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 would not typically elaborate on what which means — however in follow, 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 few 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 thus far, 2013’s iPhone 5c. It was Apple’s first try at a “finances” 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 loads of potential for plastic, and here 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. Should you decide up an iPhone 16 Professional, you are spending upwards of $1,000, doubtlessly as a lot as you’d 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 cheap $429 pricetag.

I am stunned on the variety of folks on the gymnasium I see with Professional iPhones — however however, Apple could also be pushing increasingly folks 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 would not again down on world tariffs. Certainly, there might 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 preserving 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 may 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 coloration choices

Midnight is not a coloration, Apple

Apple / Pocket-lint

There is a shiny attraction to aluminum and titanium, but it surely’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 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 attorneys and accountants needs to be allowed to show a bit aptitude now and again.

Plastic shells would make it simpler to churn out thrilling appears to be like. Apple ought to in all probability skip the neon inexperienced choice it supplied for the iPhone 5c, however I believe lots of people would immediately gravitate in the direction of telephones in deep blue or purple, or possibly forest inexperienced. I might 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

Metallic does present extra structural rigidity, however that is not all the time the most suitable choice for safeguarding costly electronics. When a cellphone hits one thing, or vice versa, that kinetic vitality has to go someplace. Metallic would not distribute vitality very properly, so more durable impacts can create dents, doubtlessly even damaging inside parts if a dent goes deep sufficient. Metallic 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 will possibly 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 menace as of late, 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 getting ready a number of new iPhone fashions this 12 months, a very powerful is prone 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 mixture of latest battery tech and potential function sacrifices to realize an extremely skinny body, like Samsung’s

Galaxy S25 Edge
. I am undecided who’s crying out for that, but it surely needs to be a powerful piece of engineering however, making iPhones much more transportable. The Air is liable to be the template for iPhones to return, very similar to the iPhone X set the stage for each mannequin we have now now.

You already know what’s additionally gentle, although? Plastic. Weight is a smaller motive to change supplies, on condition that few folks 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 probabilities of bending. I am not a fan of most ultra-thin gadgets anyway, since I would like 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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