Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Do you miss the polished chamfered edge?

Appl3FTW

Appl3FTW

macrumors 603
Original poster
Nov 15, 2012
5,577
1,256
to those who had the 5/5s and went with the se. Do u miss the polished chamfered edge compared to the matte on the se? I'm kinda wanting to get the se but I don't want to give up my 5s because it was the first gold iPhone and there's a history to it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Digger148
Those edges are hidden under the protection of my Magpul case.
bat.gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lopes, ABC5S and iOSUser7
I do think the polished edges look nicer, particularly on the white bezeled phones. I had a silver 5 and this time I've decided to try space grey. The current silver just lacks that extra bit of pizzazz. I do go caseless, so I'm sure many people who do won't notice and many others won't care. It was hardly a deal breaker but it did factor into my color choice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nordique, CB636 and turbineseaplane
I'm thinking that it's as simple as this: not chamfering the edges cut costs and made it cheaper for Apple to make it. I think the SE just has the exact same finish throughout the entire casing.
 
Chamfered edges were scratch magnets and would get scratched even from just removing a case! :mad:

SE matte edges are pure class and the way to go! :)
 
It's definitely more work for Apple. Many top end luxury watches have chamfered, polished edges contrasting other finishes. I prefer it but don't care really.
 
Hmm. What watch brands use chamfering? I know that it's very common to mix polished and brushed steel. My Rolex, Omegas, and other watches I've had all did this. Are you using chamfering and polished synonymously?
 
I don't care either way, but it does seem a bit odd that other more recent devices in Apple's lineup still include the polished edges (2015 iPod touch, iPads). Then again, there's such a mix of different design languages in play, most devices are a mix of elements of the "new" items found on the iPhone 6/6 Plus/6S/6S Plus and prior Apple products:

Old:
  • Polished chamfered edges: iPhone 5/5S, iPads, iPod touch
  • No camera bump: iPhone 5/5S/SE, all iPads except the iPad Pro 9.7"
  • Circular volume buttons: iPhone 5/5S/SE
  • 2 rows of speaker holes: iPhone 5/5S/SE, iPad Air, iPad mini 2

New:
  • Matte chamfered edges: iPhone SE
  • No chamfered edges: iPhone 6/6 Plus/6S/6S Plus
  • Camera bump: iPhone 6/6 Plus/6S/6S Plus, iPad Pro 9.7", iPod touch
  • Pill volume buttons: iPhone 6/6 Plus/6S/6S Plus, iPads, iPod touch
  • 1 row of speaker holes: iPhone 6/6 Plus/6S/6S Plus, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, both iPad Pros
 
I just think the polished chamfered edge looks fantastic and I miss it on the se styling.
 
I miss it too. Apple probably saves a couple of cents from the manufacturing bill by not chamferring the edges, which is fair. Savings add up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Appl3FTW
The polished edge looks nice in ads and photos, but my 5s is in an apple leather case so I don't actually see the edge. If I replace the 5s with an SE it will also go into a black leather case and won't be seen, so I honestly don't care.

I might actually care if I didn't have to put it in a case to get a black phone.
 
just checked out the se for myself in person

yea the chamfered edge may be slightly nicer looking, but ill take the less stress/OCD/liability associated with the matte edges
 
  • Like
Reactions: turbineseaplane
PaladinGuy said:
Hmm. What watch brands use chamfering? I know that it's very common to mix polished and brushed steel. My Rolex, Omegas, and other watches I've had all did this. Are you using chamfering and polished synonymously?
Click to expand...

It's not usual for watches to have chamfered/bevelled parts like bezels, lugs, clasps, or parts of a movement. Depends on the design, not the brand, but the additional steps to do such finishing is more likely to be found an a higher-end or better-finished watch.

The chamfered edges on the SE may not be polished, but that doesn't make them invulnerable to nicks or scratches. Less contrast may make such battle scars less noticeable, though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nordique
I kind of think it looks better with the matte edges, or at least it looks better with the shade of space gray Apple is using.
 
I love the 5SE, I got one to switch to (from the 6S Plus) just for fun for a few weeks... I think it's a great phone especially for the lower price.... but does anyone else miss the polished chamfered edges that these phones had with the 5S?
 
Yes! I do. I still have my old iPhone 4S laying around simply because I love the overall design of the device. The flush camera on the back...to the way I could place the phone on its side while taking photos. Don't get me wrong I like my 6 Plus however I still prefer the overall look of the older iPhone 4S.
 
Appl3FTW said:
to those who had the 5/5s and went with the se. Do u miss the polished chamfered edge compared to the matte on the se? I'm kinda wanting to get the se but I don't want to give up my 5s because it was the first gold iPhone and there's a history to it.
Click to expand...

I think I do miss it. I remember thinking it was kind of dumb that they made such a big deal out of it as a design feature when they announced the 5, and I thought it popped a bit much on my 5s, but now I think I get it.

That said, I think the reason is that I opted for a silver/white SE, and had the gray/black 5s. On the 5s, the chamfered edge popped out a little more, though the ring around the home button wasn't as pronounced. On my silver SE, that ring around the home button pops out, and has nothing to balance it. It looks a little off without the polished chamfers. I think if the home button weren't so shiny, I probably wouldn't care as much, or maybe if I had gotten the gray/black model -- I'll have to check that out the next time I'm in the Apple Store.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back