Althouse: What if you buy an elegantly thin iPhone and put it in your back pocket and proceed to sit on it all day?

September 24, 2014

What if you buy an elegantly thin iPhone and put it in your back pocket and proceed to sit on it all day?

It might get bent.

I'd be skeptical, but there's video, which I watched, of a guy trying to bend his iPhone 6 Plus and — applying a lot of steady pressure with his hands — managing to bend it a bit. So you can get a good idea of how hard it is to bend and use that information. Me, I still want to buy the new phone, and I'd never put anywhere near that kind of pressure on it, so I found the video encouraging.

47 comments:

rhhardin said...: If you carry a camera instead of a phone, you avoid the two year contract expense.; 9/24/14, 9:16 AM
Wince said...: Other devices have been released recently that were specifically designed to have a curved frame, including the LG G Flex (pictured). The phone is said to be more comfortable to hold, and easier to place in a back pocket

God faced the same dilemma when designing the penis.; 9/24/14, 9:21 AM
Jaq said...: My daughter has one, she showed it to me, I may trade my Samsung.; 9/24/14, 9:21 AM
Wince said...: I hope Tim in Vermont is talking about the iPhone, and not responding to my comment.; 9/24/14, 9:23 AM
Ann Althouse said...: I usually do carry a camera in addition to my phone. I don't like the phone for the camera, for a few reasons (including fear of theft).

But I mostly use the phone for things other than phoning: 1. texting, 2. internet, 3. checking the time or temperature and weather report, 4. playing a game (to pass time), 5. listening to an audiobook, podcast, or music, 6. making an audio recording, 7. GPS maps and directions, 8. email, 9. reading books in Kindle app, 10. locating a b-cycle, 10. flashlight, 11. finding restaurants in Yelp app...; 9/24/14, 9:24 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "Other devices have been released recently that were specifically designed to have a curved frame, including the LG G Flex (pictured). The phone is said to be more comfortable to hold, and easier to place in a back pocket."

I guess those are for men, like the aforementioned penis.

Women tend to have a handbag, and a curved phone wouldn't fit in neatly. All the usual handbag items are straight: wallet, notebook, pen (not penis), lipstick, compact...; 9/24/14, 9:26 AM
Ann Althouse said...: LOL at EDH.; 9/24/14, 9:27 AM
Nonapod said...: Most people I know don't often use their phones as phones anymore. Texting has replaced talking on the phone for most casual situations.; 9/24/14, 9:28 AM
David said...: "Get bent" was a 1960's epithet, roughly equivalent to "Go Fuck Yourself" but often used in a joking tone.

In the 1960's we had more couths (another 60's phrase) and the F word was used more sparingly.; 9/24/14, 9:29 AM
chickelit said...: "Will it bend" is the complete wrong question, Professor. The real question is "Will it blend"?; 9/24/14, 9:33 AM
Ignorance is Bliss said...: Women tend to have a handbag, and a curved phone wouldn't fit in neatly

My 21 year old daughter puts her phone in her back pocket far more often than she carries a handbag.; 9/24/14, 9:34 AM
Peter said...: And how many phones get ruined because they fall into a toilet, or just fall out and get lost? Perhaps a back pocket is just not a good place for a large phone?; 9/24/14, 9:37 AM
KLDAVIS said...: Damn hipsters and their skinny jeans.

My OnePlus One has a magnesium frame. Stronger than steel, lighter than aluminum.; 9/24/14, 9:39 AM
MayBee said...: EDH- hahhahahaha!; 9/24/14, 9:43 AM
richard mcenroe said...: Most people are unaware of the kinetic energy of the human ass consistently applied.; 9/24/14, 9:44 AM
Ambrose said...: Why would anyone sit on their iphone all day?; 9/24/14, 9:46 AM
Jaq said...: The camera on the iPhone six is amazing. I have a digital SLR, and I like the way you can use different lenses for different effects, but honestly, to get superior picture quality, I am going to have to use RAW mode and sit and post proccess each shot with software that costs as much as the camera did.; 9/24/14, 9:48 AM
Sean Gleeson said...: But your headline misstates the nature of the allegation. The complaints from users do not involve back pockets or sitting upon the devices. The claim is that the new iPhone bends from normal (or even gentle) use and front-pocket carrying. Don't know if the claims are true, but that's what they're saying.; 9/24/14, 9:51 AM
The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...: "I hope Tim in Vermont is talking about the iPhone, and not responding to my comment."

Thank you. That's why I come here.; 9/24/14, 9:52 AM
Roger von Oech said...: I've owned every iPhone since 2007:
1
3G
3GS
4
4S
5
5S

The 6 Plus is my favorite by far. The big screen is very friendly to "older eyes."
It provides the big jump in satisfaction that I thought the 5 would provide 2 year ago.; 9/24/14, 9:56 AM
Ann Althouse said...: I never got the 5, but now the button on top broke, so I need a new one. Meade never even got the 4.; 9/24/14, 10:02 AM
Shanna said...: I have a 4s. My main delima is if I should trade my old phone in or keep it and use it like an ipod.; 9/24/14, 10:04 AM
Robert Cook said...: My understanding is that this is happening (as well) with the large iPhones carried in front pockets. (Who carries their phones in their back pockets? People who don't live in big cities, I guess. In the city, back pockets are pickpocketers' cornucopia.)

The recommendation is to wear pants with roomy front pockets, and/or to place the iPhone in a rigid case.

I ordered the iPhone Six Plus this past weekend, so don't expect to receive it until late October. I will try find and obtain an attractive, thin, but protectively rigid case in the meantime. (I like cases that are austere in design and I like the look of Apple's own case design for these new phones. I'm just not sure if the silicone cases will be rigid enough to protect against inadvertent bending of the phone...as I do carry my phone in my front pocket.); 9/24/14, 10:04 AM
Ann Althouse said...: Not only did the button break on my 4, but the new system downloaded automatically a couple days ago and things have been hinky since then. Notably, the stupid little game I like to play when I'm trying to concentrate on listening to audio freezes up now.; 9/24/14, 10:08 AM
Ann Althouse said...: ""Get bent" was a 1960's epithet, roughly equivalent to "Go Fuck Yourself" but often used in a joking tone."

I know. I've always found it funny.

According to Urban Dictionary (which I was going to link to), the phrase was used a lot on "That 70s Show" (which I never watched).; 9/24/14, 10:09 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "In the 1960's we had more couths (another 60's phrase) and the F word was used more sparingly."

That, I don't remember!

We said "get bent" because it was funny. We said "fuck" because it was edgy and endlessly applicable.; 9/24/14, 10:11 AM
Ann Althouse said...: It wasn't endlessly edgy. It became habitual. People forgot to notice they were saying "fuck" or "fucking" in every other sentence. At some point, it's not worth doing. It's clutter.; 9/24/14, 10:12 AM
PB said...: why would you sit on it? that's just idiotic.; 9/24/14, 10:13 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "My 21 year old daughter puts her phone in her back pocket far more often than she carries a handbag."

I'd worry about theft, but that applies to males and females.

As to females and pockets, I was a big proponent of pockets in women's clothes and for many years avoided using a handbag. I had an all-out feminist opinion on the subject. I didn't carry a handbag until I was well over 30 years old. Everything I wore, including for dressing up, had to have pockets. I'd rage about women's clothes without pockets…. discriminating against me.; 9/24/14, 10:15 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "But your headline misstates the nature of the allegation. The complaints from users do not involve back pockets or sitting upon the devices. The claim is that the new iPhone bends from normal (or even gentle) use and front-pocket carrying. Don't know if the claims are true, but that's what they're saying."

Yeah, I put it in question form. I'm skeptical about what everyone except the guy in the video actually did.

IPhone has its enemies. Who sits with the phone in a front pocket and in a position to get pressure between the hip and the leg? I really can't picture that happening. It would have to be not a deep pocket in loose pants but a high pocket in tight pants. That would feel awful!; 9/24/14, 10:19 AM
Doc Holliday's Hat said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 9/24/14, 11:00 AM
Doc Holliday's Hat said...: Ann, that actually seems to be happening from front pockets, the phone is very thin, and while strong pressure was needed to go at it in one try, repeated light pressure will do the same.

On another note: I honestly find this to be the ugliest phone Apple's made since the original (which is only ugly in retrospect). A bunch of Androids are much better looking, like the LG G3, HTC One (M8), Sharp Aquos, Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, and the Moto X (which you actually get to design).; 9/24/14, 11:01 AM
Shanna said...: I will try find and obtain an attractive, thin, but protectively rigid case in the meantime.

I have a hard case for my current phone, it's kate spade and I've dropped it numerous times so it seems to work ok. I'm guessing that would solve the problem of bending the phone?

I'd rage about women's clothes without pockets….

I like pockets too, especially in dresses! But I still carry a purse. You can fit so many more things.

And every time apple updates their ios something breaks. It's very annoying.; 9/24/14, 11:14 AM
Brando said...: I never put anything in my back pockets--it makes sitting less comfortable, and everyone from the poorest pauper to the pharaohs of Egypt enjoys a good sit.

I'm not eager to get a bigger iPhone than the one I have now, at a certain point I'd might as well use the ipad. But the ability to use the new phones like a credit card sounds intriguing--I'm often out for a run with the iPhone but no wallet and it'd be nice to have that handy for emergencies.

The next thing I hope they develop--besides improved battery life--is a projector feature, where the phone can project a larger video image on a flat surface so you can watch movies more easily on your iPhone.; 9/24/14, 11:24 AM
damikesc said...: Yeah...don't try and fix it, please. You will crack it badly.; 9/24/14, 11:32 AM
Robert Cook said...: "I honestly find this to be the ugliest phone Apple's made since the original (which is only ugly in retrospect). A bunch of Androids are much better looking, like the LG G3, HTC One (M8), Sharp Aquos, Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, and the Moto X (which you actually get to design)."

There's no disputing taste. I find the Samsung phones, without exception, to be buggly! (My contraction for butt ugly...if it catches on, credit me!).

The HTC is definitely sharp looking, the Moto X less so, but still attractive. The One Plus One phone is also attractive.

The new iPhones are very attractive to me, but I won't claim they are the "best" among attractive phones on the market. I might have to say the HTC has that distinction.; 9/24/14, 11:51 AM
PB said...: let it heat up to about 90 degrees. Aluminum will bend more easily.

Gee, that like keeping it in your pocket...; 9/24/14, 11:57 AM
campy said...: I sort of like the iPhone 6 plus, but I'd hate to move down to something so small compared to my current phone (Nokia Lumia 1520).; 9/24/14, 12:17 PM
damikesc said...: And how many phones get ruined because they fall into a toilet, or just fall out and get lost?

Lots. Way more than people would expect.

I have a 4s. My main delima is if I should trade my old phone in or keep it and use it like an ipod.

My employer is offering a good trade in offer for it towards an IPhone 6.

I ordered the iPhone Six Plus this past weekend, so don't expect to receive it until late October

Maybe. That thing sold out for my employer, nationally, within hour and a half or so. Some models have had November ship dates since late last week.

I have a hard case for my current phone, it's kate spade and I've dropped it numerous times so it seems to work ok. I'm guessing that would solve the problem of bending the phone?

It should. Otterbox is a more durable case as a rule. You can go Lifeproof if you're willing to spend a crapton of money but they are really, really good.; 9/24/14, 12:19 PM
$9,000,000,000 Write Off said...: I see a lotta women carrying their phones tucked into their bras. Maybe the curve makes that more comfortable?

People still pickpocket?; 9/24/14, 12:20 PM
MadisonMan said...: I have an LG Cosmos from 2010, I think. Maybe 2011.

It works great for me. But I enjoy my time being unconnected and unreachable.; 9/24/14, 12:54 PM
Shanna said...: Otterbox is a more durable case as a rule.

I know, but I think they are ugly, at least some of the old ones were ugly. The newer ones are better looking.; 9/24/14, 1:06 PM
Balfegor said...: Re: Althouse:

As to females and pockets, I was a big proponent of pockets in women's clothes and for many years avoided using a handbag. I had an all-out feminist opinion on the subject. I didn't carry a handbag until I was well over 30 years old. Everything I wore, including for dressing up, had to have pockets. I'd rage about women's clothes without pockets…. discriminating against me.

Womens' jackets don't have interior pockets, do they? That must be terribly inconvenient. I usually have three or four interior pockets to work with on a jacket, and I habitually use almost all of them (the one I only sometimes use is the cigarette pocket, but I sometimes use that for my Wifi hotspot when I'm overseas.) It's to the point that I am greatly inconvenienced at the height of summer when I stop wearing jackets -- I have to offload some of my junk into my man purse. Or my trousers.

Anyhow, I almost always carry my phone in an interior jacket pocket. Makes it much easier to slip out when sitting down -- no arching myself half out of the seat to get a hand down my front pocket or around to my back pocket.; 9/24/14, 2:26 PM
Michael McNeil said...: “The iPhone 6's New Camera Could Forever Change Filmmaking | WIRED”; 9/24/14, 4:10 PM
Anonymous said...: My niece puts it in her 14yr old cleavage/bra. I used to put my iPod in the waistband of my pocketless yoga pants at the gym. Still do sometimes, but it's less fun now. ;)

Just design a new pocket. They are so much bigger now that the rarely fit in my front pockets. I have to put my latest in the back even on my hiking pants. I prefer smaller devices of 5-10 years ago for every day use. I wish I could have two identical SIM cards just for that. I'd use a basic small phone half the time,; 9/24/14, 9:48 PM
Shanna said...: Womens' jackets don't have interior pockets, do they?

The craziest thing I ever heard Michael Kors say on PRunway is that 'every woman he knows cuts the pockets out of pants as soon as they get them'. What???

That's ny for you.; 9/25/14, 8:11 AM
Anonymous said...: And now they don't fit in the phone pockets of any of my old favorite purses or bags either.; 9/25/14, 9:46 AM