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 meaning — however in apply, it appears to contain focusing 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 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 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 numerous potential for plastic, and here is why.

1

iPhone costs are spiraling out of attain

They usually’re most likely about to soar larger

It is no secret that purchasing a brand new iPhone might be prohibitively costly. Even the iPhone 16e begins at $599, and that is earlier than equipment like a case, a charger, or earbuds. For those who choose up an iPhone 16 Professional, you are spending upwards of $1,000, probably 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 affordable $429 pricetag.

I am shocked on the variety of folks on the fitness center 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 most recent options. The state of affairs may worsen this fall, with the distinct risk of value 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 stored costs static for years.

A plastic iPhone can be cheaper to provide 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.

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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, however it’s additionally inherently harder to churn out metallic frames in vibrant colours. We’ve seen exceptions — I actually appreciated 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 wise {and professional}, however not very thrilling. Even attorneys and accountants must be allowed to show somewhat aptitude every so often.

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 supplied for the iPhone 5c, however I believe lots of people would immediately gravitate in the direction of telephones in deep blue or crimson, or perhaps forest inexperienced. I would definitely purchase a burnt orange iPhone — as would numerous 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 shielding costly electronics. When a cellphone hits one thing, or vice versa, that kinetic power has to go someplace. Steel would not distribute power very nicely, so tougher impacts can create dents, probably 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 cut back a few of these threats — however with the brand new problems with scratching and cracking.

There is a purpose many pre-iPhone units used plastic past value. Plastic is versatile. If it is thick sufficient, it even bounces. It might probably nonetheless scratch, however that is a small tradeoff for worrying much less about your cellphone once you drop it on tile or concrete. And even that is not a lot of a menace lately, provided 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 known as. The gist, although, is that it ought to use a mix of latest battery tech and potential function sacrifices to realize 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 have now now.

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

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