4 causes Apple ought to make a brand new plastic iPhone just like the iPhone 5c

Famously or infamously, Apple prefers to focus on a “premium” market with most of its merchandise, significantly the

iPhone
. The corporate does not typically elaborate on what meaning — however in apply, it appears to contain concentrating on middle- and upper-class patrons with high-quality specs and supplies. Nobody wants an A18 processor to test their e mail, browse Instagram, or play

Balatro
. Likewise, nobody wants titanium or airplane-grade aluminum, provided that among the most sturdy telephones ever constructed — like the unique Nokia 3310 — have been primarily made out of plastic.

There’s solely been one plastic iPhone to this point, 2013’s iPhone 5c. It was Apple’s first try at a “price range” cellphone, and the corporate rapidly modified methods, as an alternative selecting to place out merchandise just like the iPhone SE and the

iPhone 16e
. However I really feel like there’s nonetheless quite a lot of potential for plastic, and this is why.

1

iPhone costs are spiraling out of attain

And so they’re most likely about to soar larger

It is no secret that purchasing a brand new iPhone may be prohibitively costly. Even the iPhone 16e begins at $599, and that is earlier than equipment like a case, a charger, or earbuds. When you choose up an iPhone 16 Professional, you are spending upwards of $1,000, doubtlessly as a lot as you’ll on a MacBook Professional in the event you get a fully-equipped 16 Professional Max. In the meantime, the corporate has formally dropped the iPhone SE, which had a extra affordable $429 pricetag.

I am shocked on the variety of individuals on the fitness center I see with Professional iPhones — however nonetheless, Apple could also be pushing increasingly more individuals in the direction of older or refurbished fashions, which generate much less cash and shut off entry to the newest options. The state of affairs may worsen this fall, with the distinct chance of worth hikes for the

iPhone 17
lineup if the Trump administration does not again down on international tariffs. Certainly, there could possibly be hikes anyway, since Apple prefers excessive revenue margins and has stored costs static for years.

A plastic iPhone can be cheaper to supply and promote whereas conserving patrons up-to-date on specs. I would not count on Apple to make use of plastic on Professional models, and even vanilla ones, however the materials may make a 17e or 18e extra financially tempting than discovering a used iPhone 15 Professional on websites like eBay or Fb.

Associated

Apple GymKit: What it is and how to use it

When you use put on an Apple Watch and use cardio machines on the fitness center, GymKit may enhance the accuracy of your exercise log.

2

Folks need higher colour choices

Midnight is not a colour, Apple

Apple / Pocket-lint

There is a shiny enchantment to aluminum and titanium, however it’s additionally inherently harder to churn out steel frames in vibrant colours. We have now seen exceptions — I actually appreciated my yellow iPhone XR, for instance, and the uncommon situations of Product RED iPhones — however for a very long time now, Apple’s palette has consisted largely of pastels and offset shades of black, white, and gold. The aesthetic is wise {and professional}, however not very thrilling. Even legal professionals and accountants needs to be allowed to show just a little aptitude from time to time.

Plastic shells would make it simpler to churn out thrilling appears to be like. Apple ought to most likely skip the neon inexperienced choice it provided for the iPhone 5c, however I feel lots of people would immediately gravitate in the direction of telephones in deep blue or pink, or possibly forest inexperienced. I might definitely purchase a burnt orange iPhone — as would quite a lot of Longhorns followers in Texas, or individuals who like autumnal tones.

Associated

The 7 must-have tech tools for travel I always keep in my bag

In case your philosophy is to journey gentle, these are the seven tech instruments that ought to at all times be in your bag.

Physics to the rescue

Apple / Pocket-lint

Steel does present extra structural rigidity, however that is not at all times the most suitable choice for shielding costly electronics. When a cellphone hits one thing, or vice versa, that kinetic power has to go someplace. Steel does not distribute power very properly, so more durable impacts can create dents, doubtlessly even damaging inner elements if a dent goes deep sufficient. Steel additionally has the potential of bending completely, as some iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Professional patrons are all too conscious. Glass backs can scale back a few of these threats — however with the brand new problems with scratching and cracking.

There is a cause many pre-iPhone gadgets used plastic past worth. Plastic is versatile. If it is thick sufficient, it even bounces. It could actually nonetheless scratch, however that is a small tradeoff for worrying much less about your cellphone while you drop it on tile or concrete. And even that is not a lot of a risk lately, provided that most individuals are going to slap their iPhone in a case regardless. These instances are sometimes made out of plastic too, I ought to level out.

Associated

5 ridiculously useful CarPlay apps you probably haven’t heard of

Spotify and Google Maps should not be holding you prisoner.

4

Lighter telephones are higher telephones

With out sacrificing options or grip, that’s

Whereas Apple is getting ready a number of new iPhone fashions this yr, an important is more likely to be the

iPhone 17 Air
or Slim — we’ll have to attend and see what it is truly known as. The gist, although, is that it ought to use a mix of latest battery tech and doable function sacrifices to attain an extremely skinny body, like Samsung’s

Galaxy S25 Edge
. I am unsure who’s crying out for that, however it needs to be a formidable piece of engineering nonetheless, making iPhones much more transportable. The Air is liable to be the template for iPhones to come back, very like the iPhone X set the stage for each mannequin we’ve got now.

You already know what’s additionally gentle, although? Plastic. Weight is a smaller cause to modify supplies, provided that few individuals complain about how heavy iPhones are, however I might gladly take plastic if it meant a lighter product with none function sacrifices, worth hikes, or elevated possibilities of bending. I am not a fan of most ultra-thin gadgets anyway, since I want a certain quantity of actual property for a safe hand grip. And my iPhone 16 Professional already matches comfortably in my pockets, thanks very a lot. I do not need thinness only for the sake of being impressed.

You may additionally like

Everything you need to know about PEVs, or personal electric vehicles

You should use PEVs to discover, run errands, or pace up your commute.