Galaxy S5 made of Carbon Fiber?

[PollyK]

So now that most high end phones are going metal, along with the attention HTC received for the One, I think it wouldn't be too far out there to think Samsung will move away from polycarbonate. I believe the Note 3 will be the last high end device from Samsung to be made of polycarbonate.

Samsung and SGL Group just entered into a joint venture.
"The joint venture targets applications in the markets for electronic products, wind blades, pressure vessels, automotive and household appliances in the Far East. The Asian carbon fiber market is expected to be sharply growing in Korea and China by over 20% per year. Currently the Korean market focuses on prepreg and sportive goods. In the future though, the market is to be expanded to a wider range of industries like wind energy, electronics, automotives and others."

I really hope this means a carbon fiber flagship phone. I really don't like the cold feeling of metal. if Samsung goes this route, I'll do what I promised myself not to do, which is to upgrade next year.

What is your choice for ideal build material for a smartphone?

http://www.sglgroup.com/cms/international/press-lounge/news/2013/06/06202013_p.html?__locale=en

 

[JeffiJers]

going out on a whim here and saying Samsung will continue to build a phone mostly constructed as they are now. CF would not add and benefit other then bling factor.

 

[stroked]

They will be made from Bakelite, for that retro feel.

 

[PollyK]

CF would not add and benefit other then bling factor.

How about the fact that it's a premium material that responds to all the criticism of using "plastic" in a premium handset. This helps marketing the device. I would say that's a whole lot of added benefit considering so many people attribute Samsung's success to its marketing.

 

[F123D]

Keep the plastic back but add a metal frame around the edge. There's your premium.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I think they will keep the plastic for a while longer.

 

[Fireblade]

I think they will keep the plastic for a while longer.

I hope so, do not have a problem with it.

 

[maxosx]

There is a subtle yet significant improvement in the finish of my S4 as compared to my S3. Only one review of many has noted it. In addition the back cover has an improved fit & closeness that the S3 doesn't.

I remain open minded on materials as they all have their pros & cons. Of greater importance is fit and finish. I find that all the top of the line iOS & Android models are quite nice.

 

[Tarzanman]

How about the fact that it's a premium material that responds to all the criticism of using "plastic" in a premium handset. This helps marketing the device. I would say that's a whole lot of added benefit considering so many people attribute Samsung's success to its marketing.

How about the fact that carbon fiber interferes with RF signals? Instead of starting false rumors with absolutely no basis in fact, perhaps it would behoove you to do a little research.

 

[PollyK]

How about the fact that carbon fiber interferes with RF signals? Instead of starting false rumors with absolutely no basis in fact, perhaps it would behoove you to do a little research.

Really? Starting "false" rumors? lol. Do you even know what a rumor is? Anyways, please tell me what is not fact in my op that I was portraying as fact. BTW, did you even do any research yourself about this "rumour" before posting? Did you even read the OP? Did you even read the link? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Tip: stay away from rumor sites if you are so easily offended by rumors.

kthnxbye

 

[chagla]

plastic, carbon fiber, aluminum etc etc provide no additional functionality. its just the shell. i dont have problem with any. but i just hate seeing people trashing a device just because it's made of plastic.

 

[cynics]

Carbon fiber is pretty durable and lightweight. I'd hope they'd coat it with something though. I'm not big on the "bling" of exposed carbon fiber.

Getting around RF penetration issues wouldn't be an issue any more. Antenna could be placed toward the front or and external band, etc.

 

[skratch77]

Samsung would love to use carbon fiber but the main reason they used plastic was to be able to hit all markets at the same time.They would need to start making carbon shells today to be able to get 20 million made to launch the first month of gs5 phones for next year.

Its a lot easier for htc to use aluminum as it only sold like 2 million its first month while Samsung sold like 10 million.

its all up to how fast Samsung can make the parts.

My wish list for the gs5 is a 5in screen that is just a little better in power consumption and a little brighter and to shrink the bezel a little more on the top and bottom.

Throw in a snapdragon 800 an use carbon fiber would pretty much dominate all the haters out there but don't hold your breath for carbon this soon.

 

[Assault]

Carbon fiber is pretty durable and lightweight. I'd hope they'd coat it with something though. I'm not big on the "bling" of exposed carbon fiber.

Getting around RF penetration issues wouldn't be an issue any more. Antenna could be placed toward the front or and external band, etc.

Having worked with carbon fiber for years in the race industry I can tell you that this won't happen. Carbon fiber has to be a certain thickness for durability, needs a UV coating, plus a finish coating of some sort, most of which make the CF just as slippery as plastic. Carbon Fiber also stops NFC chips from talking to one another, so that would be another issue to iron out. Additionally, CF cracks under stress, especially if it is made too thin or dropped, and scratches extremely easily.

I am more likely to believe a plastic chassis, metal banding for antenna purposes and then a carbon Kevlar front and back plate. Carbon Kevlar allows for NFC transmission, has a higher tolerance to flex and stress fractures, and looks/feels very premium. Motorola had a phone with a battery cover made of this at one point.

 

[MRU]

Having worked with carbon fiber for years in the race industry I can tell you that this won't happen. Carbon fiber has to be a certain thickness for durability, needs a UV coating, plus a finish coating of some sort, most of which make the CF just as slippery as plastic. Carbon Fiber also stops NFC chips from talking to one another, so that would be another issue to iron out. Additionally, CF cracks under stress, especially if it is made too thin or dropped, and scratches extremely easily.
.

Was about to post something similar. Carbon Fibre looks great but is not the ideal material for a phone.

 

[JeffiJers]

How about the fact that it's a premium material that responds to all the criticism of using "plastic" in a premium handset. This helps marketing the device. I would say that's a whole lot of added benefit considering so many people attribute Samsung's success to its marketing.

define premium material, because what it currently is made out of is impressive.

Really? Starting "false" rumors? lol. Do you even know what a rumor is? Anyways, please tell me what is not fact in my op that I was portraying as fact. BTW, did you even do any research yourself about this "rumour" before posting? Did you even read the OP? Did you even read the link? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Tip: stay away from rumor sites if you are so easily offended by rumors.

kthnxbye

lol


Samsung should check out gold plated carbon fiber.. now thats where its at.

 

[lazard]

considering carbon fiber reduces reception by 40-60%...not the ideal material to use for your smartphone...and good luck getting NFC to work with it as well.

 

[strausd]

Keep the plastic back but add a metal frame around the edge. There's your premium.

The iPhone 3G and 3GS have a plastic back and chrome around the edges. It feels far from premium.

 

[cnev3]

I would love to see a phone made out of bamboo. Aside from being green, and looking cool, it's quite strong and durable, and it doesn't expand and retract from humidity and climate change like wood does. There's already one currently in production.

I have a t-shirt made from bamboo fiber. It's softer than any cotton shirt I own and its a couple degrees cooler than cotton.

I'd also love to have a bamboo bike frame, but they cost as much as a carbon fiber frame.

 

[Tarzanman]

Really? Starting "false" rumors? lol. Do you even know what a rumor is? Anyways, please tell me what is not fact in my op that I was portraying as fact. BTW, did you even do any research yourself about this "rumour" before posting? Did you even read the OP? Did you even read the link? Yeah, I didn't think so.

Tip: stay away from rumor sites if you are so easily offended by rumors.

kthnxbye

Hey, I read that apple has a new headquarters that looks like a space ship. Do you think that maybe their new phones will be made out of moon rocks and have a comet dust coating on the touch screen? I know absolutely nothing about science, so a moon-rock comet-dust phone seems completely feasible and practical.

Please don't tell me why a moon rock phone doesn't make any sense whatsoever because you will hurt my feelings.

 

[Menel]

So now that most high end phones are going metal, along with the attention HTC received for the One, I think it wouldn't be too far out there to think Samsung will move away from polycarbonate. I believe the Note 3 will be the last high end device from Samsung to be made of polycarbonate.

Samsung and SGL Group just entered into a joint venture.
"The joint venture targets applications in the markets for electronic products, wind blades, pressure vessels, automotive and household appliances in the Far East. The Asian carbon fiber market is expected to be sharply growing in Korea and China by over 20% per year. Currently the Korean market focuses on prepreg and sportive goods. In the future though, the market is to be expanded to a wider range of industries like wind energy, electronics, automotives and others."

I really hope this means a carbon fiber flagship phone. I really don't like the cold feeling of metal. if Samsung goes this route, I'll do what I promised myself not to do, which is to upgrade next year.

What is your choice for ideal build material for a smartphone?

http://www.sglgroup.com/cms/international/press-lounge/news/2013/06/06202013_p.html?__locale=en

Carbon Fiber. CFRP. Carbon Fibre Re-enforced Polymer. Polymer = plastic. It's carbon fiber weave held together by epoxy resins and thermosetting polymers.

While carbon fibre is a 'premium material', it will feel and look like plastic.

Sure, some manufacturers chose to leave the fiber weaves visible to the naked eye, many higher quality ones use Uni directional weaves, or painted in some way.

Glass, metals all have specific feel. Carbon fiber will be like holding plastic. There is no 'gain' other than by spec sheet.

Doesn't matter to me. Yea, the metal is nice, and the exterior antenna of iPhone's is clever. But metal or plastic, still putting them in cases *shrug*. What ever makes them thinner, and stronger to necessitate the smallest thinnest case is what I vote for.

My iPhone 5 with case is still smaller than S4. So I doubt there is any premium material that will fix that, rather than an entirely different design choices that avoid massiveness.

 

[PollyK]

Hey, I read that apple has a new headquarters that looks like a space ship. Do you think that maybe their new phones will be made out of moon rocks and have a comet dust coating on the touch screen? I know absolutely nothing about science, so a moon-rock comet-dust phone seems completely feasible and practical.

Please don't tell me why a moon rock phone doesn't make any sense whatsoever because you will hurt my feelings.

Wow, probably the dumbest thing posted to date on this forum. But if you're 9yrs old, you're forgiven.

 

[Jynto]

Wow, probably the dumbest thing posted to date on this forum. But if you're 9yrs old, you're forgiven.

Oh dear. Looks like Poe's Law has claimed another victim.

 

[0dev]

If you want carbon fibre on your phone buy a case.

 

[Explicitic]

Well they are getting ready to release design 3.0 either with the Galaxy Note 3 or GS5...