I see so many people obsessing over looks and what kind of materials are used in a phones build and I don't get it. The vast majority of people then take their phones and put them in a $20 case from a mall kiosk. You don't sit there staring at your naked phone, ok, maybe some do but most don't. S who cares what it's made out of or the lines in the design?
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Why are design and build so important to some?
- Thread starter johnjefferson
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Given a choice, do you date an attractive partner or make do with a pig ugly one because they wear fancy clothes.
At some point the clothes come off.
Joking asside, its subjective and comes down to same personal preferences that govern food, clothes, perfume/aftershave, hair cut etc... Subjective opinions and personal preferences.
At some point the clothes come off.
Joking asside, its subjective and comes down to same personal preferences that govern food, clothes, perfume/aftershave, hair cut etc... Subjective opinions and personal preferences.
I never use cases, except for the iPhone 4/4s (because of the antenna issue and the glass back). So the feel of the devise is important since it's probably the devise I use the most.
Also, while I prefer metal (always have since the razr) I have no problem with plastic.
Also, while I prefer metal (always have since the razr) I have no problem with plastic.
To me, design means ergonomy.
For example, I don't like the curved profile of some Xperia phones, but I ended up getting an Xperia T because it fits perfectly in my hand thanks to its design.
Build is also critical. I remember having some nice looking and potentially awesome mobiles that were crippled by poor keys and disgraceful cheap plastic body.
For example, I don't like the curved profile of some Xperia phones, but I ended up getting an Xperia T because it fits perfectly in my hand thanks to its design.
Build is also critical. I remember having some nice looking and potentially awesome mobiles that were crippled by poor keys and disgraceful cheap plastic body.
I am actually guilty of being one of those form over function guys and will use phones naked and risk dings and scratches just to please my eyes. Aesthetics is a big thing for me which keeps me away from phones such as the nexus or galaxy series. It all comes down to personal preference I guess.
All smartphone looks like a slab with the screen taking up the whole front (not like old days where we have candybar, slider or flip). So there is so little to distinguish one phone from another.
So I dont care about design. Function is more important.
So I dont care about design. Function is more important.
For me it's part of the user experience. How the device looks and feels in your hand is important because it's the first thing you notice when you pick it up in the morning.
Nowadays where there really doesn't need to be a compromise in form and function it's hard to see why people wouldn't put an emphasis on build. Especially when these devices are so expensive to begin with.
Nowadays where there really doesn't need to be a compromise in form and function it's hard to see why people wouldn't put an emphasis on build. Especially when these devices are so expensive to begin with.
The same reasons why people obsess over the looks of cars, or other electronic devices - Its important to them.
I can see why people use cases because the phone is used everyday and you want to protect if from wear and tear, i.e., scratches and scuffs.
Right, but you don't buy a Ferrari and then cover it up with an ugly, cheap plastic body kit to avoid it getting scuffed up. That's pretty much what people do with their phones though.
Well I do see sports cars being covered in the driveway, bumper guards for those cars in the city I live and of course those car bras to protect the front end. Maybe not a lot but enough to say that people do what it takes to protect their cars.
If you're spending a lot of money on a phone, I understand why people buy cases to protect the fit and finish. Many people do the same thing with their laptops as well.
Just because you see little value in doing this, means others do. I spent a lot of money on my phone and to be honest, I want it to be in pristine condition and the case does just that. I'd rather have a cheap 20 dollar case getting scuffed up then my phone. For one thing it helps my resale
Some people just prefer what the perceive as high quality when held in the hand.
Why get a $5000+ watch when you can get a 80 dollar watch that does more? Just what people prefer and since its their money I don't think there is a problem with that at all.
I prefer function over form but better yet both.
Why get a $5000+ watch when you can get a 80 dollar watch that does more? Just what people prefer and since its their money I don't think there is a problem with that at all.
I prefer function over form but better yet both.
The people who REALLY care about the style and form of their phones really don't though. Most people who immediately slap a case on the phone either don't care (and just bought they phone because they liked it) or have lives/children that could potentially damage the device. I see plenty of iPhone5s and HTC Ones that are naked on a regular basis.
I'm one of "those people" who cares about design, and my 4S is naked 95% of the time. I think the majority of hardcore Apple design fans are the same way.
Would you rather buy a Lenovo ThinkPad or a Dell Inspiron laptop? One is solid and the other one feels like a flimsy piece of ****.
I agree with the OP on this one. Most phones I see have cases on them so it really doesn't matter if it's metal, plastic or some buzz word to describe the "build" of the phone. I don't understand the analogy of a car or a watch because you don't cover them up when in use. Yes you can cover a car with a car cover when not driving it but once in use there is no cover, you can put your watch in a case to protect it while not wearing it but once on your wrist you don't have a rubber bumper on it. As far as I know (and from my own exp) I have a slim case on my iPhone and never take it out of the case. So honestly I don't even care what the back looks like. It could be made out of puke green pixy dust for all I care.
Now for the people who run their phones naked I can totally understand they go for the look, feel and build "quality" of their phones. But for me personally it's the probably the last thing on my check-list when getting a phone. Usually it's something like "wow this phone looks nice, too bad I have to slap a case on it to protect it and hide how awesome it really looks". Honestly I'd rather have a plastic S4 type of body so I don't need to have a case (since I'm a brute when it comes to protecting my phones and would destroy an iPhone without a case).
I do appreciate design and look but I'm more a function over form kind of guy when it comes to a phone. Laptops, cars, watches, clothes and other toys I am sometimes more function over form, but since I am always covering up the phones anyway, I go for function first.
Now for the people who run their phones naked I can totally understand they go for the look, feel and build "quality" of their phones. But for me personally it's the probably the last thing on my check-list when getting a phone. Usually it's something like "wow this phone looks nice, too bad I have to slap a case on it to protect it and hide how awesome it really looks". Honestly I'd rather have a plastic S4 type of body so I don't need to have a case (since I'm a brute when it comes to protecting my phones and would destroy an iPhone without a case).
I do appreciate design and look but I'm more a function over form kind of guy when it comes to a phone. Laptops, cars, watches, clothes and other toys I am sometimes more function over form, but since I am always covering up the phones anyway, I go for function first.
I'm probably in the minority but I like holding the S3 and Note 2 more than the iPhone 5. With the S3 and Note 2 I loved using them without a case but I can't stand using the iPhone 5 without a case. To each is own but I do chuckle a bit when people talk about build quality and how much Samsung sucks then their next post is about the 10th case they bought for their iPhone.
Design and build are more like a bonus to me.
I want speed/smoothness, battery life, great screen, and camera, as my top choices when searching for a phone.
Also as little bloat as possible. I never cared about OEM "enhancements" ever since i have been purchasing windows PCs. First thing i do is strip the OEM copy and load my own windows lol.
Sadly, loading stock android on OEM skinned devices isn't as easy as loading plain windows on any desktop. The trade-offs are always a hindrance.
I want speed/smoothness, battery life, great screen, and camera, as my top choices when searching for a phone.
Also as little bloat as possible. I never cared about OEM "enhancements" ever since i have been purchasing windows PCs. First thing i do is strip the OEM copy and load my own windows lol.
Sadly, loading stock android on OEM skinned devices isn't as easy as loading plain windows on any desktop. The trade-offs are always a hindrance.
I've always put a case on my phones so, while design and build quality; as subjective as the last item may be, are important, they take a back-seat to the usability of the device according to my needs.
Your device needs are likely different than mine so it's sad that we can, and usually do, get into endless and, frankly asinine, debates about elusive criteria that make up "build quality". At the end of the day, these devices serve a purpose; they are communication and media consumption tools. Sadly, for some they are also a means to self validation - filling a void in their life.
Don't get me wrong, I like quality made goods and I have a very active nerd gene; that's why I visit sites like these. I am, however, thankful that my self esteem isn't indexed to a device that buzzes in my pocket!
Your device needs are likely different than mine so it's sad that we can, and usually do, get into endless and, frankly asinine, debates about elusive criteria that make up "build quality". At the end of the day, these devices serve a purpose; they are communication and media consumption tools. Sadly, for some they are also a means to self validation - filling a void in their life.
Don't get me wrong, I like quality made goods and I have a very active nerd gene; that's why I visit sites like these. I am, however, thankful that my self esteem isn't indexed to a device that buzzes in my pocket!
Given a choice, do you date an attractive partner or make do with a pig ugly one because they wear fancy clothes.
At some point the clothes come off.
At what point does the case come off a phone? Most people who put cases on leave them on all the time. If they do take it off, it would be to put another case on and not use the phone naked.
It is subjective. It's something that I find is part of the user experience initially. However, after using the phone for a while, I find that how it looks externally becomes less and less important. What is important is for the phone to do what I need it to do as a phone rather than how the phone physically looks and feels.
Given a choice, do you date an attractive partner or make do with a pig ugly one because they wear fancy clothes.
At some point the clothes come off.
Joking asside, its subjective and comes down to same personal preferences that govern food, clothes, perfume/aftershave, hair cut etc... Subjective opinions and personal preferences.
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