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First Id like to say the 5s was the greatest of all time.

Second Id like to believe that curved edges offer more rigidity to the design during a fall. Doesn't a curved edge distribute the energy better than a rigid design? Especially depending on the angle of drop.

I also think we all forget about what Johnny Ive said initially. If you want to know the future of apple design you need to read on the vision of the designer.

His goal has always been to get the iPhone to a point where its a flat slab of glass. We have been working towards that goal for every iteration. Before you know it the screen will curve around to the back of the phone... Its all about his vision. Its always been.
 
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As a Samsung S9+ owner when I first read this headline I thought “What the heck, iPhones are flat.” Then of course I realized what was being discussed but I’m still amused. Samsung will really teach you the pain of curved edges. I love my S9+ but not that aspect of it.

I’m thinking curves do look kind of played out now and would welcome a flatter styled model from Apple and Samsung next year.
 
The xs in a 5 shell would be a badass move from apple.
If they can get rid of the cambered edge and have a true flat edge. With glass front and back completely flush with the band it would look the best imo. That to me would be a perfect phone.
I miss being able to stand up my phone on its side and take pictures of a group of people also. With an apple watch being a trigger for the camera it would work good as an added benefit of flat design.
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First Id like to say the 5s was the greatest of all time.

Second Id like to believe that curved edges offer more rigidity to the design during a fall. Doesn't a curved edge distribute the energy better than a rigid design? Especially depending on the angle of drop.

I also think we all forget about what Johnny Ive said initially. If you want to know the future of apple design you need to read on the vision of the designer.

His goal has always been to get the iPhone to a point where its a flat slab of glass. We have been working towards that goal for every iteration. Before you know it the screen will curve around to the back of the phone... Its all about his vision. Its always been.
Anything that has exposed edges of glass is more prone to cracking. If they used a harder frame with recessed glass I dont see why it wouldnt be the most durable phone out there. The curved edge makes the glass thinner at that point if it hits just right It will crack the glass.
Even the 5's design the glass wasn't completely flush with the sides which caused issues if you hit that edge perfectly. They are able to get the glass flush now id imagine after the 6 and on design.
 

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Why Apple decided to go to curved edges on the iPhone is beyond me.

Flat edges mean better grip. Better grip means a case is not a necessity. No case means you can more appreciate the aesthetics of the device.

Flat edges mean there’s more useable surface area for engineers to work with. It may seam miniscule, but there’s no such thing as miniscule when it comes to space in a smartphone.

Most importantly, the flat edges made the iPhone more distinct looking. They stood out from other phones.

Am I alone on this one?

I believe you can still find Windows phones. Most have 4 square edges.
 
I used to prefer the 4 and 5 look, but rounded is much more seamless and comfortable to hold.
 
Now that the new SE has curve edges too, flat edges are gone, which is really bad. With the covid19 I've been putting my older SE standing up on a table thanks to its flat edges (in landscape orientation I mean --portrait could be dangerous if it vibrates and falls down). With the new iPhones this is not possible. Not only you lose the possibility of it standing up, but round edges are also unattractive: not a professional look at all.
 
How many of you want a flat edges and then put it into silicone case with rounded design ? 😀
 
Now that the new SE has curve edges too, flat edges are gone, which is really bad. With the covid19 I've been putting my older SE standing up on a table thanks to its flat edges (in landscape orientation I mean --portrait could be dangerous if it vibrates and falls down). With the new iPhones this is not possible. Not only you lose the possibility of it standing up, but round edges are also unattractive: not a professional look at all.

Well, if upcoming iPhone 12 rumors are to be believed, the flat edges will be back.
I am looking forward to the 5.4" model, as I hate larger phones.
 
Now that the new SE has curve edges too, flat edges are gone, which is really bad. With the covid19 I've been putting my older SE standing up on a table thanks to its flat edges (in landscape orientation I mean --portrait could be dangerous if it vibrates and falls down). With the new iPhones this is not possible. Not only you lose the possibility of it standing up, but round edges are also unattractive: not a professional look at all.

I personally hate flat sides on iPhones, it’s too industrial-looking
 
I've been putting my older SE standing up on a table thanks to its flat edges
I have been doing this with my old SE long before Corona Virus, but it has definitely been very helpful since.

I FaceTimed some family members so they could participate in my toddler's birthday, it was so easy just placing it on a shelf on the flat edge.

I guess this could be accomplished with a flat-edged case, but then I would have to have a case.
 
I hated the flat edges on my old iPhone 4 and 5. Found them wildly uncomfortable to hold. I'm amazed so many people are clamoring for this to return again. I think it's just people getting bored of one look and wanting something different. Hopefully Apple will offer something more comfortable this time around. I'm planning on finally going case-less with an iPhone 12 Pro Max but I'll get egrips to add grip to the edges.
 
I liked the flat edges on the 4, but I found the 5 slightly uncomfortable to hold: my 2016 SE was the first iPhone where I used a case to help that. I thought the curved edges were nice looking but in practice the looked like a drop waiting to happen...so my 2020 SE is my SECOND iPhone where I've used a case.

All-time best body? The 5c. The most minimal case possible. The best material and shape in terms of gripping: I never ever felt it was slipping out of my hand. A good weight (slightly heavier than the movie-prop weight of the 5). Though plastic it never felt weak (stainless steel frame underneath). And I liked the colors.

One of the shows we're watching here during the current situation is Grace and Frankie on Netflix, and every time Jane Fonda picks up her blue iPhone 5c I get a little thrill.
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I don't mind the rounded edges but I wish there were no camera bumps.
Though I agree with this in principle, if you are going to use a case, then you might as well have the camera bump. A thinner phone with a camera bump actually swallows up some of the size of the case.
 
I agree with OP. Form following function.

The design is changed for the sake of change. If common posts on this site are any indication people want a complete redesign every 6 months. They want a smartphone saviour to free them from their boredom.
 
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I personally hate flat sides on iPhones, it’s too industrial-looking
I was talking just about practical/function reasons (flat edge means your phone can stand up by a side, and, contrary to what others say, I feel that flat edges let me hold the phone with more confidence than with rounded edges, which makes it feel more prone to slipping).

Apart from that, and now just for aesthetics, I also consider flat edges more beautiful. Rounded edges look to me like sports or teen fashion rather than elegance.
 
By the sounds of it you guys don't use a case. You should if you have a hard time holding your phone. It changes the shape. I have a case on my XS Max and I don't like having it on. Those extra few mm's make my big phone even bigger. But I prefer the sound of my phone hitting the floor in a case over the sound it makes nude. Props to them for the decent glass. Although I do prefer holding my nude phone, its easier to one hand.
 
By the sounds of it you guys don't use a case. You should if you have a hard time holding your phone. It changes the shape. I have a case on my XS Max and I don't like having it on. Those extra few mm's make my big phone even bigger. But I prefer the sound of my phone hitting the floor in a case over the sound it makes nude. Props to them for the decent glass. Although I do prefer holding my nude phone, its easier to one hand.
Most people use cases. The problem is that a lot of us do so because the iPhone is such a terrible experience without a case. Aluminum and glass backs make your phone very slippery. And aluminum and steel sides are not easy to grip.

I've owned two smartphones that I used caseless because they were a joy to hold. The iPhone 3G and my Nexus 5. I could easily handle these phones with confidence without a case.

Now that I'm using larger smartphones, I have less desire to use a case, because the overall package just becomes so heavy and bulky. I'm currently using Dragon Grips. I have Apple Care in case of potential damage. I previously was using a Speck Presidio Grip case. I absolutely loved it, but I'd still rather not add the bulk and weight if possible.
 
I was talking just about practical/function reasons (flat edge means your phone can stand up by a side, and, contrary to what others say, I feel that flat edges let me hold the phone with more confidence than with rounded edges, which makes it feel more prone to slipping).
I agree. From a practical POV, the the squared edges of iPhones like the 4, 5, and SE kind of "dig" or "bite" into the hand as one holds them making them a lot less likely to slip out.

The slippery rounded edge was one thing I hated about my iPhone 6s Plus. It was so slippery, especially with dry hands in the wintertime, it would sometimes "pop" out of my hands when holding it.


Apart from that, and now just for aesthetics, I also consider flat edges more beautiful. Rounded edges look to me like sports or teen fashion rather than elegance.
From an aesthetic POV, I also find the squared off edges to be more beautiful. There is also an uniqueness to the squared edges of the older iPhones which really differentiated them from the non-iPhone competition.

I remember on the day of the iPhone 6 event, I was busy and couldn't watch the live updates. When I had a little bit of free time, I attempted to quickly catch up on the event, skimming the update page on MR.

When I saw the iPhone 6 for the first time, I was confused.

I remember thinking and wondering why Apple would have an Android phone displayed during an iPhone event. I first thought that maybe Apple was comparing sales or specs to their competitors, but still thought this was weird.

Then I realized that it wasn't an Android phone, but the new iPhone 6.
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By the sounds of it you guys don't use a case.
I personally hate cases, and will not use them. Phones are getting big enough already, and cases just add to the bulk.
 
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I personally hate cases, and will not use them. Phones are getting big enough already, and cases just add to the bulk.
Indeed, I'll never understand why you would buy a case for an iPhone. This tells how Apple has changed over the years. In the past, Apple mice had one button only, and any Apple employee would tell you that the Mac worked best with one button. Nowadays, any Apple employee will ask you if you want a case when you buy an iPhone... times have changed (and for worse).
 
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