Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Give people an iPhone 4S, tell them it's an iPhone 5

thenextweb.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 268 posts

Re: Give people an iPhone 4S, tell them it's an iPhone 5

#41

Post by fourmii »

notirk wrote: post #10
ollysb wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I never understand why people use cases. What's the point in preserving something in mint condition if you never see it without the case?

There are some slick thin cases available, they're not all Otter boxes. My $5 case for my Galaxy S3 has already saved my phone multiple times from inadvertent drops. Far cheaper than insurance from a carrier or purchasing a new unsubsidized phone. I think a slim, simple case is a no brainer on a $500+ device one uses all day long.

What case are you using?

Re: Give people an iPhone 4S, tell them it's an iPhone 5

#43

Post by smspence »

Tyrannosaurs wrote: post #5
ollysb wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I never understand why people use cases. What's the point in preserving something in mint condition if you never see it without the case?

It's not about preserving it in mint condition, it's about preserving it in usable condition. I can't speak for others but my case has saved my phone from a smashed screen on several occasions. EDIT: Should possibly also add that I have small children (1 and 3 - that's their ages rather than their names) who use it and I'm damned if I'm giving it to them without a case on...

"1 and 3 - that's their ages rather than their names"

Maybe it's still too early in the morning for me, but I laughed at that way harder than I should have. Haha, thanks for that.

Re: Give people an iPhone 4S, tell them it's an iPhone 5

#44

Post by xyzzyb »

ollysb wrote: post #3
raldi wrote: post #2

It seems like the people who say the "new" one is thinner, lighter, more elegant, etc, all have cases on their phones. So in essence, the case sets your phone back a generation or two.

I never understand why people use cases. What's the point in preserving something in mint condition if you never see it without the case?

I was the same way. Then I got a case/battery pack for my iPhone for a conference trip.

Wow, now I just love the ability to flip a switch and get another 5 or so hours of battery life.

Sure it's practically doubled the weight of the phone but the phone is already so light that I hardly notice.

Re: Give people an iPhone 4S, tell them it's an iPhone 5

#45

Post by bornhuetter »

Alex3917 wrote: post #40

It's now been over three years since the 3GS was released, and there's essentially zero difference between the 3GS and the iPhone 5. I honestly don't see any point in upgrading unless I drop my current one, which isn't likely.

> there's essentially zero difference between the 3GS and the iPhone 5.

Are you kidding? I'm no iOS fan, but I think that statement is a bit ridiculous.

Re: Give people an iPhone 4S, tell them it's an iPhone 5

#46

Post by runjake »

ollysb wrote: post #3
raldi wrote: post #2

It seems like the people who say the "new" one is thinner, lighter, more elegant, etc, all have cases on their phones. So in essence, the case sets your phone back a generation or two.

I never understand why people use cases. What's the point in preserving something in mint condition if you never see it without the case?

In my case, resale value. People buying used Apple products are picky, so I try to keep my stuff pristine. This allows me to get top dollar when I sell it every year and upgrade.

Re: Give people an iPhone 4S, tell them it's an iPhone 5

#47

Post by mikeash »

ollysb wrote: post #3
raldi wrote: post #2

It seems like the people who say the "new" one is thinner, lighter, more elegant, etc, all have cases on their phones. So in essence, the case sets your phone back a generation or two.

I never understand why people use cases. What's the point in preserving something in mint condition if you never see it without the case?

It's not about "mint condition". It's about not shattering the glass or otherwise destroying the phone if it falls onto a hard surface.

Re: Give people an iPhone 4S, tell them it's an iPhone 5

#48

Post by runjake »

benihana wrote: post #24
TillE wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> at full cost Apple will actually send you a new/refurbished iPhone 4S for just $199, much much less than the cost of a new unlocked no-contract phone. You just mail in the broken one. http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=servicefaq&geo=Un... I recently broke my iPad's screen (dropped it, completely smashed) and got a new one for about half the original price.

For most Americans, that is full cost for an iPhone. Even though it's technically the cost with a contract, I'd wager that 98% of all people who purchase iPhones purchase them subsidized by carriers with contracts.

So? What's your point?

The alternative is you buy a Samsung android phone or whatever and break it and end up paying the actual cost, which is normally $499 on the low end to $649 for the latest flagship phones.

A $199 replacement cost for a mistake I made sounds like a heck of a deal.

Re: Give people an iPhone 4S, tell them it's an iPhone 5

#49

Post by xsmasher »

ollysb wrote: post #3
raldi wrote: post #2

It seems like the people who say the "new" one is thinner, lighter, more elegant, etc, all have cases on their phones. So in essence, the case sets your phone back a generation or two.

I never understand why people use cases. What's the point in preserving something in mint condition if you never see it without the case?

I use one to make the phone less slippery. It no longer slides off my lap / out of my pocket / off my car seat.

Re: Give people an iPhone 4S, tell them it's an iPhone 5

#50

Post by lucian1900 »

bornhuetter wrote: post #37
eloisant wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Considering the number of iPhones with shattered screens that I see, I'm not sure "full glass" is the best form factor.

I didn't mean practical, I meant beautiful.

Who cares how beautiful it is if it's broken?
Post reply on HN