A breakdown of the unibody iPhone

[Want300]

I feel like everyone who doesn't like it now, will like it once they see the real thing when Apple releases it. That's exactly what happened to a lot of people when the iPhone 4 was released.

At first I hated the two tone look, I thought it was a stupid design choice and that it was dumb of Apple to use metal and glass instead of all metal, but I've come to LOVE the two tone look and after reading this article, I like it even more.

We'll only know when the actual device is released by Apple.

Thanks for the reply, by the way. It was insightful.

I did not like the iPhone 4 at first either, but it was hard to imagine what it would really look like and how it would feel. Also, the images did not seem to do it any justice.

With this phone, I am sure I will come to like it when I get used to it. But it is much easier to imagine my 4S taller. The back is hard to imagine though, so if I have to insert my foot in my mouth, and like it in person... So be it, haha.

My assumption (assuming this is the real phone) is that we are seeing prototype parts and that the real thing will be more refined and more aesthetically pleasing. All of Apple's current products look sleek IMO, so I am sure this one will be. But I still would like more in terms of screen size.

 

[SR71]

I did not like the iPhone 4 at first either, but it was hard to imagine what it would really look like and how it would feel. Also, the images did not seem to do it any justice.

With this phone, I am sure I will come to like it when I get used to it. But it is much easier to imagine my 4S taller. The back is hard to imagine though, so if I have to insert my foot in my mouth, and like it in person... So be it, haha.

My assumption (assuming this is the real phone) is that we are seeing prototype parts and that the real thing will be more refined and more aesthetically pleasing. All of Apple's current products look sleek IMO, so I am sure this one will be. But I still would like more in terms of screen size.

That couldn't be more true. Pictures NEVER do any prototypes justice, and Apple will more than likely have a much more refined product ready come release date. I too came from an Android phone (a Droid X - 4.3" screen), so I also like larger screens. 4.3" felt just right to me, but many people also saw it as too big, while 4" was the sweet spot - not to big, not to small. However, I, myself, have never owned or even seen a 4" phone so I don't know how I'll like it, but anything bigger than the current 3.5" screen is a welcome change for me.

 

[Leet Apple]

this is really starting to grow on me

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I was unsure about the design initially, but I think I'll like it.

but what REALLY annoys me is how a lot of people say it's such a minor update... If you hate the look/feel of the design, that fine, that's your opinion. But a minor update?!!

First of all, you can't tell how major/minor an update is just by the looks. 3GS and 4S were actually pretty major updates. Having a nice looking shell is great, but the real meat of the phone is what's on the inside.

Secondly, I would argue it is the MOST significant design/construction update to date! It has a 0.5" larger screen (what people have been wanting for a couple years). It will be significantly thinner (I believe the largest percentage thinner ever). It will finally have a unibody form which is so nicely explained in this thread. It will have a new dock connector (we don't know if this will have added functionality, but it may have mag-safe. But it's still a change). Reposition the headphone jack (for better or worse it's a significant change). Smaller SIM. Sturdy metal back. I mean just based on what we've seen it's already a huge update!

And finally, based on the rumors it will have LTE, possible NFC, faster processor, more RAM, possibly more flash storage (my pipe dream), a better camera (both front and back)... that all seems pretty significant to me. Honestly what more are you wanting? It's only been 1 year!!!


I get the feeling that everybody simply wants a wider phone. I think that's a dumb reason for so much animosity... Just shut up and be glad Apple bumped it from 3.5" to 4.0". Take that as a win...

 

[mattopotamus]

I was unsure about the design initially, but I think I'll like it.

but what REALLY annoys me is how a lot of people say it's such a minor update... If you hate the look/feel of the design, that fine, that's your opinion. But a minor update?!!

First of all, you can't tell how major/minor an update is just by the looks. 3GS and 4S were actually pretty major updates. Having a nice looking shell is great, but the real meat of the phone is what's on the inside.

Secondly, I would argue it is the MOST significant design/construction update to date! It has a 0.5" larger screen (what people have been wanting for a couple years). It will be significantly thinner (I believe the largest percentage thinner ever). It will finally have a unibody form which is so nicely explained in this thread. It will have a new dock connector (we don't know if this will have added functionality, but it may have mag-safe. But it's still a change). Reposition the headphone jack (for better or worse it's a significant change). Smaller SIM. Sturdy metal back. I mean just based on what we've seen it's already a huge update!

And finally, based on the rumors it will have LTE, possible NFC, faster processor, more RAM, possibly more flash storage (my pipe dream), a better camera (both front and back)... that all seems pretty significant to me. Honestly what more are you wanting? It's only been 1 year!!!


I get the feeling that everybody simply wants a wider phone. I think that's a dumb reason for so much animosity... Just shut up and be glad Apple bumped it from 3.5" to 4.0". Take that as a win...

one of the better post I have read in a while. To call an update minor or a failure based on the looks is just ignorant.

 

[Abazigal]

Very insightful article, and I am humbled by just how how much R&D actually goes into justifying that slightly larger screen, or even something as innocuous as the design of the back of a phone. This isn't because the designers are desperately scrapping the bottom of the barrel post-jobs; they are just searching for that ever-elusive combination of form and function.

It is all too easy to criticise what we know of the new iPhone and question why Apple doesn't do this or that, compared with what their competitors like Samsung are doing, like it is so easy to just snap your fingers and crap out the next winning design. Everything is done for a good reason. And there is no way anyone could confuse that for the S3.

If this is really the case, I have no qualms about paying a stiff fee for recontracting my 1-year old 4s when the new one gets announced.