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I've owned every generation of iPhone since the 3GS, and definitely think this is being blown out of proportion. I have a 6 (4.7"), and don't have (and doint think I ever will have) any issues with this.

However, I will say that the Galaxy Note bend video [1] in (response to the iPhone 6 Plus bend test [2]) was impressive, and shows that while metal material is more stylish, plastic seems to be much more durable. Of course, I know these are far from scientific tests, but it still seems to show some sense of durability between the two.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwM4ypi3at0

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znK652H6yQM

2 comments

It's not really plastic vs. metal, it's plastic vs. aluminum. Steel would be a much better choice for strength, it's just heavy.

Absolutely right. I guess it's more like this:

  - Stylish
  - Durable
  - Lightweight

Pick two.

Well - Titanium. But then we get into issues with mass availability.

There are a number of magnesium alloys which while not as tanky as titanium would be I think would be viable contenders to construct the chassis out of. You could still use an aluminium skin as it's much more attractive usually.

I've never seen an aluminium skin on a magnesium alloy. Does that work?

I thought iPhones were normally designed to feel heavier (and therefore more expensive) than other phones. The 6 and 6+ both weigh more than the 5s, although I'm not sure how it "feels" given the bigger size (I haven't held one yet).

iirc, aluminum is actually stronger than steel if you calculate it per-unit-weight. So alternately they could've made it a bit thicker. Obviously, I'm a software guy and not a materials engineer.

Yes. Aluminum and stainless steel have very similar "Specific Strength" characteristics, though the steel is slightly stronger and has a much higher tensile strength. In a measure of stiffness, aluminum has a higher "Specific Modulus" than steel, and can often be constructed into forms that give it more "strength" (in the meaning overall rigidity) for a given weight.

I think the issue is mainly with the iPhone 6 Plus, not the 6.