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Weekly poll: What materials should flagships use?

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  • Comments (132)

Chip 16 July 2017

Weekly poll

We had this one two years ago, but a reader email got us thinking that it might be a good idea to give it another shot and see if preferences have changed. The market trends certainly have and now metal is by far the the most popular material on any smartphone - flagship or not. But has that resulted in its devaluation as a luxury good or are you still considering it the most premium of materials?

On the hand there are those that prefer their phones covered with glass - the cool reflection effects and the gloss certainly look fancy even if they require plenty of upkeep to keep fingerprints at bay. Glass also means you can live without the ugly antenna lines and enables stuff like wireless charging.

A plastic finish with a rubbery texture is the most grippy option and while it’s rarely seen lately few can argue its practicality. It mostly got phased out as people weren’t very fond of its looks and because it added thickness to the devices that employ it. But we’re still getting the occasional comment that maker should use it more often so maybe there are some fans left.

Finally, there are the more exotic options - Xiaomi has been experimenting with ceramic, while HTC took the world by surprise by announcing a sapphire glass covered U Ultra. Such materials are hard to produce in large quantities though so they limit the supply and drive up the price - are you willing to pay the premium?

What materials should flagships use?
Metal all the way
You can't beat glass for looks
Plastic/Rubber are the most practical choice
Go wild: Ceramics, Sapphire glass or other exotics
Survey Maker

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Reader comments

?
  • Anonymous
  • tZk
  • 20 Jul 2017

If you really love smartphone made from whole titanium just go for it. Anyway, Xperia XZ Premium with the waterproof IP65/IP68 still a very important feature that can protect the internal and battery lifespan can stay longer with Qnovo adapting charg...

  • Reply
D
  • AnonD-521587
  • kcM
  • 19 Jul 2017

I think right now Sony XZP is really good. But the essential phone with titanium is a step up above alluminium i feel like sony should have done this before.

  • Reply
S
  • Surficial
  • HCa
  • 18 Jul 2017

One technique that could be used with brittle materials is to prestress them in compression. They have low tensile but high compressive strength, so if prestressed, a tension force should act as a smaller compressive force. Not sure if bridge bui...

  • Reply
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Total reader comments: 132

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