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Durability 3GS vs 4
- Thread starter Cod3rror
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Without dropping, they both are the same - pretty much.
I'd go with the 4 though. Seems less likely for any buttons to fall off. You shouldn't have a problem with either one though.
Now if you're talking about dropping, then definitely the 3GS.
I'd go with the 4 though. Seems less likely for any buttons to fall off. You shouldn't have a problem with either one though.
Now if you're talking about dropping, then definitely the 3GS.
HA! Don't make me laugh! You've obviously haven't read any of the threads where many of us are on our 3rd or 4th iPhone 4 because of the craptacular home button. At least on Android, the capacitive buttons actually work!
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What iPhone is made of steel?
What iPhone is made of steel?
Sounds like the problem is in your seat. How come iPhone was voted the best mobile phone at mobile world congress, when Apple didn't even attend it?
My i4 has held up far better than my 3G did.
Fewer scuffs and scrapes overall from normal use and, I know this isn't the quesion here, but the i4 survived a few falls much better than my 3G did.
Fewer scuffs and scrapes overall from normal use and, I know this isn't the quesion here, but the i4 survived a few falls much better than my 3G did.
I guess he was talking about the stainless steel frame that acts as the antenna for the bluetooth, wifi, etc.
The 3GS has a chrome steel frame/collar. The iPhone 4 has a glass back that shatters on impact - doubling the chances of you breaking glass with a drop.
+1 to you friend. Couldn't agree with you more. The iPhone 4's square design is striking, but terrible compared to holding and pocketing the 3GS. So what if it's thinner, if it has edges that would cut cheese.
I pray they wise up and make the next model with Liquid Metal. Putting glass on the back was the stupidest marketing decision ever and they look slightly the fool for it.
I dropped my 3GS several times. I've dropped my i4 several times. Nice good "onto-hard-surfaces" falls.
That's 3 glass sides and 1 plastic side. So...75% glass sides in all those drops and only 25% plastic.
Of all of that, only the plastic back broke.
My experience (over 3 years) is the opposite of your claim. Do you have different experiences with your phones?
I wouldn't claim any one person's experience would count for much.
http://www.squaretrade.com/pages/iphone4-glass-study
I own both and I've dropped them a couple times. I think they're both really good but the screen on the 4 may be a little better. 
And that report seems to suggest the i4 glass is stronger than the 3GS glass.
I'm not saying my experience counts for anything, really, but you've got studies like the one you posted kind of backing me up so I can't be too far off from normal.
I'm not saying the glass CAN'T break, I'm just saying it's stronger than most people think. The fact that it seems to be stronger than the glass on the old phone (according to that one study) kind of backs me up there.
I completely agree. It's getting less and less responsive everyday, it's ridiculous
They both have durability advantages. Under normal use w/o a case the 3GS will show more wear and tear in the form of scuffs, scratches and small fractures around the connectors. The iPhone 4 will show far less wear. However under more abusive situations, the iPhone 4 is more likely to suffer catastrophic damage in the form of cracked glass.
Normal use: iPhone 4 is more durable
Abusive use (accidental dropping): iPhone 3GS is more durable
Normal use: iPhone 4 is more durable
Abusive use (accidental dropping): iPhone 3GS is more durable
the 3GS is MUCH more durable in my opinion. I had my white 3GS caseless most of the time and never had scratches or worries, but I have an Otterbox for my iPhone 4 because it doesn't hold up as well, due to being all glass.