This has happened in three major categories: performance, software offerings, and overall design.
A lighter phone is less math.
It’s going to have less impact when dropped.
Pornchai Jaito / EyeEm / Getty Images
I don’t think [making a phone] thinner has done it.
I think it’s definitely the size of the screens that has made them less durable.
With these rounded edges come less materials around the corners to protect the phone.
Thomas Wierzbicki / EyeEm / Getty Images
Most of the internals are now soldered together, where they used to be freely attachedmore similarly to computers.
This is done to make those hardware pieces take up less space inside of the phone.
“Yes, the internal components of a smartphone are fragile.
It’s hard to make a touchscreen that isn’t susceptible to cracking.
I do think it’s something to be concerned about and something that should affect purchasing decisions.”
Moving away from rounded screens or glass backs to stronger materials could be one way to improve that durability.
You don’t have those issues anymore.
You still see it with iPadsyou see that a ton, actuallybut not with most phones anymore."
