Weekly poll: aluminum, stainless steel or titanium?

11 February 2024
When you are looking for a new phone, what is your preference for the phone's body?

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • 0p}
  • 11 Feb 2024

Iphone 15 series has narrower bezels, this also reduces size of frames and glass used.
This helps to lose weight.
Titanium partially (50% of the frame is still aluminum according to apple) is doing less than ppl think.

S24u and 23u have very similar dimensions (24 is shorter and thinner, but bit wider and 2g difference only

    CompactPhones5ever, 11 Feb 2024I don't care which metal it is, but I want the back to... moreMy only concern with a purely metal back is that it could get scratched pretty easily, but it's still miles better than glass. Also, if you're one of the people who cares about wireless Qi charging, the solution to that problem is to use another material just around the charging coil.

      stainless steel frame+aluminium body for durability and weight?

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • 0p}
        • 11 Feb 2024

        Aluminum : Lower cost, easier to obtain, easier to recycle, better to conduct heat away

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • MDZ
          • 11 Feb 2024

          Titanium is exotic and kinda cool, but the cost isn't worth it. i like weighty phones, so steel is perfect for me

            I would love a titanium frame implemented in the way Apple's done, but I do also recognise how expensive it must be to produce it. Pair that with the aramaic fibre+titanium+magnesium composite material that the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 uses, and you have a ridiculously sturdy phone that is also relatively lightweight. I just don't understand why people consider glass to be premium when it's so fragile and heavy. Glass backs don't even feel that nice to hold, they're literally only one step up from plastic backs.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • s8a
              • 11 Feb 2024

              Being back the Lumias please

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • BhZ
                • 11 Feb 2024

                I don't give a damn about construction materials. I am all for mobile devices with a lightweight build and an ideal weight of less than 170g. Most modern mobile devices are literally 250g bricks. The Xperia 10 V only weighs 159g.

                https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_10_v-12264.php

                  I don't care which metal it is, but I want the back to be metal too. Like HTC 10 - I've had it and it felt absolutely amazing in hand. Looked great too, sort of "industrial" design. Oh and the best part? The back will NEVER crack.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-1143939
                    • yJt
                    • 11 Feb 2024

                    Aluminium is the King no doubt

                      • s
                      • swaraj
                      • Cb8
                      • 11 Feb 2024

                      small 5.4 inch phone with good old polycarbonate

                        Tbh when I'm buying a phone the last thing I care about is what the sides are made of. I'll wait to see the weight of the phone as well as how well it does in drop tests

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • Tqc
                          • 11 Feb 2024

                          Right now I think aluminium is the best choice, but the recycling process is still far from ideal. I think we should consider other options.
                          There are several companies and researchers working on bioplastics from sustainable and biodegradable sources (shrimp, mushrooms, etc). Some of these new materials could potentially be much cheaper, just as durable, and much less harmful for the planet. Combining that with more repairable designs, we could make a huge impact on e-waste.

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                            • elmarcello
                            • 0p}
                            • 11 Feb 2024

                            Nice voting, an interesting one. Shall try to present my opinion.

                            The fall resistance and correspondingly the crack resistance of display glass is the most important issue here. Wear resistance is of importance too , but of an smaller one.

                            As far as i know, almost every phone relies on a metal frame inside the phone now. A no phone is sheerly plastic now. The frame is usually made of magnesium, zink, aluminium alloy, if I'm not mistaken. And it does serve well: it holds well against drops. I don't know if it can also be used for outer frame too though. And on the outside plastic should do pretty much well, it is even capable of absorbing fall shock to some extent.

                            So my answer is: plastic will do. It is also lightweight, and pleasant to hold.

                              • Z
                              • Zuzuz
                              • mA{
                              • 11 Feb 2024

                              Aluminum by far: strong enough, much more cheaper, easier to mold, fantastic at heat dissipation. Also, the most lightweight

                                Anonymous, 11 Feb 2024Magnesium alloy frame with carbon fiber back coverFellow thinkphone fan 💪

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • xjH
                                  • 11 Feb 2024

                                  Magnesium alloy frame with carbon fiber back cover

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • d%A
                                    • 11 Feb 2024

                                    Nothing feels better than a steel phone. Holding the newest vanilla iPhone (those are almunium made) felt like holding a Huawei or something, compared to iPhone 11 Pro which I still use today, that thing feels so solid and premium. Iphone 15 Pro and older are way too ugly with those giant camera bumps to even consider them owning. I really think iPhone X and XS Max are the peak of smartphones.

                                      Up until now, I rarely see naked phones.
                                      People around me are always curious how I keep my phones without covers? Almost every one of them use a cover in any form. I have the experience of Wave S8500 which was Metal prior to GSMArena mentioned year in this article, S III Plastic Polycarbonate, Lumia 920 Plastic Polycarbonate, iPhone 4 Steel/glass, Galaxy Note 4 Faux leather Plastic, until now with anything in between. Shiny Nokia Asha, Tall Lumia 1520, iPhone Bend, S9+ Alu/Glass sandwich, etc.

                                      As I never used cover and added glass over screen, I can say that almost all of them need care for their first 40 days of handling. After that you don't even notice the weight of the phone, let alone the feeling. Smooth UI over capable hardware is what catch my attention over any other factor. Important factors in exterior of the Phone are excellent outdoor brightness, Black color and High Quality of speakers.

                                        Tyas2012, 11 Feb 2024Plastic. Try to change my mindI vote for plastic too.

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