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Why is Iphone X so heavy?

J

jimbo1mcm

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Mar 21, 2010
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Iphone X weighs 22 oz more than the Galaxy S8 which has a much higher PPI, a headphone jack, a bigger battery and also wireless charging. Wonder why? Are Samsung engineers smarter?

Update: sorry bad math. 22 grams more. 6.14 oz to 5.36 oz.
1,000 nits brightness vs 625 for Iphone X
 
Last edited:
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From a quick search, it looks like the iPhone X is 19g heavier than the Galaxy S8, not 22 ounces.

I'd guess that it's likely from heavier materials, like the steel frame+body and glass used in the iPhone X. Also, for comparison, the X is roughly half way from the weight of the 8 to 8 Plus.
 
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There is no way in this world that the iPhone 8 weighs over a pound more than the S8, the phones themselves combined don't even weigh a pound.

Now if you meant 2.2 oz, that is still off, the actual weight difference is just over a half and ounce, which in the end is like nothing. The main reason is cheaper materials. Apple uses glass and stainless steel, Samsung uses plastic.
 
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jimbo1mcm said:
Iphone X weighs 22 oz more than the Galaxy S8 which has a much higher PPI, a headphone jack, a bigger battery and also wireless charging. Wonder why? Are Samsung engineers smarter?

Update: sorry bad math. 22 grams more. 6.14 oz to 5.36 oz.
1,000 nits brightness vs 625 for Iphone X
Click to expand...
LoL... More pixel density doesn't mean more weight.
 
Does the weight actually matter though?

I believe these comparisons are detailing rather insignificant qualities between the respective phones. Both are within reasonable weights/sizes and as long as the thing doesn't feel like a brick, I see no reason for scrutiny.
 
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I'd say that Apple engineers are smarter. No doubt the used extra material to reinforce the device instead of Samsung, who probably just injected plastic over a steel skeleton and slapped some glass on front.
 
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Cryates said:
Even if it is heavier, which is only by a slight margin, it will only add to the premium feel of the device. People often complain of a phone being too light and feeling cheap because of it.
Click to expand...

why can't phones be premium (also done with best materials) AND light? technology limits?
 
USC_Gamecock said:
Steel and glass are heavier than plastic.
Click to expand...

The only obvious answer is Samsung is smarter™.
[doublepost=1508169833][/doublepost]
roeiz said:
why can't phones be premium (also done with best materials) AND light? technology limits?
Click to expand...

Many people equate a premium feel with the weight of the object in the hand. It's an inaccurate and unrealistic measure of quality. Sure Titanium could be used, or some other materials...
 
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roeiz said:
why can't phones be premium (also done with best materials) AND light? technology limits?
Click to expand...
It's more about a user's perception of a device in their hand vs the actual build quality of a phone. iPhone would be significantly lighter without 3D Touch, which itself adds no more premiumness to the feel of iPhone, but that heavier feeling in one's hand will come across as more premium and durable than the same phone without 3D Touch. It's mostly psychological, basically.
 
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Cryates said:
Lol I like that PPI was used as a point to compare weights.
Click to expand...
Yeah that was priceless, along with screen brightness. Lmao
[doublepost=1508170680][/doublepost]
Adzenys said:
Does the weight actually matter though?

I believe these comparisons are detailing rather insignificant qualities between the respective phones. Both are within reasonable weights/sizes and as long as the thing doesn't feel like a brick, I see no reason for scrutiny.
Click to expand...
The weight most certainly does matter, and greatly. I’m buying the iPhone X coming from the iPhone 7, and I’m not looking forward to the massive weight increase, but I UNDERSTAND the weight increase, whereas most people apparently do not.
 
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roeiz said:
why can't phones be premium (also done with best materials) AND light? technology limits?
Click to expand...

It’s 2002. You go to your friends house. Do you want the light PS2 controller or the heavy one?

I think it’s so ingrained that they put metal weights in ‘beats’ headphones to make them feel expensive.
 
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jimbo1mcm said:
Iphone X weighs 22 oz more than the Galaxy S8 which has a much higher PPI, a headphone jack, a bigger battery and also wireless charging. Wonder why? Are Samsung engineers smarter?

Update: sorry bad math. 22 grams more. 6.14 oz to 5.36 oz.
1,000 nits brightness vs 625 for Iphone X
Click to expand...
Now let’s hit you with the reasons why the iPhone X weighs more:

•The glass may be slightly thicker
•The back glass panel is attached to a steel frame which greatly increases its rigidity against a user bending the phone and therefore breaking the glass
•The 3D Touch layer may add significant weight (it was responsible for massive increase in weight from the iPhone 6 to the 6s)
 
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jimbo1mcm said:
Iphone X weighs 22 oz more than the Galaxy S8 which has a much higher PPI, a headphone jack, a bigger battery and also wireless charging. Wonder why? Are Samsung engineers smarter?

Update: sorry bad math. 22 grams more. 6.14 oz to 5.36 oz.
1,000 nits brightness vs 625 for Iphone X
Click to expand...

22 ounces is nearly a pound and a half, bud.
 
But we don't complain about the Otterbox adding more weight. I never understood the complaint about a few more oz.'s. Would the difference cause more fatigue, droopy pants or heavier purse? Doesn't Apple make their iPhones from a slab of metal?
 
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PPI has absolutely nothing to do with weight. The reason it weighs more is it uses heavier materials - self explanatory
 
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