As I sit here getting two iPhone XS’s ready to sell on eBay I can’t help but notice how much more comfortable the XS is in the hand than my 14pro.. I use my phones naked and the X/XS is the absolute best feeling phone without a case. The rounded edges and gloss back are so grippy and comfortable in the hand. Here’s to hoping apple goes back that direction in the future..any other naked users agree?
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Other Will iPhone go back to round edges like X/XS?
- Thread starter jdsmitty10
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I agree! I think the X, XS and 11 Pro were all great. Seems like a lot of folks liked the flat edge redesign of the iPhones 12, but I’m right there with you, the curved sides looked and felt better. They’ll probably go back someday, as that’s just how design is, but it will probably be a good long while.
Ya they will eventually go back for sure.
I know what you mean, My 11 Pro Max felt awesome to hold. The XS's had the nicest camera bump imo as well.
I know what you mean, My 11 Pro Max felt awesome to hold. The XS's had the nicest camera bump imo as well.
Yeah I find the 14 pro massive camera bump a help to grip the phone pulling it out of my pocket lol.. I don’t get why apple goes for the square shape over rounded.. but to clarify not all rounded are good. Any matte finish rounded phone is not good in my opinion since it is slick and hard to hold like when I had a 6 or 7. Those were too slick to use without a case
I have six more months before my and my wife's 11 Pro Max are paid off (purchased February 2021). It's a great phone, but the one thing I've always liked about my first full Apple purchase was the square sides of my iPhone 5.
I don't find curved sides conducive to picking the phone up or maintaining a tight grip on the phone. And I used my phones without cases. In fact, I lost my grip partly because of the curved sides and had to replace my 11 Pro Max in May of this year (2022).
I am hoping that by the time I upgrade Apple is still making flat sides. If I have to, I'll purchase an older model at the time I'm upgrading to get flat sides.
Really not a fan of the curved sides.
My 5 was easy to hold mainly because of its smaller size.. even with square sides and matte finish it was easy to hold due to size. 11 pro has glossy rounded sides with matte back correct? The gloss edges and back on the X are what do it for me. So much grip for someone who doesn’t use a case.
I can't speak to the X, but my 11 PM has a glass back. My main problem with curved edges is that my thumb and forefinger have less surface area to securely grip. Perhaps it may feel more comfortable (I don't think it does) but it tends to roll because it's curved and I have to make sure I squeeze harder at the center. I've got more surface area to securely grip with a flat edge.
That's just my opinion and specific to me. I'm not saying you're wrong, just that flat sides are my preference and my reasons why.
It’s interesting because when the round edges were introduced, everyone wanted the squared edges. Now that we are back with the squared edges, people prefer the rounded edges.
Apple will probably go back to rounded edges when folding iPhone is launched. It'll be a bit too thick to use flat edges.
I think flat edges models are easier to hold. Rounded edges models slip out of (my) hand easily.
I feel exactly the same, except I'm not selling the XS on eBay. Got its battery replaced recently and going to keep using it for years.
It's not just the rounded edges, it's also lighter and smaller.
It's not just the rounded edges, it's also lighter and smaller.
There’s a chance that they might compromise and go with the 5C design, which was a flat edge on the front, flat side and round edge on the back.
Not many people had the opportunity to hold this device but can I honestly say it was the most comfortable iPhone I’ve held. It had the best of both worlds.
Keep in mind however that the 5C also had a plastic back casing, which meant that there was no need for an antenna band.
Not many people had the opportunity to hold this device but can I honestly say it was the most comfortable iPhone I’ve held. It had the best of both worlds.
Keep in mind however that the 5C also had a plastic back casing, which meant that there was no need for an antenna band.
goes to show once again that Apple's fans like to cry about everything.
I agree with you that the the XS with its rounded steel frame was both comfortable to hold and aesthetically pleasing. 5.8 inches was an excellent screen size, too. But Apple don't care what we think!
2007 - 2009 (3 years) Curved edges
2010 - 2013 (4 years) Flat Edges
2014 - 2019 (6 years) Curved Edges
2020 - 2022 (3 years) Flat Edges
I think it will happen eventually but I expect we will have at least another 2-3 years of the flat edged design yet… so I expect the curved edge to make a return around about the iPhone 16 or 17, saying that they may hold out and launch it with the iPhone 20…
Personally I prefer the flat edged design for a few reasons:
1. Generally apple are able to fit a larger battery in a flat edged design.
2. The devices are less prone to bending due to a more solid design.
3. Screen protectors are far less prone to lifting.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a hybrid design though, flat front with a curved rear similar to the original iPhone.
2010 - 2013 (4 years) Flat Edges
2014 - 2019 (6 years) Curved Edges
2020 - 2022 (3 years) Flat Edges
I think it will happen eventually but I expect we will have at least another 2-3 years of the flat edged design yet… so I expect the curved edge to make a return around about the iPhone 16 or 17, saying that they may hold out and launch it with the iPhone 20…
Personally I prefer the flat edged design for a few reasons:
1. Generally apple are able to fit a larger battery in a flat edged design.
2. The devices are less prone to bending due to a more solid design.
3. Screen protectors are far less prone to lifting.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a hybrid design though, flat front with a curved rear similar to the original iPhone.
In my opinion both designs are too extreme. While the iPhone 12-14 have a good grip, they feel uncomfortable. A case is required to make the grip even better and feel comfortable.
The iPhone 6-11 has a bad grip but feels generally comfortable. A case is required for a good grip.
So I guess the current approach is closer to the optimum but needs to be slightly rounded. Or we all accept that a case almost eliminates the differences and improves grip.
The iPhone 6-11 has a bad grip but feels generally comfortable. A case is required for a good grip.
So I guess the current approach is closer to the optimum but needs to be slightly rounded. Or we all accept that a case almost eliminates the differences and improves grip.
i’m opposite. i had issues holding my 11 pro. 7 was fine as it was thinner and lighter but the new ones are heavy. 13 pro much easier to hold even though it’s even bigger.
i do miss the glossy back from X/Xs though that was more grippy.
flat sides with normal glass on back is ideal
i do miss the glossy back from X/Xs though that was more grippy.
flat sides with normal glass on back is ideal
I hate rounded edges. Not only does it make the phone look like every other phone on the market, it has a bad grip and the display is curved. They could make a very very slight curve in the edges, or make the front flat and the back curved. But I don’t think they’ll go full curved any time soon, considering the basically made every Apple product flat in the last 2 years.
Apple will probably go back to curved edges when the current flat edges is destined for the SE model. So this could mean at least not for another 5 years or so.
That is all apple can do in terms of design now. Going back and forth between round and flat edges. The current design works and theres no need to change it more drastically than that.
Soon they will need to change the way the camera looks.
Soon they will need to change the way the camera looks.
One of the bigger reasons why I went iPhone this round was because of the squared edges, I usually tended to lose my grip on the rounded edges of other phones. Also, what pain on the squared edges? I don't sense any issues, even when holding it for a long while.
Upgraded from the 11pro to the 14pro this week and I much prefer how the 11pro felt in my hand. The flat edges are horrible to hold. I did get a leather case which makes it better but the size is much more substantial then a naked 11pro now. Apple to do tend to change the design form every 3ish years so will be interesting to see the form of the 15…
Yes the gloss back is what really makes the XS easy to hold. So much more grip and looks good too! My silver XS is/was the best looking iPhone I have owned and the best feeling one too lol.. I would love a gloss back on my silver 14 pro. Would look good and be more grippy. 👍
