Polls

Would you rather get rid of glass backs, even if it costs wireless charging?

by Preslav Kateliev / Oct 24, 2017, 9:17 AM

Would you rather get rid of glass backs, even if it costs wireless charging?

Over the past few years, wireless charging has been all the craze in the smartphone world. Most major manufacturers have steadily been moving towards making the feature a standard and are working on making it work faster.

But since the current version of wireless charging — that's inductive charging — doesn't work then the phone's exterior is pure metal, manufacturers have turned to glass backs.

And glass looks nice, sure — it's shiny, it's cool to the touch, it just reeks of "premium". But it's also a magnet for fingerprint grease and feels particularly unpleasant when your hands are sweaty. Thus, not everyone is a fan of glass backs.

So, we thought we'd ask you. Is wireless charging worth having a glass back on your phone, or would you rather stick with a pure metal build and forfeit wireless charging? If your phone doesn't have a glass back, vote based on preference.

Would you prefer to be rid of glass backs, even if it means no wireless charging?

Yes! I'd do it in a heartbeat!

61.68%

No, I kind of like glass backs!

16.98%

No, wireless charging is just too good to drop!

21.34%

Options

46 Comments

1. Techlover2018

Posts: 80; Member since: Jul 14, 2017

I prefer other material like polycarbonate.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:19 AM 13

2. paul.k

Posts: 283; Member since: Jul 17, 2014

Unapologetic polycarbonate, or the plain kind?

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:21 AM 0

5. combatmedic870

Posts: 982; Member since: Sep 02, 2015

The seal healing kind. I really don't like glass backs. They are slippery and have no function. I got to use a case due to the phone being slippery. So never get to see or feel it any ways. I used to put invisishield on the backs of my phones. I'd buy a clearanced tablet screen protector and cut to fit.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:32 AM 2

34. uncle_gadget

Posts: 1050; Member since: Sep 20, 2017

Glass backs do have a function. It allows for wireless charging.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 2:31 PM 1

6. Subie

Posts: 2272; Member since: Aug 01, 2015

I like what Nokia used for their older Lumia line. Watching durability test of the 920 years ago sold me on their polycarbonate.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:36 AM 1

16. DFranch

Posts: 511; Member since: Apr 20, 2012

I had a 920, I really beat the hell out of that phone. It was indestructible.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 10:09 AM 1

28. Subie

Nice!

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 1:29 PM 0

18. nctx77

Posts: 2540; Member since: Sep 03, 2013

Why all of a sudden do you want to ask this question now that the iPhone has wireless charging? Also, the iPhone 4/4s has a glass back with no wireless charging and millions were sold. What’s the big deal?

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 10:15 AM 0

33. uncle_gadget

Is there more than once kind? lol

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 2:30 PM 0

12. Avieshek unregistered

I prefer.. You know, there's Ceramic too.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:58 AM 1

21. phonearenarocks

Posts: 606; Member since: Mar 26, 2015

Yeah, I believe this is the way to go. The glass-look phones(including the ceramic ones, as you pointed out) are clearly much more beautiful than the metal phones, except for the M7(which takes the crown among all the smartphones). Even the S6, S7, S8, Note 8, OnePlus X, Moto Z, Xperia Z phones are better than the metal built Chinese OEMs phones among Xiaomi/Oppo/Vivos apart from the biggies phones like M8/M9/10 and iP 6/6s/7

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 12:01 PM 0

29. Brewski

Posts: 660; Member since: Jun 05, 2012

Exactly. There are waaaaaaay better options than glass. Kevlar, carbon fiber, ceramic, etc. Motorola has had wireless charging for years and never seen a glass or metal back once so this is a non-issue. Only Samsung and iPhone does this seem to be a problem. Gotta think outside the box guys!

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 1:35 PM 0

40. Klinton

Posts: 1408; Member since: Oct 24, 2016

Note4 is the greatest design. Period. Samsung should make Galaxy Note4S edition together with next GS9. Note4S will be Best Seller. The real Note users wait for it. Just new SoC , and newer FPScanner(so Samsung Pay can work) Everything else just same(replacable battery, IR, same great multi-pixel camera) Samsung have nothing to invest there, but just collect the profit. And millions of happy ppl.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 3:15 PM 0

41. HugoBarraCyanogenmod

Posts: 1409; Member since: Jul 06, 2014

Wireless charger will sold separately and gimmick. I'll save some money for that

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 5:57 PM 0

3. PhoneCritic

Posts: 1337; Member since: Oct 05, 2011

No glass for me because I value wireless charging. But I also like metal like the OG HTC M7 and M8.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:25 AM 0

13. Avieshek unregistered

I would rather prefer 'Super VOOC' like Fast Charging.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:59 AM 1

4. Settings

Posts: 2942; Member since: Jul 02, 2014

We might never know that wireless charging will mean the removal of the USB port.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:31 AM 0

7. hmd74

Posts: 539; Member since: Jan 31, 2013

The most Gimmicky tech is wireless charging! the only usage is charging in high-end cars while driving

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:37 AM 1

30. Brewski

Not true. I update my phone once a year and have had wireless charging for the last 4-5 years. I have a wireless pad on my desk at work, one next to my bed at home, one next to my computer in my office at home and a dock in my car (pick-up truck, not "high-end car"). Basically, I never have to carry cables with me and anywhere I go I always have a charger so full battery all the time! All without fumbling with plugging it in, I just set my phone down while I do something else and when I need my phone again it has more juice!

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 1:41 PM 4

8. libra89

Posts: 2219; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

Indifferent about wireless charging but glass backs are so annoying with how slippery they are.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:46 AM 3

9. salami1980

Posts: 78; Member since: Dec 27, 2016

Aluminum all the way , it is the best, or polycarbonate like Nokia Lumia 1020

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:47 AM 1

10. antmiu2

Posts: 550; Member since: Jun 19, 2011

how about they figure a way to do wireless charging with other materials eh? its almost 2018

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:48 AM 2

36. uncle_gadget

Well there are other ways, but they cost too much and slow production. One way is to use carbon fiber. But you have to make the case by hand and not machine. Lowing production, raising costs. It can be done with metal backs. But it requires a dampening cover which adds costs.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 2:35 PM 0

11. rdvn26

Posts: 77; Member since: Aug 04, 2017

wireless charging is not an useful spec. Id rather go for non slippery back material

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 9:57 AM 0

37. uncle_gadget

Or you can just put a skin or rubber case on it?

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 2:36 PM 0

14. 0kax0el0

Posts: 238; Member since: Nov 15, 2012

With a glass back you end up putting a cover... Then what's the point of having glass if you're never touching it or even seeing it. Metal, plastic, kevlar, fabric, ceramic. I don't feel that "wireless" charging is all that convenient, but if OEMs want to put it in a phone there's a lot of different materials that should be compatible.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 10:06 AM 2

15. Furkan

Posts: 552; Member since: Feb 25, 2017

I love sexy glass phones. Dont need wireless charging anyway

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 10:08 AM 0

17. DFranch

I like wireless charging, not glass backs. I'd gladly go back to polycarbonate backs. Then I wouldn't have to buy a case to protect the glass back. Metal is fine, but I have had wireless charging since the 920 came out, and would not want to lose it. So, until somebody releases a way to charge a metal backed phone, I won't be getting one. My hope is once android auto goes wireless, I can just put my phone on a charging plate in my car.

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 10:14 AM 1

19. dnomadic

Posts: 372; Member since: Feb 20, 2015

Love the look of glass, but like the iPhone notch, it is not the most practical approach in phone design. I would love a combination of metal and a polycarbonate... Heck, I was fine with all plastic phones....lightweight!! Maybe the note 4 approach Metal frame, plastic back

posted on Oct 24, 2017, 10:21 AM 1

20. L0n3n1nja

Posts: 1511; Member since: Jul 12, 2016

I have 2 phone that charge wireless and don't have glass backs. Glass backs are stupid, slippery, and combined with tiny bezel make a phone hard to hold.