Give people an iPhone 4S, tell them it's an iPhone 5 • Hacker News Board

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

#11

Post by josefresco » Thu, Sep 13, 2012, 2:39 PM UTC

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?

The point in "preserving" your iPhone is so you don't have to purchase another one, at full cost if you accidentally drop it and it breaks. My slim case while more simple than most, has saved my iPhone countless times.

I could care less if my phone gets dinged, or scratched a bit, but complete failure is an expensive fix.

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

#12

Post by mrhyperpenguin » Thu, Sep 13, 2012, 2:41 PM UTC

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?

People are poor. Some people can't afford to replace their phone if it becomes damaged.

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

#13

Post by naz » Thu, Sep 13, 2012, 2:41 PM UTC

Even better -- that's actually an iPhone 4 (notice the black band by the headphone socket).

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

#14

Post by antirez » Thu, Sep 13, 2012, 2:42 PM UTC

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.

true but if you are like me and your phone falls on the floor like one time per week on average, it's better to have a bumper...

IMHO the problem of the iPhone (and many other similar designs) is that's not designed for people with average care for their stuff (after all I live with my phone, I don't want to be obsessed) without using a bumper.

It would be interesting, but not marketing wise, to get real and design a phone that you can actually trow on the floor with consequences comparable to having a bumper, but NOT needing a bumper.

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

#15

Post by graeme » Thu, Sep 13, 2012, 2:45 PM UTC

ktizo wrote: post #7

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?

Make something covered in glass that people are going to carry in their pocket. This makes people worry about scratching the phone, they want to take care of the phone, to protect it. This triggers an emotional bond with the product.

That explains screen protectors. It doesn't necessarily explain cases.

I drop my phone about once per week. And I've cracked a screen in the past. I like being able to continue to use my phone.

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

#16

Post by dkoch » Thu, Sep 13, 2012, 2:46 PM UTC

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?

My iPhone seems to slip out of my pocket without a case/bumper. The silicone case gives it a bit more friction that prevents it from sliding out.

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

#17

Post by archangel_one » Thu, Sep 13, 2012, 2:47 PM UTC

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...

Depends where you set the bar for usable. I'm continually surprised at how many people I see using iphones with smashed screens on trains or the Tube.

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

#18

Post by brown9-2 » Thu, Sep 13, 2012, 2:50 PM UTC

graeme wrote: post #15

ktizo wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Make something covered in glass that people are going to carry in their pocket. This makes people worry about scratching the phone, they want to take care of the phone, to protect it. This triggers an emotional bond with the product.

That explains screen protectors. It doesn't necessarily explain cases. I drop my phone about once per week. And I've cracked a screen in the past. I like being able to continue to use my phone.

Why do you think a case makes the phone unusable? This is not my experience at all. What type of case are you thinking of specifically?

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

#19

Post by TillE » Thu, Sep 13, 2012, 2:51 PM UTC

josefresco wrote: post #11

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?

The point in "preserving" your iPhone is so you don't have to purchase another one, at full cost if you accidentally drop it and it breaks. My slim case while more simple than most, has saved my iPhone countless times. I could care less if my phone gets dinged, or scratched a bit, but complete failure is an expensive fix.

> 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.

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

#20

Post by bornhuetter » Thu, Sep 13, 2012, 2:54 PM UTC

antirez wrote: post #14

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.

true but if you are like me and your phone falls on the floor like one time per week on average, it's better to have a bumper... IMHO the problem of the iPhone (and many other similar designs) is that's not designed for people with average care for their stuff (after all I live with my phone, I don't want to be obsessed) without using a bumper. It would be interesting, but not marketing wise, to get real and design a…

You can throw many Android phones around without worrying, but a lot of people write them off as "plasticky".

I personally don't mind plastic if it's done well (eg. SGS2/3), but metal and glass does feel nice in the hand.