New iphone... just look at those chamfers!

[renfield33]

I thought this was funny since everyone on the vintage forum obsesses about chamfers... it is listed as a key design feature on the phone!

Straight from the website (http://www.apple.com/iphone/design/)

"Look at iPhone 5 and you can’t help but notice the exquisite chamfer surrounding the display. A crystalline diamond cuts this beveled edge. It’s what gives iPhone 5 its distinctive lines. Fitting for a phone so brilliant."

[77T]

The video of the process is straight out of the Rolex vault of watch case milling machines. Like they stole the storyboard.

Now when they fabricate with a 3D printer...that'd be worth watching an iPhone rise from a spool of ilk.

[jolimont]

but how is the reception? That's all I care about

Iphone 4s+vodafone=

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by renfield33

"Look at iPhone 5 and you can’t help but notice the exquisite chamfer surrounding the display. A crystalline diamond cuts this beveled edge. It’s what gives iPhone 5 its distinctive lines. Fitting for a phone so brilliant."

You know, I'm thinking that the world is kind of over the case-design features of cell phones.

Sure the the iPhones look great, but anyone with more brains than money is going to put some kind of ugly and/or gaudy protective cover on his phone, regardless of the brand or how much time, effort and money went into its design and manufacture.

I think that at this point, especially with devices that will be obsolete in less than a year and will be bargain basement in two years, that all people really want is performance.

Look around, everyone has a cover for their phone and you really have to be pretty astute to see what kind of phone is under all that polycarbonate and silicone.

[Demosthene]

Originally Posted by jolimont

but how is the reception? That's all I care about

Iphone 4s+vodafone=

Contact the telecommunications ombudsman and get them to break your contract with Vodaphone.
http://www.tio.com.au/

So not worth putting up with that company for a second!

[Speed]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

You know, I'm thinking that the world is kind of over the case-design features of cell phones....

...I think that at this point, especially with devices that will be obsolete in less than a year and will be bargain basement in two years, that all people really want is performance.

So that's your opinion. Clearly not based on data projected data at any rate.

The sales of the new iPhone is predicted by JP Morgan analysts to add one-quarter to one-half of a percentage point to the GDP. Here is an opinion based on data:
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/20...ter-the-g-d-p/

Clearly a lot of folks have / do and will care about design, functionality, features...as well as performance.

While the iPhone may not be the best performing phone, people are fiends for it's meticulous / minimalist design...among other things.

Do you own a cell phone? Which model?

[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by reviewer

This iPhone is also significantly thinner, at just 7.6mm, and its form feels precise, like it’s been made in a watch factory.

It is 18% thinner to be precise. No a huge percentage.

At the same time there are different watch factories. Given that the iPhone is made in China, perhaps the reviewer was equating it to a Chinese watch factory.

Anyway it is a step in the right direction for Apple, just not as big of a step that many may have hoped to see.

[InTime]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

You know, I'm thinking that the world is kind of over the case-design features of cell phones.

Sure the the iPhones look great, but anyone with more brains than money is going to put some kind of ugly and/or gaudy protective cover on his phone, regardless of the brand or how much time, effort and money went into its design and manufacture.

I think that at this point, especially with devices that will be obsolete in less than a year and will be bargain basement in two years, that all people really want is performance.

Look around, everyone has a cover for their phone and you really have to be pretty astute to see what kind of phone is under all that polycarbonate and silicone.

^ i do not cover my phone. nor does my co-worker. i know many people who do not cover their phone as well.

[InTime]

its funny 1/2 of all americans are a few paychecks away from poverty and or already in poverty.

and yes some of them own 3g or 4g or 4s iphones.

[Lol-x]

The best thing for me about the new phone are the new earpods. They look awesome in such an ergonomic design. I will definitely buy a set as soon as they are available.

Very reasonably priced and according to Apple produce an amazing sound. I can't wait for those

[dalip]

I'm liking all they've said about it. Faster...slimmer design..elongated so as to add size but not remove one hand operation....All plus points.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by InTime

^ i do not cover my phone. nor does my co-worker. i know many people who do not cover their phone as well.

My post was intended as a generalization.

Obviously, I don't have the means to poll all cellphone users.

It remains my opinion that performance is becoming the deciding factor more that mystic and cosmetics.

At one time, iPhone performance and exterior design were the double whammy for Apple.

I believe that external design is becoming less of a whammy than before.

There was a lot of criticism in the media of the Galaxy SIII for its "flimsy" build, which is not really true, but the perception is there that lightweight is cheap, regardless of the strength of the material.

However, that has not hindered sales of the SIII.

Yes, there are those who are influenced by such things, but I believe that it is less important than it was based on my observation.

For example, the iPhone 5 has a sapphire crystal over the camera lens.

That's a nifty touch that sounds very nice and given the chamfer and the sapphire, certain among us will be impressed, but really, has anyone had a problem with a damaged camera lens?

One way to prevent that kind of damage is to put a cover on the phone to protect the whole phone.

My post was not intended to reflect the preferences of all cell users at this particular time, but was intended to present my perception of what will be the increasing preference of the public concerning performance in a market that is moving faster than most people's cellphone contracts.

[sleddog]

I have a sneaking suspicion Apple is going to be reducing my wallet in the near future....
I just hope Santa comes early, or is very generous to me this year!

[dalip]

Originally Posted by sleddog

I have a sneaking suspicion Apple is going to be reducing my wallet in the near future....
I just hope Santa comes early, or is very generous to me this year!

I thought all moderators got one automatically Rob

[esm]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Look around, everyone has a cover for their phone and you really have to be pretty astute to see what kind of phone is under all that polycarbonate and silicone.

How about the personal enjoyment?

It's abit like wearing a Rolex, either only at home or have it under the shirt cuff most times. You are the only one know there is a Rolex under the shirt cuff and no one else matters....

[bayerische]

I'll be pre-ordering mine tomorrow! (hopefully)

[mailman]

Originally Posted by dalip

I thought all moderators got one automatically Rob

[HL65]

Originally Posted by sleddog

I have a sneaking suspicion Apple is going to be reducing my wallet in the near future....
I just hope Santa comes early, or is very generous to me this year!

Mine too Rob!!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by dalip

I thought all moderators got one automatically Rob

[Pix]

Imagine a cyclops over each app!

[SLRdude]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

You know, I'm thinking that the world is kind of over the case-design features of cell phones.

Sure the the iPhones look great, but anyone with more brains than money is going to put some kind of ugly and/or gaudy protective cover on his phone, regardless of the brand or how much time, effort and money went into its design and manufacture.

I think that at this point, especially with devices that will be obsolete in less than a year and will be bargain basement in two years, that all people really want is performance.

Look around, everyone has a cover for their phone and you really have to be pretty astute to see what kind of phone is under all that polycarbonate and silicone.

I just cannot put a case on a phone, especially the iPhone. Like you said, too much went into the design for it to be covered by a cheap case.

It's a good looking phone, why uglify it?

It's like dating a super model then cover her with a potato sack every time you are in public.

[rolio]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

Yes, give them an iPhone 5

[looking to buy]

I cannot imagine a phone without a case. I drop them all the time.

[Kingair]

A lot of people are saying that it's not 'that' what they expected . . .

Maybe they are right . . . but just a little bit . . .

I wonder what % of the disappointed customers are now ordering the iPhone 5 ?

So who is actually disappointed ?

;-)

HAGONe

[kilyung]

I'm getting it just because it's 18% thinner and 20% lighter... sounds like me after my diet!

[Tri-Tip]

I'd say 1 out of 25 people I see with an iPhone have a cracked screen and don't want to pay $500+ to get a new one, so they just live with it.

I'd rather have a phone (or any technology product) that is one generation or one update behind to know that it's stable. Never buy a car the first year of a new model or signficiant redesign, not have the latest O/S until it has a few rounds of updates, etc.

[Igerswis]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

I'd say 1 out of 25 people I see with an iPhone have a cracked screen and don't want to pay $500+ to get a new one, so they just live with it.

I'd rather have a phone (or any technology product) that is one generation or one update behind to know that it's stable. Never buy a car the first year of a new model or signficiant redesign, not have the latest O/S until it has a few rounds of updates, etc.

In the UK you can exchange a damaged iPhone from an Apple store. They will replace it with a refurbished model for around £120-130. I'm assuming it's similar in the US.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by SLRdude

It's a good looking phone, why uglify it?

Well, the simple reason is that the phone is way expensive and dropping phones is almost a national pastime, so protecting the phone seems to make sense.

As already stated, I cannot do a scientific survey, so I have to use some deductive reasoning.

I have met a few folks over the years who've dropped and broken their iPhones and have either had to get them fixed or have had to just use them as is. I also note that an awful lot of people consider a cover to be cheap and effective insurance.

I'm not saying that the iPhone isn't beautiful, because it is beautiful. It's one of those things that Apple does extremely well.

I'm just noting the fact that the cellphone turnover cycle is becoming so rapid and the competition between Apple and Android strong enough that any phone loses its wow factor in a year or less.

Again, I'm using my crystal ball and noting the things above and the fact that the latest and greatest phones performance-wise are really getting more attention than external beauty.

I don't think that Apple is in danger of killing its fan-base, I just think that performance will be king at least until performance peaks out and then esthetics may rule the day.

I also would note that our membership is not a very good sample from which to judge, as we are on the whole more affluent than the garden-variety cellphone user and we put a great deal of emphasis on esthetics and performance in combination.

That is why many, or possibly most of us, are drawn to luxury watches and luxury items in general.

I hope that clarifies my position, as I don't want to hijack the thread any more than to offer a brief tangential view.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

I'd say 1 out of 25 people I see with an iPhone have a cracked screen and don't want to pay $500+ to get a new one, so they just live with it.

I notices that too

Had my iPhone 3GS screen replaced last year in the US and paid $ 99.00 . . . it took 8 minutes to get the job done.

But I guess the 4S screen is probably triple priced . .

HAGT

[TSW]

I cant wait to have my new iPhone!!