iPhone 5. Apple's square vs sleek teardrop design

musio said:

Just a general thread to share some thoughts about Apple's new approach to design. Everything is straight edged and square opposed to all the teardrop sleek curved alien mockups we saw last year. What do you prefer?

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I would absolutely prefer the tear drop. Or any kind of rounded design. The square is very uncomfortable to hold. The 3G/3GS body style felt amazing.

So... just to be clear, we're comparing the rumored design of last year to the one of this yeah- even though nobody has actually seen or touched either, right?


I'll go with the square one. It's not that uncomfortable to hold and it doesn't rock or move when I set it down.

I'd prefer the straight edge square shaped iPhone 4/4S mainly because of the balanced weight as opposed to the tear drop shape, which would have more weight at the top and may be difficult to handle.

The squared off one is better. It's balanced and will lie flat. The teardrop design is ridiculous, it's made by people who don't understand anything about design.

This thing?

No bueno...



4/4S is much better looking

The "boxed" version is much better given that you are maximizing the internal volume edge to edge. If you let the edges taper, you can't put as many things inside, which means you have to make more compromises. That's why I think Apple has been leaving the tapered designs versus boxed designs to help differentiate the lower-end, entry items such as the iPod Touch and MBA from the iPhone and MBP. Granted it's not consistent across every product line since the iMac is somewhat tapered versus the boxy Mini and the iPad is slightly tapered as well (probably necessary given the size and manner of use), but this is a theme that might end up extending to those designs in the future too.

I've not seen this teardrop shaped iPhone, so I have no comment on that. But if it is anything like the bloated, bulbous shaped 3GS, I'll pass. I much prefer the flat shape & design of the iPhone 4.

skidbubble said:

I've not seen this teardrop shaped iPhone, so I have no comment on that. But if it is anything like the bloated, bulbous shaped 3GS, I'll pass. I much prefer the flat shape & design of the iPhone 4.

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Here it is in all it's poorly thought-out glory:

boss.king said:

Here it is in all it's poorly thought-out glory:
Image

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...because that wouldn't be awkward to hold in landscape or watching a video while it's laying down.

Prefer the square! Feels good in my hand. I love the 4/4S design, so basic and simple but glorious.

Square is simple. It's easier to engineer and make the internals on a square shape. Also easier to make it more compact. So it will be less expensive. I think thats the way Apple will go.

I couldn't see them using curved glass either.

I don't know where the "It's uncomfortable to hold" things come from. It's better than the 3GS, not that loose in hand and you can put it on a desk without fear that one bad move can make your iPhone fall on the floor.

THE JUICEMAN said:

I would absolutely prefer the tear drop. Or any kind of rounded design. The square is very uncomfortable to hold. The 3G/3GS body style felt amazing.

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I agree 1000%!! I definitely won't be buying another brick from Apple.

I prefer the square design. It feels better when held in landscape and doesn't rock when you try and use it when it is lying on a table.

boss.king said:

Here it is in all it's poorly thought-out glory:
Image

Click to expand...

I like this one. At last less space wasted by bezel...

Teardrop > 4S > Magic mouse looking iPhone.

I prefer the square. It's very sleek and looks and feels like a small slab.

I wouldn't like the tear drop. It should lay flat when it's on a surface. And what about landscape? It would be even worse.

I prefer a symmetrical layout when possible

Prefer the square.

My opinion - While I wouldn't say no to a redesign, I really love the current design and would be 100% happy if all Apple did was elongate it.

I suppose the 'tear drop supporters' think it works by unicorn magic inside because there sure ain't any room in there for any components. No room for a connector on the bottom, no room for speakers or any kind of headphone jack.

You all keep that dream alive though!

musio said:

Just a general thread to share some thoughts about Apple's new approach to design. Everything is straight edged and square opposed to all the teardrop sleek curved alien mockups we saw last year. What do you prefer?

Click to expand...

Teardrop alien liked with that clean look though.

It can be done!

I also like that mockup that sort of looks like a magic mouse

Square.

It is already an iconic design. has more space inside for the components and is unique. Almost every other smartphone out there has the rounded shape. And the teardrop, besides being phisically impossible to make. Looks ugly.