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Which is the toughest iPhone?

I've heard stories of the glass cracking on the iPhone 4 and 4S, but I've never met anyone who had it happen to them. I've never heard the story about an iPhone 5 bending, and it goes without saying that none of my contacts have had it happen to them.

There's no published data on this. If it's going to bother you tremendously, then I'd suggest doing as others have said and getting a case for your phone. Sure, it alters the look and feel, but if you're the type of person to worry about damaging your phone in some form then the peace of mind is worth it. If you get a battery case (such as the Mophie cases) then there's additional functionality that serves as an added bonus.
 
StressedSnowCat said:
Does the iPhone 4s have a sort of soft rubber seal/thing alongside the edges of the screen where it meets the steel?
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No. It has nothing around the edges of the screen other than the antenna. If you are looking for the most durable iPhone, I strongly recommend looking into the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 is thinner, lighter, and more durable because of the aluminum backing the iPhone 4/4S cannot offer. If you are looking to increase your iPhone's durability, I strongly recommend looking into a case as well.

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Ledgem said:
I've heard stories of the glass cracking on the iPhone 4 and 4S, but I've never met anyone who had it happen to them. I've never heard the story about an iPhone 5 bending, and it goes without saying that none of my contacts have had it happen to them.

There's no published data on this. If it's going to bother you tremendously, then I'd suggest doing as others have said and getting a case for your phone. Sure, it alters the look and feel, but if you're the type of person to worry about damaging your phone in some form then the peace of mind is worth it. If you get a battery case (such as the Mophie cases) then there's additional functionality that serves as an added bonus.
Click to expand...

As of today, the majority of the iPhone 5 problems have been fixed due to Quality Control tightening up. I don't think you have to worry about any problems if you purchased an iPhone 5.
 
StressedSnowCat said:
My phone is failing and I need a new Phone. I'd like it to be an iPhone because of the music experience and the simplicity of transferring music from my mac but I'm the kind of guy who kept his previous phone for nearly ten years and only gave it up because there were no replacement batteries available and the company had gone broke. Therefore the question for me is this: Which phone is more durable in the long run?

I'm on the phone almost every hour with clients calling me, boutiques, designers, angry photographers, dry cleaning etc... So my phone is quite important for me.

From googling all over it's hard to tell which phone is really best. The iPhone 4 with its stainless steel frame but the back glass that we often see people break? Or the iPhone 5 in white with the aluminium which some people say bends?

It's a tough choice. Thing is I can't wait for the iPhone 6 to come out as I need a phone now. I can't wait for the 5s either (Though I doubt construction will be different than the 5 anyway, right?).

I will also be paying full retail as my phone provider only sells phones unlocked at the full price. That means 392 Euros for the iPhone 4 or 649 Euros for the iPhone 5!

Now the price is not so much of an issue -IF- I get a phone that will last me a really long time. I'm not brutal with my phones. I'm a Fashion Stylist and work on Photoshoots and the like, it can get hectic but I don't bike or do any kinds of sports that would get me into awkward or dangerous situations where I might fall down. Sometimes I do wear tight fitting jeans but I never put anything in my back pocket.

What do you guys recommend? Which is tougher? 4 or 5?
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settle in the middle with a 4S. and buy a bumper, if your not a big fan of cases. It still gives somewhat of a protection.
 
So on the 4S the glass is in direct contact with the stainless steel? I saw one the other day and it looked like there was a rubber gasket/seal or something like that between the two.
 
The 5 seems tougher with the aluminum back because the glass on the 4s is very delicate.

But the 5 is thinner and easier to bend (even without dropping).

The 4s is cheaper to repair if the glass does break (<$20).

The 5 has LTE, which doesn't have to do with toughness, but should be considered when deciding between these models.
 
Both are similar. If the 4S shatters it still works fine. If the 5 housing gets a dent it still keeps working.

4S back is easy to repair, 5 not so much.

Samsung and Casio make durable waterproof phones. There is even an S4 variant (S4 Active) so its a high end phone. Get one of those, iphones are delicate. But if your careful its not a problem. I use an iPhone and I'm fairly active, I just keep it in a case.
 
StressedSnowCat said:
So on the 4S the glass is in direct contact with the stainless steel? I saw one the other day and it looked like there was a rubber gasket/seal or something like that between the two.
Click to expand...

Yes there is a soft plastic seal between the glass and the steel on the 4s. And because of the chamfered edges on the 5, I don't think the 5 has that. But the build of the 5 seems tighter and more resistant to liquids (I've had both and gotten both wet).

The most solid of all the iPhones was probably the original. That thing was like a tank, lol. And felt like it. Heavy. But I would say second place goes to the iPhone 5.
 
If I was you, I would buy a 5. Simply because you said you want to keep it for a very long period, so you will get software updates for sure. for thoughness, iPhone 4s however seems better, back glass can be changed by yourself easily and for max 20 bucks
 
Who the **** has had their phone bend? It's a cell phone. Unless you plan on sitting directly on it, then nothing is going to happen. Put it in your front pocket and its something you should never have to think about.
 
futurefortress said:
Who the **** has had their phone bend? It's a cell phone. Unless you plan on sitting directly on it, then nothing is going to happen. Put it in your front pocket and its something you should never have to think about.
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There has been a few on here with bent iPhone 5's they bend all in the same place, around the volume keys.
 
The 3GS was pretty tough! Good little phone that, if Apple produced an A6 version I'd buy it.
 
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