Other How about a copper iPhone?

[InvertedGoldfish]

Apple doesn't paint their phones..are you talking about the anodizing? That's not even realted to paint.

Either way, plain silver-white aluminum. Light and durable..simple.

aluminum is soft too, and looks cheap when it wears though what ever coating apple uses

 

[tornadowrangler]

Now I want xkcd to make a periodic table showing the consequences of an iPhone made out of each element.

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

In addition to the other good points, a fair % of the population experiences an allergic reaction with prolonged exposure to copper. Stainless steel and titanium are far safer, which is why those metals are often used for implanted medical devices. And while some folks can also get an allergic reaction to aluminum, it's rarer and the oxidation layer prevents it.

People are allergic to everything now, some tuff love would be good for them, tuffen them up


Can’t even get peanuts on a plane these days 😔

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

Bronze would be cool

 

[Analog Kid]

People are allergic to everything now, some tuff love would be good for them, tuffen them up


Can’t even get peanuts on a plane these days 😔

I'll admit it being a while since I've read The Lancet, but I don't remember allergies being susceptible to force of will.

 

[IAmStumped]

Cooper is a natural antimicrobial, so at least we'd all be less flu-y...

 

[Sorinut]

aluminum is soft too, and looks cheap when it wears though what ever coating apple uses

Thats why you just leave as natural aluminum. Stop anodizing it.

 

[DougiePhresh]

It's a bad material to build a phone, or anything, with. As stated, it would turn green within a few months, and it's so soft the corner would completely flatten out on the first drop. Thats why brass (zinc+copper) is used for durability instead of copper. Bronze (tin+copper) if it's exposed to weather.

Brass would be a decent material. I think it looks too much like yellow gold, which I can't stand, but it would be durable.

Some people like the copper patina, also, as OP mentioned, copper is easy to buff out if you want it shiny. Yes, copper is soft, but it’s not sillyputty soft. You might dent a corner here and there, but just like the titanium iPhones, the structural part of the device would likely still be aluminum.

 

[erikkfi]

The new copper iPhone, costs $2500 and as a bonus it turns a horrific shade of green over time.

 

[Sorinut]

Some people like the copper patina, also, as OP mentioned, copper is easy to buff out if you want it shiny. Yes, copper is soft, but it’s not sillyputty soft. You might dent a corner here and there, but just like the titanium iPhones, the structural part of the device would likely still be aluminum.

You can't directly contact copper and aluminum as it causes galvanic corrosion, unless it was completely oxygen free.

The biggest problem would be that copper stinks... It literally smells really bad.

 

[boswald]

I’m quite happy with my steel iPhone, but maybe a copper color would be nice!

 

[DougiePhresh]

You can't directly contact copper and aluminum as it causes galvanic corrosion, unless it was completely oxygen free.

The biggest problem would be that copper stinks... It literally smells really bad.

Okay, fair. I’m not a materials scientist, I didn’t know aluminum and copper react poorly with each other haha. As for the smell - it certainly is a distinct and strong smell. But “bad” is your opinion

 

[XboxEvolved]

 

[Jumpthesnark]

Now I want xkcd to make a periodic table showing the consequences of an iPhone made out of each element.

Mercury iPhone! No need for a case since it will drop through your hands just once.

 

[AlixSPQR]

Beryllium copper is actually not a bad idea! Copper coloured and very strong.

 

[klasma]

A steampunk iPhone would be nice.

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

Okay, fair. I’m not a materials scientist, I didn’t know aluminum and copper react poorly with each other haha. As for the smell - it certainly is a distinct and strong smell. But “bad” is your opinion

Strong smell? People are allergic to it?


Humanity is not aging well lol



I have had copper gutters, copper finishing nails, etc never really noticed the smell but I’m not super sensitive

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

O

I'll admit it being a while since I've read The Lancet, but I don't remember allergies being susceptible to force of will.

Look it up, it’s very common to use small doses of an allergen to remediate some allergies


Also building the world around the most sensitive people isn’t a long term viable idea

 

[Analog Kid]

Also building the world around the most sensitive people isn’t a long term viable idea

Neither is poisoning any significant fraction of your customers...

 

[returnZero]

This might give bacon a bad name

 

[polyphenol]

Bismuth iPhone!

Has some interesting properties - including anti-microbial activity.

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

Neither is poisoning any significant fraction of your customers...

I guess some of the more delicate people do have iPhones 🤔

Still be a good option, call it the man series, include a pack of jerky, peanuts, real leather case, I’d be first in line 😂

 

[Analog Kid]

I guess some of the more delicate people do have iPhones 🤔

Still be a good option, call it the man series, include a pack of jerky, peanuts, real leather case, I’d be first in line 😂

It's just dawned on me that I'm debating health strategies with an @InvertedGoldfish... I'm wondering if the next piece of advice is "keep eating until you can't anymore". 😉

 

[HiVolt]

Aluminum is fine and apple should just stick to it.

I agree, I wish the Pro's had a standard aluminum frame at a lower cost and those who want bling could opt for a more expensive material. Like the Apple Watch used to have.

my phone is always in a case I never see the material its made from on the back or sides. for all I care the back could be plastic.

 

[Argon_]

A heavy iPhone that bends. I can't wait.