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iPhone 3G's "Plastic" Actually Stronger Than Aluminum iPhone?

Submitted by Edward Kirk on July 13, 2008 - 6:08pm.
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Being that the original iPhone had an aluminum back panel, one might assume that it would hold up significantly better to wear and tear than the new iPhone 3G. However, the exact opposite may be true. Information has been found that may hint that the new plastic back panel of the iPhone 3G is actually not plastic at all, but a significantly stronger substance.

As you probably remember, BlendTech recently published their latest installment of "Will it Blend?", which featured one of their blenders blending an iPhone 3G. However, someone with a keen eye has pointed out that the iPhone 3G actually blended up a lot less than the original iPhone. The 3G still had the back plate partially intact, while the old iPhone's aluminum plate was reduced to complete dust. This could just be luck, it does seem awfully unusual.

As it turns out, Apple has never really stated that the plastic back of the device actually is "plastic". In fact, they filed a very interesting patent, #20060268528 for an unusually strong substance described as a ceramic-like hybrid of zirconia and Yttrium hybrid with an added silicon coating applied “on the exterior surface to prevent cracking and protect the ceramic shell from undesirable forces as for example when the ceramic shell is dropped.”

While there is no actual confirmation that this is true, it is possible that the iPhone 3G might be made of this super-strong ceramic substance. If so, then the iPhone 3G's back plate is a lot cooler than we thought.

[via Macenstein]

Submitted by *rckstwrz (not verified) on July 13, 2008 - 6:43pm.
Thank God. I'm so tired of accidentally bending my first gen iPhones.

omg!!

Submitted by chicho111 (not verified) on July 13, 2008 - 6:48pm.
now i really want it!
lol im not a very careful person..
ive droped my phone a couple times already,
this will be goooooooood!
hahahaha
i cant wait to drop my iphone 3g! lol jk

Submitted by WatersWest on July 13, 2008 - 7:00pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by *rckstwrz View Post
Thank God. I'm so tired of accidentally bending my first gen iPhones.
Didn't you mean "accidently blending." Because of course, there have been several times where I've accidently dropped my phone into a blender! And when that happens, I'd like the comfort of knowing in advance that at least the black plastic will survive!

Submitted by Kevin Dunahee on July 13, 2008 - 7:13pm.
Hmm. I feel pessimistic. I would think if it were made of Apple's superduper ceramic material, they would brag about it somewhere on their website. I hope it is this super rugged material, but the fact that it isn't mentioned anywhere leads me to believe it's just plastic. Thoughts?

interesting...

Submitted by *warlock (not verified) on July 13, 2008 - 7:39pm.
very very intresting. I heard that they used "plastic" because it allowed better reception...? Any thoughts? I'll work on a quote on that theory.

Submitted by Stephen007 on July 13, 2008 - 7:42pm.
Honestly, the back of your iPhone *shouldn't* be made out of anything super duper strong because you shouldn't be dropping it hard enough to even break cheap plastic.

Unless

Submitted by *Hockeylord104 (not verified) on July 13, 2008 - 7:54pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Superman View Post
Hmm. I feel pessimistic. I would think if it were made of Apple's superduper ceramic material, they would brag about it somewhere on their website. I hope it is this super rugged material, but the fact that it isn't mentioned anywhere leads me to believe it's just plastic. Thoughts?
Unless Apple didnt want their competitors to know exactly what they use to make the ceramic material.

Submitted by iswenson on July 13, 2008 - 8:27pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen007 View Post
Honestly, the back of your iPhone *shouldn't* be made out of anything super duper strong because you shouldn't be dropping it hard enough to even break cheap plastic.
i agree, it should be handled with enough care that it doesnt need to be super strong. that said, ive dropped my 1st gen iphone a couple of times accidentally and its good to know that the new one will probably hold up just as well.

Submitted by hal128 on July 13, 2008 - 8:38pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen007 View Post
Honestly, the back of your iPhone *shouldn't* be made out of anything super duper strong because you shouldn't be dropping it hard enough to even break cheap plastic.
Honestly, what the f*** are you talking about? I want my iPhone to be a tank. I want it to be able to survive a nuclear explosion. It's about peace of mind. Accidents happen.

Submitted by MICHAELSD on July 13, 2008 - 11:05pm.
My first-gen iPhone held up really, really well over the last year. Steve Jobs said it had a plastic back during the WWDC keynote, it should be fine as long as you keep it in a case when it's not your hand and as long as you make sure not to drop it. I actually think that it's better to drop it on its' screen. I dropped my first one on the front and there isn't a single mark on the screen or the black area around it, but a little one on the metal.

Submitted by Kevin Dunahee on July 14, 2008 - 1:41am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hal128 View Post
Honestly, what the f*** are you talking about? I want my iPhone to be a tank. I want it to be able to survive a nuclear explosion. It's about peace of mind. Accidents happen.
Indiana Jones IV comes to mind. Hal, just store your iPhone in a refrigerator. All will be fine.

(Hopefully, you've seen the film or else my comment is lost.)

Probably best just not to drop it

Submitted by iswenson on July 14, 2008 - 1:48am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MICHAELSD View Post
My first-gen iPhone held up really, really well over the last year. Steve Jobs said it had a plastic back during the WWDC keynote, it should be fine as long as you keep it in a case when it's not your hand and as long as you make sure not to drop it. I actually think that it's better to drop it on its' screen. I dropped my first one on the front and there isn't a single mark on the screen or the black area around it, but a little one on the metal.
I have a friend who dropped his iPhone in its screen and the front shattered. I'd rather has some scratches on the back than no screen.

it may just be plastic

Submitted by iswenson on July 14, 2008 - 1:52am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Superman View Post
Hmm. I feel pessimistic. I would think if it were made of Apple's superduper ceramic material, they would brag about it somewhere on their website. I hope it is this super rugged material, but the fact that it isn't mentioned anywhere leads me to believe it's just plastic. Thoughts?

Your completely right. Apple would be the first ones to brag about it. And not even a mention on their website?! Its hard to believe its not plastic.

Submitted by xxx on July 14, 2008 - 6:20am.
The 2g phones with the aluminum backs were fragile as hell. The smallest bumps and youwould have dents all over you phone.

This new "plastic" can be a glass filled one. The ceramic blend material is added to the plastic making it a glass filled or other type of blended plastic. They are stronger than normal plastics and can be more scratch resistant.

Submitted by Unregistered (not verified) on September 1, 2008 - 8:29am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by *warlock View Post
very very intresting. I heard that they used "plastic" because it allowed better reception...? Any thoughts? I'll work on a quote on that theory.
The following is stated in the Abastract of the linked Patent
"A handheld computing device is disclosed. The handheld computing device includes an enclosure having structural walls formed from a ceramic material that is radio-transparent"