due to the tight weave of the carbon fibres. That's why you rarely see it used in phones or phone cases.
- D
- Drg84
- Ibx
- 25 Apr 2018
Metal phones are nothing even close to new. In 2008 I had the Nokia E71, aka The Messenger of Steel. It never broke. After that came the E6. Also stainless. Also never broke. And that one had a Gorilla Glass display. Ceramic phones are interesting, but their gonna be nearly as fragile as glass. The Lumia line had an interesting concept, solid colored plastic, so if it scratches no one notices.
- ?
- Anonymous
- vV5
- 24 Apr 2018
Yann, 23 Apr 2018Too complicated to say it right.
Glass looks beautiful, bu... morePolycarbonate for back cover is very easy scratched, unless it has paint with a layer of protection shield.
Corning Gorilla Glass is more durable to protect from scratch and
protect against drops higher than ever, surviving 1.6-meter, shoulder-height drops onto hard, rough surfaces up to 80% of the time.
- t
- thebetterchoice
- IVE
- 24 Apr 2018
now i would rather have metal finish with rubber grip style for the back than glass as it's more durable and stylish ala V20 style. sadly we don't see that anymore as all wants glass glass glass, what! you carrying a mirror ?
- D
- Duck of Death
- mY{
- 23 Apr 2018
I wouldn't mind having a future Galaxy phone with a ceramic body and glass front, skipping the metal completely. A proper "organic" design like a Galaxy SIII v2.0. It'll probably be slippery as heck, but it'll be worth it. :)
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- Mirkran
- 8y3
- 23 Apr 2018
kupfernigk, 23 Apr 2018That's totally untrue. Alumin(i)um refining takes vast amou... moreAll plastic is derived from oil. The plastic used on phones is no different. And one should be very naive to think all plastic is recycled. So much plastic ends up in the sea, rivers, lakes or underground and we don't know a thing about it. So, basically, you are supporting a multi-million dollar business which is largely responsible of the planet's pollution.
By the way, all current industrial processes are hazardous to environment.
- O
- O S
- mix
- 23 Apr 2018
kupfernigk, 23 Apr 2018Shockingly expensive, and with the downside that once these... moreBoth Aluminium oxynitride and Titanium carbide are cermet, though they have the hardness of ceramics (in both cases over 9 on mohs scale) they do not crack like ceramics, because they are cermet they still have the strength and toughness of metals.
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- Anonymous
- AK4
- 23 Apr 2018
Plastic ...end of story
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- AnonD-573665
- pE2
- 23 Apr 2018
Yust textured mate plastic, it won't scratch, and is not slippery.
- k
- kupfernigk
- 0pf
- 23 Apr 2018
O S, 23 Apr 2018Instead of the ubiquitous aluminium / stainless steel sandw... moreShockingly expensive, and with the downside that once these very hard materials do scratch, they are liable to crack along the scratch. They can't tolerate even a little flex, whereas GG tolerates it fairly well - if you doubt that, try flexing a screen protector. That, and the weight, is why Apple gave up on alumina for phone screens.
- k
- kupfernigk
- 0pf
- 23 Apr 2018
Lightning McQueen, 23 Apr 2018Which will indeed lead to pollution of land, air and water ... moreThat's totally untrue. Alumin(i)um refining takes vast amounts of energy and involves open cast mining. More energy is then needed to cast and machine the metal. The making of glass also requires very large amounts of energy. Much of this energy is derived from oil - which can also be used to make plastics, using much less of it. Metal and glass phones contain plastics anyway, in the circuit boards and the glue.
A plastic phone can be destroyed safely by pyrolysis (essentially very high temperature burning), whereas aluminium is hard to recycle because the alloys cannot simply be melted down for scrap. Glass too is liable to end up in landfill. Basically a plastic phone produces the least landfill. Because it burns in the pyroliser, less energy is needed to reduce it to scrap.
There is no connection between plastic bottles (PET), plastic bags and toys (PP and PE) and the sort of structural plastics used in phones.
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- Nzi97
- tug
- 23 Apr 2018
Want to see carbon fibre,
Buy you know, carbon fibre isn't really shiny, so, mass won't like them
- O
- O S
- mix
- 23 Apr 2018
Instead of the ubiquitous aluminium / stainless steel sandwiched between glass, substitute with;
Titanium carbide coated titanium frame sandwiched between Aluminium oxynitride.
Titanium frame gives strength against bend, and Titanium carbide coating protects against scratches.
Aluminium oxynitride allows wireless charging while it protects against scratches and cracks from drops.
- B
- BloodBlister
- LaT
- 23 Apr 2018
I have the original Mi Mix and I absolutely love the ceramic. I understand that it is vulnerable to drops but as someone that has never dropped a smartphone in the 8-9 years I've been using them, I'm not overly worried about that The scratch resistance and beauty of it is in my opinion far better than metal or glass. If it wasn't for the lack of choice when it comes to ceramic phones I'd confidently say I'd never go back, but sadly I can't guarantee there will be another ceramic phone I want in the future. There certainly hasn't been one since the first Mi Mix came out
- L
- Lightning McQueen
- KSE
- 23 Apr 2018
Anonymous, 23 Apr 2018Plastic is the best material for phones. End of discussion.Which will indeed lead to pollution of land, air and water to harm animals and plants. Haven't you read that plastic are the most harmful and demanding to make??? That's why phone makers are discontinuing their manufacturer of making plastic phones and other electronic components/ devices
#R.I.P Plastic phones
1973-2018
- H
- Haplo
- 6k$
- 23 Apr 2018
I want more metal phones, like HTC One M7 trough 10. Antena lines are fine. In fact M7 was the most beautiful phone. I also like sharp metallic chamfers a lot.
Reason I really liked Note 4 too, despite its plastic back, that did allow for a removable battery after all.
Really hate the current trend of glass backs with a passion.
Matte plastic works, but prefer aluminium for an elegant flagship and feel in hand.
Would like to see more elegant carbon fiber phones as well.
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- Devil
- 3H3
- 23 Apr 2018
Glass back is bad idea, same as metal back because no wireless charging. What about kevlar Motorola used in the past?
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- Anonymous
- Nhh
- 23 Apr 2018
mk, 23 Apr 2018vibranium or admantium or carbon nanotubes or silicon carb... morelol, we can only wish!
- m
- mk
- rA7
- 23 Apr 2018
vibranium or admantium or
carbon nanotubes or silicon carbide or granite or kryptonite.
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- Anonymous
- JG0
- 23 Apr 2018
The removable battery is the most important.
LG V10 has the best body design (not the looks, but the usefulness). It's very durable and non-slippery.