Curved Glass/phone... Concerned?

[drpotter2807]

So I hung out on these forums waiting for the DX to arrive and have been in love with my phone ever since. This is the first phone to turn my head.. and honestly.. I think its time.

My only concern.. and I don't even know if I'd call it a concern... the curved glass and form factor of this phone. Are there others out there like that (i may just be out of the loop) and how does that work with cases, screen protectors, general usage?

Like I said.. just not sure why its made that way??? Cool points???!

 

[OfTheDamned]

The Nexus S had a curved form and I believe the concept is to avoid scratching the screen while face down as well as the all important ergonomics of having a phone that somewhat contours to the curve of the human face. While i have never used a Nexus S, I have held one and the curve was not really that noticeable. I believe cases and other accessories will be like any other phone out these days, all custom and unique to the intended device.

I do believe that cool points will also be issued on an as needed basis, unless the issuer is a iPhone 4S user, however.

 

[trophynuts]

lol

 

[VoidedSaint]

the curved glass in itself may actually make it more difficult to break, as the pressure that was used to curve the glass and then when it set may have the determining factor on whether or not this phones glass can be easily broken like some other samsung phones i have seen dropped and the screen cracks.

only time will tell right?

 

[shawn487]

I shared your concern at first also. But if you really look at the pictures it doesn't seem to be as profound as when I first thought about it.

 

[darkestred]

Yeah. It really isn't going to be a huge concern. I'm sure it will feel better in the hand and better on the ear. I dont see how the curve will prevent hurting the phone. If anything its going to be the weakeset point when it hits "flat" and probably wind up cracking other more expensive parts.

As for it being in your pocket. It will be fine. The bends are like what 5%?

 

[sean76]

I kinda Dig the Curve...lol

 

[Jersey Tom]

No concern.

 

[Deleted User]

Yeah. It really isn't going to be a huge concern. I'm sure it will feel better in the hand and better on the ear. I dont see how the curve will prevent hurting the phone. If anything its going to be the weakeset point when it hits "flat" and probably wind up cracking other more expensive parts.

I think the above comment about protection was the idea that if you lay the phone face down on a desk, the majority of the screen will not be touching the desk and therefore will not be prone to scratching.

VoidedSaint; the glass is not actually curved. It's just thicker on the edges than it is in the middle. The ifixit teardown of the Nexus S showed exactly how they do the glass. Thus, it probably has little to no structural advantage.

Nexus S Teardown - Page 2 - iFixit

The bottom glass was for the Nexus 1:

 

[VoidedSaint]

I think the above comment about protection was the idea that if you lay the phone face down on a desk, the majority of the screen will not be touching the desk and therefore will not be prone to scratching.

VoidedSaint; the glass is not actually curved. It's just thicker on the edges than it is in the middle. The ifixit teardown of the Nexus S showed exactly how they do the glass. Thus, it probably has little to no structural advantage.

Nexus S Teardown - Page 2 - iFixit

The bottom glass was for the Nexus 1:

thank you for the information binary, i wondered if the glass was curved, cause knowing if it was meant that the glass itself would be pretty strong

 

[chrlswltrs]

Basically it is supposed to prevent scratching and breaking if dropped. And from experience I would say it works (I have dropped my Nexus S more than any other phone I have ever owned for some reason).

Personally, I really like the curve. Makes the phone different from everything else out there, besides any functional reason for it.

 

[AJnATL]

And from experience I would say it works (I have dropped my Nexus S more than any other phone I have ever owned for some reason.

But have you dropped it more than any other phone because it is curved.... haha jk (i think? i've never held one). I try not to look too much into these sorts of things. It looks cool so far, and hopefully the screen also improves the functionality when using the phone.

 

[Deleted User]

thank you for the information binary, i wondered if the glass was curved, cause knowing if it was meant that the glass itself would be pretty strong

IMHO, it's more likely that they would have cast it in a curved mold anyway rather than use pressure to bend it. When manufacturing, it's frequently better to use more expensive tooling or more expensive molds to do two processes in one step. There are exceptions, of course, but I can't imagine it'd be efficient to mold, cool, then heat and bend.

I don't know much about glass manufacturing, though. Do you know if there is a reason why it's not optimal to cast in curved shapes?

 

[darkestred]

IMHO, it's more likely that they would have cast it in a curved mold anyway rather than use pressure to bend it. When manufacturing, it's frequently better to use more expensive tooling or more expensive molds to do two processes in one step. There are exceptions, of course, but I can't imagine it'd be efficient to mold, cool, then heat and bend.

I don't know much about glass manufacturing, though. Do you know if there is a reason why it's not optimal to cast in curved shapes?

I would assume it is a similar concept with Eye-Glasses. The more curve in the lense the less visible space you can see 20/20 out of. With glass I would imagine you'd have some sort of refraction or "fish-eye" effect going on.

Ever look through the old coke bottles? Things don't look quite right.

 

[chrlswltrs]

But have you dropped it more than any other phone because it is curved.... haha jk (i think? i've never held one). I try not to look too much into these sorts of things. It looks cool so far, and hopefully the screen also improves the functionality when using the phone.

No, I think it is because of the type of plastic. My previous phones were the Droid X and the original Droid so I had gotten used to that type of feel. On a side note, since I got a skin from skinit.com a couple months ago I haven't dropped it at all.

 

[quantumrand]

I'm a fan of my Nexus S's curve, and if the Prime has it, it's only a benefit in my book. When viewing my Nexus S's screen, you really don't notice the curve whatsoever. They only way to see it is to look at the phone from the side.

The case I have contours to the curve just fine, so no issues there, either. I've compared it to the Vibrant when holding it up to my face, and I do think the curve makes it slightly more comfortable.

Like everyone else has said, though, I think the curve is primarily to prevent scratching and as a slight homage to the G1's "chin."