Can you believe it’s been almost two decades since the first iPhone revolutionized our lives? The iconic device has become synonymous with innovation and sleek design, but as its 20th birthday approaches, TechRadar raises a question: is an all-glass makeover the right way to celebrate a legacy of groundbreaking technology?
The Legacy of Steve Jobs’ Design Philosophy
Steve Jobs was a design and materials guy, and this influence is still seen today in Apple’s iconic stores and Apple Park, where the Steve Jobs Theater is wrapped in 22-foot-tall glass panes. This love of glass is the reason why your iPhone 16 screen is covered in Corning’s Gorilla Glass.
Influence of Joseph Eichler’s Glass Architecture
Jobs grew up around homes built by legendary architect Joseph Eichler, known for their signature feature: floor-to-ceiling glass exterior walls. This influence can be seen in the design of Apple Stores and Apple Park.
The Birth of Gorilla Glass on the Original iPhone
As recounted in Walter Isaacson’s biography of the late Apple CEO and founder, Steve Jobs hopped on the phone with Corning execs and convinced them to start making Gorilla Glass again, specifically for the first iPhone.
Rumors of an All-Glass iPhone Makeover
According to multiple rumors, the iOS-running device is due for a major makeover, one that might include a significant increase in the use of glass.
The Potential Design: A Bezel-Less, Glass-Covered Handset
According to GSM Arena, for this anniversary handset Apple might do away with the bezel, the thin black bar that currently runs around your Super Retina XDR display, completely. With the glass running not only to the edges of the phone but seemingly spilling over them to the sides, the effect would be as if the handset were made entirely of glass.
The Possibility of a Glass-Covered iPhone 19
This rumored design decision might have pleased Jobs, who loved beautiful design and exquisite materials. However, making the iPhone virtually all glass is not the right way to go.
For as good as Gorilla Glass is (most phones now use the Victus 2 formula, and some add a Ceramic covering for more strength), it’s still not as strong as metal, or even as resilient as plastic. Every phone I’ve tested and owned has scratches, sometimes significant ones, on the screen.
Imagine what it would be like owning a phone that’s all but dipped in glass. Glass along the edges, even if they’re curved, will be far too exposed. No one would ever dare carry such a phone unprotected, would they?
So why would Apple do this? As I said, they want to celebrate 20 years of the iPhone, and what better way to do it than with a design that’s too precious to hold or use.
I could see a ‘Special Edition iPhone 19’, one that’s covered in glass and which costs twice as much as the most expensive flagship. Few will buy it, but some will end up in museums and behind more glass inside glass-encased Apple Stores.
Those will be the perfect home for those iPhones, if Apple does insist on building them.
The Downsides of an All-Glass Design
The Fragility of Glass: Scratches, Breakage, and Vulnerability
While Corning’s Gorilla Glass has been a significant innovation in smartphone design, it’s still not as strong as metal or even as resilient as some materials. As a result, every phone I’ve tested and owned has scratches, sometimes significant ones, on the screen. I haven’t dropped these phones from a great height or dragged them across concrete, and yet they still have these blemishes.
Most people carry their iPhones in thick shock-proof cases to protect the comparatively fragile front and back glass. This is a necessary precaution, as the corners of a phone are especially vulnerable to breakage. A phone dropped just right on the pavement could lead to a shattered screen, and a costly repair.
The Necessity of Thick Shock-Proof Cases for Protection
Imagine what it would be like owning a phone that’s almost entirely dipped in glass. Glass along the edges, even if they’re curved, will be far too exposed. No one would ever dare carry such a phone unprotected, would they? This is why thick shock-proof cases have become a necessary accessory for many iPhone owners.
The Implications of an All-Glass iPhone
The Limited Appeal of a ‘Special Edition iPhone 19’
If Apple were to release an all-glass iPhone, it would likely be a “Special Edition iPhone 19”, one that’s covered in glass and costs twice as much as the most expensive flagship. Few people would buy it, but some might end up in museums and behind more glass inside glass-encased Apple Stores. Those would be the perfect home for those iPhones, if Apple does insist on building them.
The Potential for Museum-Worthy iPhones, Not for Daily Use
While an all-glass iPhone might be a beautiful design statement, it’s not a practical phone for daily use. It would be too fragile, too prone to scratches and breakage. Instead, it would be better suited to a display case, where it could be admired for its aesthetic appeal rather than its functionality.
Conclusion
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, it’s worth examining the recent suggestion of an all-glass makeover for the iconic device. The article argues that this proposed redesign is unnecessary, citing concerns over durability and the potential for costly repairs. Key points revolve around the iPhone’s already robust design, which has stood the test of time, and the environmental impact of producing and disposing of non-durable materials.
The significance of this topic lies in its implications for consumers, manufacturers, and the environment. A shift towards an all-glass design could result in increased e-waste, higher repair costs, and a compromised user experience. On the other hand, sticking with the current design could set a precedent for long-lasting, sustainable consumer electronics. As technology continues to evolve, the importance of environmental responsibility and responsible design will only grow. Future implications will likely center around the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and consumer expectations.
In conclusion, as the iPhone approaches its 20th milestone, it’s essential to prioritize design decisions that prioritize both form and function, as well as the long-term consequences of those choices. As technology continues to shape our lives, it’s time to rethink our approach to design and prioritize a future that’s both innovative and environmentally conscious. The next chapter in the iPhone’s story should be one of sustainability, not superficial upgrades.