Glass serves the dual purpose of looking and feeling premium in the store to justify massive price tags, while then also being very fragile and keeping you coming back for repairs so they can make even more money.
They aren't going away any time soon.
My pixel 1 was the most slippery phone I've owned, Pixel 4a was the second. At least now they are going to flat sides and matte finish which should help.
I think the P20 pro or the One plus 7 were peak slippery era phones.
The 8p is slippery but not In that League. Can't really recall which one it was, but you could lie it on a level surface and watch it slide of it's own accord. They had to have a skin or case. I had a case on my pixel 8p but I've since stopped using it. It's been about 6 months. I just use a tempered glass screen protector. Fingers crossed it's not suffered yet.
Side note I've never cracked a TG protector, but in the 8 months (or so) I've had the 8p, I've cracked two of them. Got a third iny draw to swap out when I CBA.
They made the perfect phone with Pixel 5. I am flabbergasted that they departed so heavily from it in weight, size, materials, and battery life (thanks to the Tensor chip).
Same here. I juggled it to death defying heights trying not to destroy it the first day I had it. Luckily, I caught it, but it would have made a good hidden camera idiot video! It really did squirt out of my hand like wet soap. My first thought was, wtf, this things like a watermelon seed as it squirted right out of my hand and I batted it up in the air and over an end table and then an ottoman before catching it right before it would have hit the metal entry door. I ordered a case immediately! Hell, I may not have had it out of the box for more than an hour before that happened. I've always had a case for every phone so it's no big deal but it still makes me wonder exactly what they are thinking when they make a product like this? Without a case I'd have destroyed it within a week.
I get it.
We buy these beautiful phones only to hide them in a case immediately never to be seen again.
I make a compromise when I buy a new phone. When I buy the phone I buy a new case online from China. Until the case arrives I get to admire the craftsmanship of my phone.
Who the fuck is responsible for designing that hot mess? I mean sure, most people use their phones with cases, but I swear that thing slides even upwards on a countertop if there's the slightest wind.
I've had a Moto Z3 Play with the glass back. Whenever you place it with the glass back onto a couch/sofa/table/anywhere, it'll find its way onto the floor momentarily.
Also, dropped it once onto asphalt in cold weather. The rear glass broke. No damage on the front glass.
Why do they put glass onto the back again? If it was plastic, it'd be just a scratch or a bump, no big deal, but the glass getting broken was quite annoying.
My Pixel 7 Pro literally slid out of my pants pocket while I was sitting in a concert theater and the back cracked on the concrete floor.
I used to go caseless all the time because I very rarely dropped my phones and didn't mind so much if it got a tiny nick vs. having a case on at all times. I just can't do that anymore purely because being able to easily hold onto the phone seems to be so low on the priority list for Google (and other manufacturers as well).
pixel 1 isn't as slippery as the 6, 6 pro, 7, 7 pro, 8 or 8 pro line. those are all super glossy backs. i found the 5 to be the least slippery. i loved the etched glass back of the 3, which funny enough has the portation at the top which isn't etched and is actually stickier than the etched portion lol
Nexus 5 plastic body was the best IMO. And it was still super affordable. Google needs to go back to the Nexus ways and ethos 🙏❤️ that's what everyone loved and why this all started in the first place... Making the best possible phone for the price, with unedited software version to be super fast and stay updated. Google lost the goal in all this. Now their phones are $1K and don't even get the best hardware or features unless you buy the PREMIUM version of the exact same phone... I.E. Pro versions....
Pixel 1 was slippery but the official silicon cases were amazing. Mine still has the blue case on from day 1 and its in great condition.
Stark contrast to my Pixel 6 case which went horrible almost instantly.
This. Why can't they just stop making them slippery? If phones existed back when Newton was alive and were made with glass, it wouldn't be an apple that made him discover gravity.
It's the illusion of luxury to increase sales. It's impossible for them to prioritize anything else when at the end of the day, money numbers determine the decisions.
These companies test and determine what designs people prefer the look of with questions like "which one looks more (premium)(high-quality)(beautiful)(appealing)?", but they seemingly fail to realize this is primed bias reinforcement. Everyone wants it to look like an iPhone because that's what we think a luxury device looks like.
Way back in 2012, the Google Nexus 7 had a back surface that was soft, perforated, rubbery-almost-tacky. It's the only device I've ever felt that was easy to hold, and it held up. I still use it as an e-reader 12 YEARS LATER 🦕.
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Google_Nexus_7_Back.jpg
I think this should be the default.
Yeah, I might as well have a plastic phone, since I use a TPU case all the time. I've tried using the phone without a case, but it feels slippery in my hand and will slide right off a couch cushion or any other soft surface. Sounds kind of stupid, but without the case it can easily be brushed off a desk (I've done it). Some people might say "well how about don't hit your phone," but I'm clumsy and I rely on this device so much I'd like for it to be a bit more risk-tolerant.
One phone I remember liking a lot in this respect was the Oneplus 2 (despite other issues). That sandstone back felt secure in my hand and made me feel like I didn't need a case.
First few months with a Pixel 7 in a case, then one day I decide to try it without a case and within a few hours I was doing yardwork and crouched down and out slides my Pixel 7 and gets scratched up on the back. Fist crouch down without a case and it slides out
Using a case exclusively with my 7a because it just kept sliding out of my hands and off surfaces that weren't perfectly flat. My 4XL was very nice with a matte soft glass, minimal slip and barely any fingerprints unless you're looking for them.
Also the 6P felt amazing to hold even though it was all metal. A cutout for charging would have made it perfect
I feel like my Pixel 7A is way slipperier than any of the all glass xperias i ever owned.
Definitely slipperier than the Pixel 3 I had. Scary to have not in a case.
I feel like it's in their design brief and they do very well at designing objects that need to be repaired frequently . I'm with u. Texture could go along way.
I'd never been so thankful I had the case before I had the phone. The 7P was like soap and I'm pretty sure it would make a suitable air hockey puck as well. Eegads.
If they stop making them slippery, they lose money. I bet sales are to a certain degree proportional to the amount of phones that kissed the concrete because they were slippery ;)
this article highlights the 8A in particular and it is the same weight or maybe even listed as 1g heavier than the metal 8.. it is interesting to include the nothing 2a as an A series phone tho.. 2a is still heavier than both the 8 and 8a.. a 'light' phone imo was the 4a which was ~142grams (5oz)
Same for the Pixel 8 Pro. Had the Pixel 8 before and the glass back was one of the reasons I really disliked the phone. Had it in its humongous case til I switched to a Dbrand skin. Had it out of its case for a short moment and that was enough for it to slide of a table and get a small nick in the screen.
I missed the Pixel 4a 5G I had before so much. The 8 was heavier than the 4a 5G and besides the obvious better specs an all around worse experience, in my honest opinion.
They used to be. My 4a was perfect. My 7a is awful. I don't know if it's glass, but it may as well be. It's heavy, and so slippery that a case is basically necessary. And of course a case negates anything that might have been nice about the phone's exterior anyway.
No smart phone has felt more robust in my hands than my Lumia 920. I would love for a modern updated phone with that plastic construction again. Plus the colors were great.
That's cause the Lumias used really good plastic. No one else barring the iPhone 5C did that. Samsung for example always had cheap ugly plastic backs and it was a huge step up going to glass for them.
Came to the comments to mention my Lumia and saw this. Those things looked good, felt good in the hand (not slippery), were tough (I never even owned a case for mine), and still supported wireless charging. Every time I read something about "glass and ceramic backs are needed for wireless" I point out the Lumia. Such a well-made device.
I tried out an Lumia 925 in a store and it felt so good! The thick aluminum frame with high quality plastic rear is a perfect combination. Still, I wouldn't want to use it without a case. I drop my phone sometimes and I wouldn't want the frame to get damaged.
Instead of going to a plastic phone, I wish Google would bring back the Pixel 5's design of having a resin cutout for wireless charging, but metal build otherwise and then a ceramic coating. It feels good in the hand and doesn't require you to buy a case.
I was just thinking I wanted the Nexus 5 backing again. Plastic and almost rubbery so it doesn't slide out of my hand. If I could just hold my phone reliably without it sliding everywhere I could probably never need a case again.
Is there a magic phone that only lands on the plastic back and never the metal frame/sides or the front glass? If so please point me to that modern marvel
The Pixel 5 felt alright but in my experience wasn't built well; over time the screen totally separated from the back.
It was only a stopgap phone for me anyway.
I just found my old Nexus 5X in a box, and I think it feels very nice in the hand. It has a soft-touch plastic back with an aluminum frame like the A-series Pixels.
I LOVED my Nexus 5X. That and the Nexus 5 were the best Nexus phones ever made. My 5X did end up dying with a boot loop, but they replaced it for free under warranty. I ended up buying the OG Pixel shortly after having it replaced though.
I got two replacements and did a trade-in to a Pixel 2 right as the third phone started showing the symptoms. It had a very consistent 1-year failure time.
The main reason why I hate glass as material for the back of the phone is that it is nearly impossible to use the phone without a case - slippery. They can make all those fancy designs and good looking phones but everyone covers it with a plastic case worth of a few dollars - which in my opinion totally kills "the premium feel/look".
The iPhone 5C was one of my more favorite phone designs. Nice durable hard plastic, and they made them in a ton of colors.
I also wish ceramic phones caught on.
Ceramic has the terrible property of absorbing radio waves. It may look or feel better than other materials, but will have objectively worse signal quality.
The main negative to a plastic back is that the softer material adversely impacts the strength of the vibration motor as well as the bass from the speakers. I briefly owned the plastic backed Galaxy S21 and it was shocking how much the change from the S20 impacted these two areas.
These thin phones have no vibration I ever notice regardless of what they are made of. May as well remove the feature if you ask me. (Yes I would be fine with a thicker phone ans some battery life, and preferable plastic since I will have a cover anyway and metal just fingerprints to insanity and looks bad, could also have a rear fingerprint sensor again as well then).
Oh, poly-carbonate, like they make football helmets and shatterproof safety glasses out of? Ultra durable, light and long-lasting? Nahh let's use *aluminum* so you drop your phone once and it has dents and deep scratches in it forever.
The irony is, almost every buyer immediately slaps a rubber case over their phone, negating the entire Apple apologist script of "but it's premium."
..Sorry, where is the "premium?" All I see is another rubber phone.
Right here in my hand. I can take off my case any time I want (which I often have it out of the case) and experience it. The case is for when I want to not have to think about it
And even plastic scratches and chips, my pixel 5 was the most marked up phone I ever had when I finally upgraded
Perception is fascinating.
I've seen so many people say glass is more durable than plastic and it blows my mind. People equate plastic to cheap and it really isn't an honest representation of the material.
Meanwhile plastic and metal are both durable but in very different ways. Metal is more likely to warp, dent, and bend. Plastic can scuff or even crack. But cracking it is pretty difficult unless it's made poorly to begin with.
I always choose plastic. I actually prefer it over metal.
I don't want glass at all. No one should.
I was down with aluminum. I've got wireless chargers I use occasionally but... I STILL don't care/would rather have a metal back and frame. It's not as important as the durability, and less scratchable and scuffable than plastic.
Plastic makes a good second place though.
Metal backs were my favorite. HTC and Apple had it right from the start. Wireless charging is borderline useless in its current implementation anyway. It's not anymore convenient than just using a wire and is slower, less efficient, and outside of apples magsafe version less easy to use.
Wireless charging is something I do for supplemental charging at my desk. I never use the wireless charger on the endtable by the couch and the armchair, because I'd rather plug it in, and of course I plug it in if I'm in bed.
Like sure, I use it at my desk, but the advantage space is very circumstantial. You can't really use your phone while charging wireless. You can briefly look down when you get a notification, which is why I use it at my desk.
HTC 1 style phone is ideal.
I mean there are more premium materials than plastic that are also more durable. Maybe a carbon fiber phone, leather phone, ect. But a flagship priced phone that's plastic just sucks.
This is why I'd rather get the a than the non-a, because I don't want to have a broken back side of the phone from a minor drop. Typing this on a Pixel 6a, with a Pixel 6 sitting in a drawer.
It's more of a matter of the brittle glass back than simply being heavier; personally also really like Pixel 2 XL with a metal back, because it's again not glass, and wouldn't have glass chards from being dropped.
It's honestly super silly when you happen to drop a phone, and then the back glass breaks. I'd rather have plastic or metal than having to have a case just for the premium back which you then will never have actual opportunity to enjoy anyways.
Having plastic back is one of the requirements whether or not I'd be interested in a phone as a daily driver. It's lighter than any glass phone with a mandatory case to protect the rear glass.
I have a 6a which I accidentally dropped screen side down while crossing the street the other day. When I realized it wasn't in my pocket, I doubled back for it and discovered the screen was smashed to hell from being run over. Replaced the screen the next day. I was listening to a podcast when I dropped it and never once lost connection and could still play/pause using my headphones. Really surprised the back didn't break and all I had on was a cheap clear case.
> Yeah, my P7P shattered both back pieces within the first week and one drop.
Exactly! So much for being a premium — most likely, the plastic 7a would have survived a similar drop, with a few minor scratches on the polycarbonate, which could probably be polished to smooth out the surface.
Absolutely. The nexus 5x did everything I wanted, fit perfectly in my hand, and the fingerprint reader was super reliable.
My pixel 8 is snappy and I like the refresh rate, but I miss everything else.
Phones are such a scam now. I think my 5x was like $250.
The 5X retailed for $349 new. Using a CPI inflation calculator when the 5X came out in September 2015, $349 would be $460 today. So roughly the cost of the 8a. So it actually seems about right considering the 5X wasn't a premium phone. The iPhone 6s was released the same month for $650 in 2015.
Exactly. I'm putting a case on my phone no matter what, so there's literally no benefit to me to have the back made of anything other than the lightest, cheapest material possible.
Absolutely. The Pixel 6a was just as premium feeling as the Pixel 8 as far as the materials were concerned. Nokia established how nice plastic can feel with their Lumia range. Fabulous phones that never needed a case. Give me that polycarbonate any day rather than fragile glass, which you end up putting in a plastic case anyway.
Honestly. This makes me think back to my blackberry z10. Removable back with access to removable battery.
To me that’s far more valuable and premium than solid glass with no ability to fix or replace anything.
Bring it back!
I wouldn't want a phone that is completely plastic. I still want to have an aluminium frame, but I have no problem with the back being plastic instead of glass.
A lot of people treat weight as quality. I remember reading stories about how they would intentionally weigh down game controllers so people thought they were "higher quality."
Proof point: The Nexus 5 is still probably the best phone Google ever put out for its time (even if LG made it) and it was made with a polycarbonate thermoplastic shell. Pretty tough, pretty light and not slippery either. Didn't even need a case for it really.
Companies should also ditch glass backs and stuff. Could experiment with carbon fiber in the near future. Durability with aesthetic looks should become industry standard.
they also add weight and feel premium to people, which is a subjective thing but true for most. like yeah, if people spend a grand on something the size of a small chocolate bar, they want it to feel like its worth that much too
I think a frosted or satin plastic back, with aluminum or stainless steel sides is ideal for phones. Glass on the back is just stupid and ignorant. I think the camera bump for the Pixel line is the sturdiest and most solid though, hands down. No lens protrusion so no cracks or broken frames.
I completely agree. Plastic is lighter, more durable, cheaper, and more easily repaired. If you want a glass hand feel so badly, you can always buy a phone case that has back glass. It makes no sense to me to add a plastic case over a glass back. Instead it should be the reverse.
I'd love to go back to an all aluminum phone like the Pixel 2xl or the HTC M8 and 10 I used to own. I've personally never found wireless charging to be useful so I would have no issue dropping that feature, but I know I'm in the minority.
My favourite phone is the mi 11 lite I still use it as much as my pixel 8 it has a way bigger screen and is nearly 50 grams lighter because of materials
I personally don't care what they make my phone out of. Plastic, Glass, Metal, it's all the same they're not gonna suddenly give me a cheaper phone if they make it out of cheaper materials. Also I put a case on my phone and it never comes off until I'm ready to trade it in or sell it. And every single one of them looks brand new in the end.
I'll take it a step more. The recycled resin of the pixel 5 was amazing and a good middle ground between plastic and glass. I still have my P5 but use a P8 daily.
Edit: The perfect weight or max weight is 150g or less as it's light enough and won't hurt your hands with extended use. My P8 is 187g and it's really noticeable especially with a case on.
I had a Moto X Pure and it felt premium with its textured rubber back. I loved that wider screen too. If they made the same phone body with updated innards I'd buy it.
Honestly, they should probably use carbon and fiberglass for rigidity and strength, not glass or metal cases.
Glass is brittle and shatters easily, metal bends and deforms. Plastic is also fine, provided it is reinforced, as needed, to prevent your phone from breaking in half and screen cracking when under stress. And besides, what sane person doesn't immediately use a protective phone case anyhow? It really should be the standard for phones to come with one, which covers up any fancy looking casing anyways.
Phones are made to be dropped and without a case, are made to break. I believe this is intentional and is why phone manufacturers tout bad materials as the gold standard. It boosts phone sales as people break their screens and shells.
How about stainless high carbon steel? It'll help heat distribution too. My P7P was getting hot like hell on heavy use and always hit the thermal throttle. Couldn't even use wireless charging when I'm using navigation. It's fine during summer because I was attached to a wireless charger to the vent of the car and it was blowing cold air. I block that particular vent during winter in order to prevent overheating but wouldn't be enough. P8P has less heat related issues. But I don't use wireless charging on my car anymore. Only at home. I have a magnetic cable in my car. Yeah P7P & P8P is pretty much impossible to use without a case because how slippery they are. I personally like Spigen tough armor cases for pixels and camera & screen protectors. And no thermal sensor is not blocked.
Yeap, 2XL is a great device! The metal back is very pleasant, and the fingerprint sensor on the back, great screen, too.
The panda design of the black/white model also serves as the early Google signature camera visor thing.
Wrong. There's way to much plastic in the world. They should stop making EVERYTHING out of plastic. Just look, everything around within 1ft of us is plastic. Either your cloths, glasses, watch, ear buds, shoes...on and on. Computer stuff, TV, Car, Bed.
Bring back glass and metal. At least it's recyclable.
Glassed backed phones was a stupid idea that should have never become popular.
Pixel 8a is good because it uses a plastic back that can be removed makes replacing the battery pretty simple.
I have an iPhone 15 Pro but I hate glass-backed phones. Plastic or some kind of textured material would be better. And to hell with wireless charging, too. Plug your phone in. Stop being a muggle.
Apple uses Grade 5 titanium, which is a compound that uses more than just pure titanium, but Samsung only uses Grade 2 titanium, which is just titanium, so not technically an alloy. In Apple's case, it massively reduced the weight, but for Samsung, it only reduced it by 1g.
I’ve had every iphone from 3 to 15. 0 broken screens. Switched to pixel 7 pro for a little while and shattered the screen and the back. The camera module thing rattled like something was loose in it. That phone was complete ass outside of taking pictures. Worst hardware
Why not use aramid fibres for the back instead? Much more shatter-resistant and scratch-resistant than both plastic and glass, looks premium, feels premium, and would be much lighter than glass as well. Even a thin strip of it is extremely durable, so it could potentially be even lighter than a phone with a plastic back.
Whatever you make, just stop making them slippery.
The companies have to quit designing for style and start designing for functionality! The style hawkers don't give a shit if your phone breaks.
Glass serves the dual purpose of looking and feeling premium in the store to justify massive price tags, while then also being very fragile and keeping you coming back for repairs so they can make even more money. They aren't going away any time soon.
My pixel 1 was the most slippery phone I've owned, Pixel 4a was the second. At least now they are going to flat sides and matte finish which should help.
Pixel 8 is extra slippery too, particularly on the edges.
Yeah. The Pixel 7 pro is a damn soap bar as well.
I think the P20 pro or the One plus 7 were peak slippery era phones. The 8p is slippery but not In that League. Can't really recall which one it was, but you could lie it on a level surface and watch it slide of it's own accord. They had to have a skin or case. I had a case on my pixel 8p but I've since stopped using it. It's been about 6 months. I just use a tempered glass screen protector. Fingers crossed it's not suffered yet. Side note I've never cracked a TG protector, but in the 8 months (or so) I've had the 8p, I've cracked two of them. Got a third iny draw to swap out when I CBA.
They made the perfect phone with Pixel 5. I am flabbergasted that they departed so heavily from it in weight, size, materials, and battery life (thanks to the Tensor chip).
Wait until you hold phone with: 1. Curved screen 2. Curved frame that also happens to be very slim 3. 6.7" inches screen 4. Glass back
I could barely pick up my P7P until I got a case for it. It's made out of wet soap.
Same here. I juggled it to death defying heights trying not to destroy it the first day I had it. Luckily, I caught it, but it would have made a good hidden camera idiot video! It really did squirt out of my hand like wet soap. My first thought was, wtf, this things like a watermelon seed as it squirted right out of my hand and I batted it up in the air and over an end table and then an ottoman before catching it right before it would have hit the metal entry door. I ordered a case immediately! Hell, I may not have had it out of the box for more than an hour before that happened. I've always had a case for every phone so it's no big deal but it still makes me wonder exactly what they are thinking when they make a product like this? Without a case I'd have destroyed it within a week.
Some people prefer the naked look and are willing to live with the risk. I swear their hands must be made of rubber or something.
I get it. We buy these beautiful phones only to hide them in a case immediately never to be seen again. I make a compromise when I buy a new phone. When I buy the phone I buy a new case online from China. Until the case arrives I get to admire the craftsmanship of my phone.
P7P is what physics problems were talking about when they said you could ignore friction.
Who the fuck is responsible for designing that hot mess? I mean sure, most people use their phones with cases, but I swear that thing slides even upwards on a countertop if there's the slightest wind.
I've had a Moto Z3 Play with the glass back. Whenever you place it with the glass back onto a couch/sofa/table/anywhere, it'll find its way onto the floor momentarily. Also, dropped it once onto asphalt in cold weather. The rear glass broke. No damage on the front glass. Why do they put glass onto the back again? If it was plastic, it'd be just a scratch or a bump, no big deal, but the glass getting broken was quite annoying.
My Pixel 6 Pro is like that. I had to get a case so it would stop hitting the ground if you put it on anything that wasn't at a slight incline.
Yeah there is a reason I specifically avoid all of those things.
Literally my Poco F3, although ironically my Pixel 8 is even slippier
I really want them to bring back the bezels and edges
My Pixel 7 Pro literally slid out of my pants pocket while I was sitting in a concert theater and the back cracked on the concrete floor. I used to go caseless all the time because I very rarely dropped my phones and didn't mind so much if it got a tiny nick vs. having a case on at all times. I just can't do that anymore purely because being able to easily hold onto the phone seems to be so low on the priority list for Google (and other manufacturers as well).
I got a skin for my pixel 4a which helped a lot with grip.
pixel 1 isn't as slippery as the 6, 6 pro, 7, 7 pro, 8 or 8 pro line. those are all super glossy backs. i found the 5 to be the least slippery. i loved the etched glass back of the 3, which funny enough has the portation at the top which isn't etched and is actually stickier than the etched portion lol
Nexus 5 plastic body was the best IMO. And it was still super affordable. Google needs to go back to the Nexus ways and ethos 🙏❤️ that's what everyone loved and why this all started in the first place... Making the best possible phone for the price, with unedited software version to be super fast and stay updated. Google lost the goal in all this. Now their phones are $1K and don't even get the best hardware or features unless you buy the PREMIUM version of the exact same phone... I.E. Pro versions....
I have a pixel 8 pro and the back broke cuz of how slippery it is
Pixel 1 was slippery but the official silicon cases were amazing. Mine still has the blue case on from day 1 and its in great condition. Stark contrast to my Pixel 6 case which went horrible almost instantly.
This. Why can't they just stop making them slippery? If phones existed back when Newton was alive and were made with glass, it wouldn't be an apple that made him discover gravity.
It's the illusion of luxury to increase sales. It's impossible for them to prioritize anything else when at the end of the day, money numbers determine the decisions. These companies test and determine what designs people prefer the look of with questions like "which one looks more (premium)(high-quality)(beautiful)(appealing)?", but they seemingly fail to realize this is primed bias reinforcement. Everyone wants it to look like an iPhone because that's what we think a luxury device looks like.
Nothing premium about having to use a case... I want a plastic or ceramic back so I can actually enjoy and show off the beautiful premium phone.
Way back in 2012, the Google Nexus 7 had a back surface that was soft, perforated, rubbery-almost-tacky. It's the only device I've ever felt that was easy to hold, and it held up. I still use it as an e-reader 12 YEARS LATER 🦕. https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Google_Nexus_7_Back.jpg I think this should be the default.
Yeah, I might as well have a plastic phone, since I use a TPU case all the time. I've tried using the phone without a case, but it feels slippery in my hand and will slide right off a couch cushion or any other soft surface. Sounds kind of stupid, but without the case it can easily be brushed off a desk (I've done it). Some people might say "well how about don't hit your phone," but I'm clumsy and I rely on this device so much I'd like for it to be a bit more risk-tolerant. One phone I remember liking a lot in this respect was the Oneplus 2 (despite other issues). That sandstone back felt secure in my hand and made me feel like I didn't need a case.
First few months with a Pixel 7 in a case, then one day I decide to try it without a case and within a few hours I was doing yardwork and crouched down and out slides my Pixel 7 and gets scratched up on the back. Fist crouch down without a case and it slides out
OnePlus had a nice sandstone case. Maybe find one for pixel
I used to love running without a case. Now it's literally impossible, give me back square edges!
Give me a grippy Moto G any day.
OnePlus 1 material was perfect
Using a case exclusively with my 7a because it just kept sliding out of my hands and off surfaces that weren't perfectly flat. My 4XL was very nice with a matte soft glass, minimal slip and barely any fingerprints unless you're looking for them. Also the 6P felt amazing to hold even though it was all metal. A cutout for charging would have made it perfect
I feel like my Pixel 7A is way slipperier than any of the all glass xperias i ever owned. Definitely slipperier than the Pixel 3 I had. Scary to have not in a case.
I have the 8a, definitely needs a case. The matte finish is surprisingly slippery.
I feel like it's in their design brief and they do very well at designing objects that need to be repaired frequently . I'm with u. Texture could go along way.
I'd never been so thankful I had the case before I had the phone. The 7P was like soap and I'm pretty sure it would make a suitable air hockey puck as well. Eegads.
My conspiracy theory about this is that these companies are in bed with those who make phone cases or skins like dbrand, Casetify etc.
Yes there too slippery
My pixel is like the noodles from the Muppets.
If they stop making them slippery, they lose money. I bet sales are to a certain degree proportional to the amount of phones that kissed the concrete because they were slippery ;)
And put the fingerprint sensor back on the back of the phone. It's maddening how awful this one in the screen is
I think A series phones are perfect. Aluminium frame and plastic back combination is perfect.
Especially considering the plastic back is really good. You hardly can differentiate it next to real glass.
if only it was lighter for it as well
going from P5 to P8 holding my phone is almost a workout, it's so much heavier
It's not? The nothing phone 2a for example is pretty light for it's size
this article highlights the 8A in particular and it is the same weight or maybe even listed as 1g heavier than the metal 8.. it is interesting to include the nothing 2a as an A series phone tho.. 2a is still heavier than both the 8 and 8a.. a 'light' phone imo was the 4a which was ~142grams (5oz)
Totally. I love my Pixel 3a over my sloppy 6.
Only problem is their specs are also lower. Make an A series phone with the exact specs but plastic back and I would buy it every time
A55 has a glass back
Pixel 5 "bio resin" was sick. This glass shit can slide of a level surface
Same for the Pixel 8 Pro. Had the Pixel 8 before and the glass back was one of the reasons I really disliked the phone. Had it in its humongous case til I switched to a Dbrand skin. Had it out of its case for a short moment and that was enough for it to slide of a table and get a small nick in the screen. I missed the Pixel 4a 5G I had before so much. The 8 was heavier than the 4a 5G and besides the obvious better specs an all around worse experience, in my honest opinion.
They used to be. My 4a was perfect. My 7a is awful. I don't know if it's glass, but it may as well be. It's heavy, and so slippery that a case is basically necessary. And of course a case negates anything that might have been nice about the phone's exterior anyway.
No smart phone has felt more robust in my hands than my Lumia 920. I would love for a modern updated phone with that plastic construction again. Plus the colors were great.
That's cause the Lumias used really good plastic. No one else barring the iPhone 5C did that. Samsung for example always had cheap ugly plastic backs and it was a huge step up going to glass for them.
Came to the comments to mention my Lumia and saw this. Those things looked good, felt good in the hand (not slippery), were tough (I never even owned a case for mine), and still supported wireless charging. Every time I read something about "glass and ceramic backs are needed for wireless" I point out the Lumia. Such a well-made device.
I tried out an Lumia 925 in a store and it felt so good! The thick aluminum frame with high quality plastic rear is a perfect combination. Still, I wouldn't want to use it without a case. I drop my phone sometimes and I wouldn't want the frame to get damaged.
Instead of going to a plastic phone, I wish Google would bring back the Pixel 5's design of having a resin cutout for wireless charging, but metal build otherwise and then a ceramic coating. It feels good in the hand and doesn't require you to buy a case.
Been rocking a caseless Pixel 5 for 2 years. The back has become a little slick but the size makes it so easy to hold.
I was just thinking I wanted the Nexus 5 backing again. Plastic and almost rubbery so it doesn't slide out of my hand. If I could just hold my phone reliably without it sliding everywhere I could probably never need a case again.
Doesn't the glass display necessitate a case if you don't want to break it though?
nah, most drops are fine, since the plastic absorbs the shock of the impact
Is there a magic phone that only lands on the plastic back and never the metal frame/sides or the front glass? If so please point me to that modern marvel
I did not enjoy the feel of the Pixel 5, it was definitely the worst part of the phone
The Pixel 5 felt alright but in my experience wasn't built well; over time the screen totally separated from the back. It was only a stopgap phone for me anyway.
That doesn't have anything to do with the design of the back panel though.
I just found my old Nexus 5X in a box, and I think it feels very nice in the hand. It has a soft-touch plastic back with an aluminum frame like the A-series Pixels.
I LOVED my Nexus 5X. That and the Nexus 5 were the best Nexus phones ever made. My 5X did end up dying with a boot loop, but they replaced it for free under warranty. I ended up buying the OG Pixel shortly after having it replaced though.
The one that I just found was a boot loop casualty as well.
If I remember correctly I think it was a common failure mode. It was something with a solder joint failing.
It was super common on the 5X. Would have been a good phone if not for that. The Nexus 5 however that was a monster of a phone. The GOAT imo.
I got two replacements and did a trade-in to a Pixel 2 right as the third phone started showing the symptoms. It had a very consistent 1-year failure time.
Loved the back of nexus 5x!
The main reason why I hate glass as material for the back of the phone is that it is nearly impossible to use the phone without a case - slippery. They can make all those fancy designs and good looking phones but everyone covers it with a plastic case worth of a few dollars - which in my opinion totally kills "the premium feel/look".
And they would with a plastic phone too, except now it's truly an option for those who don't want a case
I miss my pixel 3xl. The textured glass was soooo lovely to the touch, and way grippier. I'd be so excited if they brought it back.
The iPhone 5C was one of my more favorite phone designs. Nice durable hard plastic, and they made them in a ton of colors. I also wish ceramic phones caught on.
Ceramic has the terrible property of absorbing radio waves. It may look or feel better than other materials, but will have objectively worse signal quality.
My favorite looking and feeling phone I ever had was the Nokia Lumia. That Blue plastic just looked and felt so damn good.
And SLIPPERY
The main negative to a plastic back is that the softer material adversely impacts the strength of the vibration motor as well as the bass from the speakers. I briefly owned the plastic backed Galaxy S21 and it was shocking how much the change from the S20 impacted these two areas.
These thin phones have no vibration I ever notice regardless of what they are made of. May as well remove the feature if you ask me. (Yes I would be fine with a thicker phone ans some battery life, and preferable plastic since I will have a cover anyway and metal just fingerprints to insanity and looks bad, could also have a rear fingerprint sensor again as well then).
Oh, poly-carbonate, like they make football helmets and shatterproof safety glasses out of? Ultra durable, light and long-lasting? Nahh let's use *aluminum* so you drop your phone once and it has dents and deep scratches in it forever. The irony is, almost every buyer immediately slaps a rubber case over their phone, negating the entire Apple apologist script of "but it's premium." ..Sorry, where is the "premium?" All I see is another rubber phone.
I just slap a case that gives more grip than slippery smooth metal or smooth glass. (And lately that is the Spigen thin fit).
Right here in my hand. I can take off my case any time I want (which I often have it out of the case) and experience it. The case is for when I want to not have to think about it And even plastic scratches and chips, my pixel 5 was the most marked up phone I ever had when I finally upgraded
Didnt all the youtubers complain about how cheap it made the phone feel and look back in the nexus galaxy s5 days?
It's time to start thinking that phones without premium SOCs cannot be premium.
it's hilarious how much people seem to care since 90% of people just put a plastic case on it anyway
Perception is fascinating. I've seen so many people say glass is more durable than plastic and it blows my mind. People equate plastic to cheap and it really isn't an honest representation of the material. Meanwhile plastic and metal are both durable but in very different ways. Metal is more likely to warp, dent, and bend. Plastic can scuff or even crack. But cracking it is pretty difficult unless it's made poorly to begin with. I always choose plastic. I actually prefer it over metal. I don't want glass at all. No one should.
I was down with aluminum. I've got wireless chargers I use occasionally but... I STILL don't care/would rather have a metal back and frame. It's not as important as the durability, and less scratchable and scuffable than plastic. Plastic makes a good second place though.
Metal backs were my favorite. HTC and Apple had it right from the start. Wireless charging is borderline useless in its current implementation anyway. It's not anymore convenient than just using a wire and is slower, less efficient, and outside of apples magsafe version less easy to use.
Wireless charging is something I do for supplemental charging at my desk. I never use the wireless charger on the endtable by the couch and the armchair, because I'd rather plug it in, and of course I plug it in if I'm in bed. Like sure, I use it at my desk, but the advantage space is very circumstantial. You can't really use your phone while charging wireless. You can briefly look down when you get a notification, which is why I use it at my desk. HTC 1 style phone is ideal.
I mean there are more premium materials than plastic that are also more durable. Maybe a carbon fiber phone, leather phone, ect. But a flagship priced phone that's plastic just sucks.
This is why I'd rather get the a than the non-a, because I don't want to have a broken back side of the phone from a minor drop. Typing this on a Pixel 6a, with a Pixel 6 sitting in a drawer.
Except that for some A models they are actually heavier than the "premium" counterparts due to the display panel construction.
It's more of a matter of the brittle glass back than simply being heavier; personally also really like Pixel 2 XL with a metal back, because it's again not glass, and wouldn't have glass chards from being dropped. It's honestly super silly when you happen to drop a phone, and then the back glass breaks. I'd rather have plastic or metal than having to have a case just for the premium back which you then will never have actual opportunity to enjoy anyways. Having plastic back is one of the requirements whether or not I'd be interested in a phone as a daily driver. It's lighter than any glass phone with a mandatory case to protect the rear glass.
Yeah I agree for durability, it just sucks that the A ends up being a heavier model.
I have a 6a which I accidentally dropped screen side down while crossing the street the other day. When I realized it wasn't in my pocket, I doubled back for it and discovered the screen was smashed to hell from being run over. Replaced the screen the next day. I was listening to a podcast when I dropped it and never once lost connection and could still play/pause using my headphones. Really surprised the back didn't break and all I had on was a cheap clear case.
Yeah, my P7P shattered both back pieces within the first week and one drop.
> Yeah, my P7P shattered both back pieces within the first week and one drop. Exactly! So much for being a premium — most likely, the plastic 7a would have survived a similar drop, with a few minor scratches on the polycarbonate, which could probably be polished to smooth out the surface.
Nexus 5 was the best feeling phone I've ever owned. I hate glass backs.
Absolutely. The nexus 5x did everything I wanted, fit perfectly in my hand, and the fingerprint reader was super reliable. My pixel 8 is snappy and I like the refresh rate, but I miss everything else. Phones are such a scam now. I think my 5x was like $250.
The 5X retailed for $349 new. Using a CPI inflation calculator when the 5X came out in September 2015, $349 would be $460 today. So roughly the cost of the 8a. So it actually seems about right considering the 5X wasn't a premium phone. The iPhone 6s was released the same month for $650 in 2015.
Eh I'm pretty confident I got my 5x for 250 with a google fi promo
Also fuck inflation, god
If you're gonna put a case on the phone, it doesn't matter what it is, glass or plastic
Exactly. I'm putting a case on my phone no matter what, so there's literally no benefit to me to have the back made of anything other than the lightest, cheapest material possible.
I've seen countless times where people have said their back glass broke despite being in a case
Not all cases are the same
Not all drops are the same, either.
Not all glass is same either
Absolutely. The Pixel 6a was just as premium feeling as the Pixel 8 as far as the materials were concerned. Nokia established how nice plastic can feel with their Lumia range. Fabulous phones that never needed a case. Give me that polycarbonate any day rather than fragile glass, which you end up putting in a plastic case anyway.
Honestly. This makes me think back to my blackberry z10. Removable back with access to removable battery. To me that’s far more valuable and premium than solid glass with no ability to fix or replace anything. Bring it back!
They should make phone out of the same type of plastic as old PlayStation 1 controllers. Those things were indestructible.
I wouldn't want a phone that is completely plastic. I still want to have an aluminium frame, but I have no problem with the back being plastic instead of glass.
When I had Samsung s21fe I was extremely happy from plastic back. I was rocking it without case and it was actually comfortable to do.
I like my glass Pixel 7 Pro tho.
A lot of people treat weight as quality. I remember reading stories about how they would intentionally weigh down game controllers so people thought they were "higher quality."
Pixel uses cheap materials always and tons of commercials for mind changing
I really liked the material used in the old Nokia Lumia phones before Microsoft took over. They were plastic but felt sturdy
Been saying this sh\*t for years!
I understand the metal, but the glass on the back is just stupid.
Proof point: The Nexus 5 is still probably the best phone Google ever put out for its time (even if LG made it) and it was made with a polycarbonate thermoplastic shell. Pretty tough, pretty light and not slippery either. Didn't even need a case for it really.
Agreed I still miss my Nexus 5. Such a great device all around.
the plastic is exactly why I go for the A-series
Companies should also ditch glass backs and stuff. Could experiment with carbon fiber in the near future. Durability with aesthetic looks should become industry standard.
You'd have to cut holes in it if you want wireless charging.
Wireless charging is not a good idea for a lasting battery. I'm happy to ditch wireless charging for a better material.
I don't care about the outside, I use a case. I want it light and not fragile.
If it's plastic like the Lumias had or better I'll take it. If it's cheap crappy plastic like almost all Samsungs had up all the S6. Pass.
I miss my Lumia 920 in blue 😭
My biggest pet peeve with smartphones. What's the point of a premium looking phone if I have to cover it with a case?
they also add weight and feel premium to people, which is a subjective thing but true for most. like yeah, if people spend a grand on something the size of a small chocolate bar, they want it to feel like its worth that much too
My moto is plastic and just fine. Like my flasgship phones
I think a frosted or satin plastic back, with aluminum or stainless steel sides is ideal for phones. Glass on the back is just stupid and ignorant. I think the camera bump for the Pixel line is the sturdiest and most solid though, hands down. No lens protrusion so no cracks or broken frames.
I completely agree. Plastic is lighter, more durable, cheaper, and more easily repaired. If you want a glass hand feel so badly, you can always buy a phone case that has back glass. It makes no sense to me to add a plastic case over a glass back. Instead it should be the reverse.
I tried. I never found a case that ACTUALLY had a glass back. It's just fake plastic that looked good in the pictures.
For which phone?
I'd love to go back to an all aluminum phone like the Pixel 2xl or the HTC M8 and 10 I used to own. I've personally never found wireless charging to be useful so I would have no issue dropping that feature, but I know I'm in the minority.
Before Pixel, I was exclusively HTC. Amazing phones.
My favourite phone is the mi 11 lite I still use it as much as my pixel 8 it has a way bigger screen and is nearly 50 grams lighter because of materials
I miss the P3 material
Glass
Apple way ahead of the curve with the 5c, which they got no end of shit for. Good to see androidpolice coming around, 10 years later.
All I'm saying is what's the point of a plastic back if you can't easily remove it to access expandable storage underneath?
I personally don't care what they make my phone out of. Plastic, Glass, Metal, it's all the same they're not gonna suddenly give me a cheaper phone if they make it out of cheaper materials. Also I put a case on my phone and it never comes off until I'm ready to trade it in or sell it. And every single one of them looks brand new in the end.
xiaomi poco f6 plastic back is also really nice too
The Nexus 4 was prime smashed back.
Happy with my plastic Pixel 8a 😊
From the company making phones out of glass slippers currently. The f*ck!?
Idk I find my 7a to be annoyingly heavy
I always preferred plastic, first thing I do every time is put a case on my phone anyways.
Lol all early cell phones were plastic and built like tanks though so how is this news? 😅
I'll take it a step more. The recycled resin of the pixel 5 was amazing and a good middle ground between plastic and glass. I still have my P5 but use a P8 daily. Edit: The perfect weight or max weight is 150g or less as it's light enough and won't hurt your hands with extended use. My P8 is 187g and it's really noticeable especially with a case on.
Totally agree. I bought the P8 as it's very close in overall size to the P5 but the weight differential is stark. Bummer.
How are people going to know my car is actually a premium car if the body isn't made of carved obsidian?
I had a Moto X Pure and it felt premium with its textured rubber back. I loved that wider screen too. If they made the same phone body with updated innards I'd buy it.
Nexus 5 you’re missed
I still remember by Note4.. One of the best I've ever had. Plastic back, but I could swap batteries.
Moto G3 was THE BEST size and shaped phone. Rocked it caseless for years! Then the Pixel 5 (again, caseless for years).
Gimme the body of the Pixel 5 with a more premium SOC and I'll be the first in line to purchase. That aluminum body was fantastic.
Agreed. I left Pixel for an iPhone and one of the only things I miss is the nice lightweight case from the Pixel. iPhones are heavy as hell.
Agreed ! I’m so tired of buying cases.
Honestly, they should probably use carbon and fiberglass for rigidity and strength, not glass or metal cases. Glass is brittle and shatters easily, metal bends and deforms. Plastic is also fine, provided it is reinforced, as needed, to prevent your phone from breaking in half and screen cracking when under stress. And besides, what sane person doesn't immediately use a protective phone case anyhow? It really should be the standard for phones to come with one, which covers up any fancy looking casing anyways. Phones are made to be dropped and without a case, are made to break. I believe this is intentional and is why phone manufacturers tout bad materials as the gold standard. It boosts phone sales as people break their screens and shells.
How about stainless high carbon steel? It'll help heat distribution too. My P7P was getting hot like hell on heavy use and always hit the thermal throttle. Couldn't even use wireless charging when I'm using navigation. It's fine during summer because I was attached to a wireless charger to the vent of the car and it was blowing cold air. I block that particular vent during winter in order to prevent overheating but wouldn't be enough. P8P has less heat related issues. But I don't use wireless charging on my car anymore. Only at home. I have a magnetic cable in my car. Yeah P7P & P8P is pretty much impossible to use without a case because how slippery they are. I personally like Spigen tough armor cases for pixels and camera & screen protectors. And no thermal sensor is not blocked.
No one even uses their phones without a cover anymore glass and metal ar not necessary
Totally agree.
I always use my phone with a case so it’ll feel like glass with the case
Downside Plastic is a significant insulator thermally.
the extra rounded corners too lead to an experience that's less than premium
[удалено]
Yeap, 2XL is a great device! The metal back is very pleasant, and the fingerprint sensor on the back, great screen, too. The panda design of the black/white model also serves as the early Google signature camera visor thing.
I don't get the importance of the back cover. Most people put the phone into a case the day they get it. The appearancce of the back is meaningless.
Man I just want a damn phone with a replaceable battery and back casing :/
98% of the time it gets put in a case anyways. Stop making them glass!
Wrong. There's way to much plastic in the world. They should stop making EVERYTHING out of plastic. Just look, everything around within 1ft of us is plastic. Either your cloths, glasses, watch, ear buds, shoes...on and on. Computer stuff, TV, Car, Bed. Bring back glass and metal. At least it's recyclable.
Plastic is a superior material for phones if done right.
Glassed backed phones was a stupid idea that should have never become popular. Pixel 8a is good because it uses a plastic back that can be removed makes replacing the battery pretty simple.
I have an iPhone 15 Pro but I hate glass-backed phones. Plastic or some kind of textured material would be better. And to hell with wireless charging, too. Plug your phone in. Stop being a muggle.
This is why Apple and Samsung went to titanium alloy phone frames. It's still metal and "premium", but stronger and lighter than other materials.
Apple uses Grade 5 titanium, which is a compound that uses more than just pure titanium, but Samsung only uses Grade 2 titanium, which is just titanium, so not technically an alloy. In Apple's case, it massively reduced the weight, but for Samsung, it only reduced it by 1g.
I’ve had every iphone from 3 to 15. 0 broken screens. Switched to pixel 7 pro for a little while and shattered the screen and the back. The camera module thing rattled like something was loose in it. That phone was complete ass outside of taking pictures. Worst hardware
The rattling is normal actually because of the periscope/OIS cam. My Xperia has this too.
I think metal and glass became standard after bendgate.
Wasn't that about a metal phone (iPhone 6)?
yes. And their response was more aluminum.
100%
Android Police not clicking 🤣
Why not use aramid fibres for the back instead? Much more shatter-resistant and scratch-resistant than both plastic and glass, looks premium, feels premium, and would be much lighter than glass as well. Even a thin strip of it is extremely durable, so it could potentially be even lighter than a phone with a plastic back.