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, notably the

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

Balatro
. Likewise, nobody wants titanium or airplane-grade aluminum, on condition that a number of 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 date, 2013’s iPhone 5c. It was Apple’s first try at a “funds” cellphone, and the corporate shortly 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 loads of potential for plastic, and this is why.

1

iPhone costs are spiraling out of attain

And so they’re in all probability about to soar greater

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 case 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 stunned on the variety of individuals on the fitness center I see with Professional iPhones — however however, Apple could also be pushing increasingly 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 might 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 saved 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 anticipate Apple to make use of plastic on Professional models, and even vanilla ones, however the materials might make a 17e or 18e extra financially tempting than discovering a used iPhone 15 Professional on websites like eBay or Fb.

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2

Individuals need higher colour choices

Midnight is not a colour, Apple

Apple / Pocket-lint

There is a shiny attraction to aluminum and titanium, however it’s additionally inherently more durable to churn out metallic frames in vibrant colours. We’ve seen exceptions — I actually favored my yellow iPhone XR, for instance, and the uncommon cases 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 smart {and professional}, however not very thrilling. Even attorneys and accountants must be allowed to show a little bit aptitude once in a while.

Plastic shells would make it simpler to churn out thrilling appears. Apple ought to in all probability 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 crimson, or possibly forest inexperienced. I would definitely purchase a burnt orange iPhone — as would loads of Longhorns followers in Texas, or individuals who like autumnal tones.

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Physics to the rescue

Apple / Pocket-lint

Steel does present extra structural rigidity, however that is not all the time the best choice for safeguarding costly electronics. When a cellphone hits one thing, or vice versa, that kinetic vitality has to go someplace. Steel does not distribute vitality 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 motive many pre-iPhone gadgets used plastic past worth. Plastic is versatile. If it is thick sufficient, it even bounces. It could nonetheless scratch, however that is a small tradeoff for worrying much less about your cellphone if you drop it on tile or concrete. And even that is not a lot of a risk today, on condition that most individuals are going to slap their iPhone in a case regardless. These circumstances are sometimes made out of plastic too, I ought to level out.

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4

Lighter telephones are higher telephones

With out sacrificing options or grip, that’s

Whereas Apple is making ready a number of new iPhone fashions this 12 months, crucial is more likely to be the

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

Galaxy S25 Edge
. I am unsure who’s crying out for that, however it must be a formidable piece of engineering however, making iPhones much more moveable. 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 now.

You understand what’s additionally gentle, although? Plastic. Weight is a smaller motive to change supplies, on condition that few individuals complain about how heavy iPhones are, however I would gladly take plastic if it meant a lighter product with none characteristic 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.

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