Smartphones have become an inseparable part of our lives, and naturally, we want these devices to feel personal, like an extension of our personality. It’s no surprise that when a new Android phone is about to be released, we get curious about the colors, materials, and finishes that will be available. While many still opt for the classic black or white, others are eager for something different. But why is that?
I’m one of those users who enjoy seeing companies offer a range of colors, and personally, I prefer the vibrant colors of the 2010s over the pastel options we usually get today.
I also like various materials and finishes, like leather and frosted glass. But the big question still lingers: why do we care so much? If you take a moment to look at the phones around you while you’re out and about, you won’t actually see many phones that stand out.
Hidden Advantage: Thoughtful Design, Silicone Coated
Designing a smartphone is much like sculpting a statue – it takes hours of meticulous work to craft something that truly feels like an art piece. It might sound silly to call a smartphone a work of art, but once you’ve used a poorly designed phone, you’ll appreciate the difference a well-crafted one can make.
From the curved edges that fit perfectly in your hand to the texture of the back panel, so much of our smartphone experience is tied to its design.
Phone makers know this and leverage it for a few reasons. One of them is to assure buyers that, no matter the price, it’s often worth it. If you buy this hardware, you’re getting a functional work of art, almost like jewelry.
This makes the price tag seem justified. Another reason is to give kudos to the design team. A lot of money is paid to designers to peek into the future, the past, and what customers want, all to create the desired hardware.
But there’s one thing that often gets overlooked: all that design can get covered up by a case. Do phone makers not realize that we tend to cover up our phones with cases? Of course, they do. While plastic phones are mostly gone from the premium market, plastic cases are still common on mid-range or entry-level devices.
Mixed Priorities: Expensive Phones, Cheap Cases
There’s no denying that smartphones are expensive. We complain about the rising cost of everything but still buy the phones.
What’s funny, and I’ll admit I’m guilty too, is how after spending $1,000 on a new phone, we complain about how expensive a good case is to protect it. In the end, we often settle for a cheap or generic case to cover our expensive gadgets.
Renowned case brands like Otterbox, Caseology, Thinborne, and others spend a lot of money creating cases that fit the contours of your phone perfectly. They offer premium materials and colors for each case, ensuring that your pricey device stays safe while also looking elegant.
Adding a case to your phone isn’t a total betrayal, though. I use cases from time to time, but covering up beautiful design with a cheap plastic case doesn’t make much sense.
Cases provide protection from drops, prevent the phone from being slippery, and complement your style. I tend to think of phone cases like a watch band or a watch face. It can change depending on your mood or plans for the weekend.
Appreciation Through Accessories: Treat It Right
I appreciate a great work of art, whether it’s digital, a painting on a wall, or the phone I hold in my hand. But when something needs to be functional and available in various environments, like a phone, I want to take the best care of it.
Sometimes that means putting a case on it, and that’s okay. I try to keep my phone in the best condition, but I also enjoy the feel of the metal side rails, the glass or leather back, and the thinness of the phone in my hand.
So while I don’t want phone manufacturers to stop experimenting with finishes, materials, or colors, I also don’t think it should be the primary focus. Since most modern smartphones are covered with a case, the attention given to phone design shouldn’t be overly high.
The true value of a phone should be based on its functionality and durability, ensuring users get the best bang for their buck. And if the phone looks great in the process, that’s a bonus.
