Will the iPhone 4 Require a Case?
Apple announced the iPhone 4 at WWDC, as many of us know. With a whole new design, inside and out, Apple has touted their device as a revolution once again.
Already I digress. Apple said the iPhone 4's casing is made of glass, the same used in windshields of helicopters and trains, combined with bands made of an alloy five times stronger than steel. This product has been said by Apple to be extremely durable and scratch resistant. Because of this, it is called into question whether the iPhone 4 will require a case of some sort or a screen protector.
Perhaps Apple has already taken this into account, which is why they've created "Bumpers," their solution to drops and damage. Bumpers will only cover the edges of the device, basically the steel part. Will this be enough of a shock absorber to fully protect the device from scratches, cracks, bumps, and most importantly, damage to the internal hardware?
Sure, if it gets damaged, the iPhone won't look so pretty. However, people sometimes forget the fact that if the insides don't work, the outside will be worthless. Are these pieces of rubber strong enough to save the device when necessary?
Either way, these Bumpers won't protect the phone from water damage. The iPhone 4 has not been touted as waterproof. So, if you get water on the device, you're pretty much out of luck. Water + electronics = bad. It's easy to get past a cracked screen or busted edge, but water will kill the insides, no ifs, ands, or buts.
Also, though the casing is meant to be extremely scratch resistant, will it not crack under pressure? Windshields, though tested to ensure protection and durability, do still crack and can shatter! If that happens in the iPhone 4, will it still be a worthwhile investment?
Now, I may be entirely mistaken on all these accounts. Apple may very well have understood these things. After all, they recently dropped all products containing screen protectors from their stores. Might this be because the upcoming devices won't require them because they are so durable? Or, might it be because they trust in some people becoming careless and needing to buy more product? If this is the case, it's a great business move on Apple's part. From a consumer standpoint, it could not suck more.
This is not a definite one-way or the other argument! This is merely something to keep in mind when purchasing an iPhone 4. It is meant to be durable, but don't put it to your own variety of stress tests, as demonstrated by PC World magazine. Just, please, be careful with your iPhones, and enjoy them... don't destroy them.
Mike Khuraibet Jun 9, 2010 at 4:23 AM
Reader Comments (3)
Personally I believe the iPhone 4 will be able to withstand most things that life can throw at it. I have a 2nd gen iPod Touch and although I take good care of it, I have dropped and it has come out fine. I even took a set of keys to the screen. No damage at all. If the iPhone4 's new glass is better than anything we have seen on Apple's current devices, then I am quite confident they will cope quite well without a case.
You also make a good point about the water resistance.
I think the real test will come when people ask "will it blend"
the case is not really for protection because apple has said before that apple products are made for "use". The bumpers are more for look, so that people could have different looks of there iphones.
I have a first gen ipod touch and i dropped that thing on concrete and nothing happen to it, really wierd because my friend did the same thing except with his 2nd gen ipod touch. I think the 2nd gen is a lot cheaper than the 1st gen.
Yes, you're correct, those Apple bumpers won't protect the iPhone from nothing, the'll only make it more beautiful, i think.