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

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

Posted: 24 Oct 2017, 09:17 , by Preslav Kateliev

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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.

Phonearena polls

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% (1159 votes) (1159 votes); No, I kind of like glass backs! 16.98% (319 votes) (319 votes); No, wireless charging is just too good to drop! 21.34% (401 votes) (401 votes)

1879 votes

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46 Comments

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posted on 24 Oct 2017, 09:19 13

1. Techlover2018 (Posts: 80; Member since: 14 Jul 2017)

I prefer other material like polycarbonate.

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 09:21

2. paul.k (Posts: 258; Member since: 17 Jul 2014)

Unapologetic polycarbonate, or the plain kind?

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 09:32 2

5. combatmedic870 (Posts: 982; Member since: 02 Sep 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 24 Oct 2017, 14:31 1

34. uncle_gadget (banned) (Posts: 1050; Member since: 20 Sep 2017)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 09:36 1

6. Subie (Posts: 1895; Member since: 01 Aug 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 24 Oct 2017, 10:09 1

16. DFranch (Posts: 356; Member since: 20 Apr 2012)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 13:29

28. Subie (Posts: 1895; Member since: 01 Aug 2015)

Nice!

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 10:15

18. nctx77 (Posts: 2540; Member since: 03 Sep 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 24 Oct 2017, 14:30

33. uncle_gadget (banned) (Posts: 1050; Member since: 20 Sep 2017)

Is there more than once kind? lol

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 09:58 1

12. Avieshek (Posts: 145; Member since: 10 Jul 2017)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 12:01

21. phonearenarocks (Posts: 599; Member since: 26 Mar 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 24 Oct 2017, 13:35

29. Brewski (Posts: 541; Member since: 05 Jun 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 24 Oct 2017, 15:15

40. Klinton (Posts: 1353; Member since: 24 Oct 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 24 Oct 2017, 17:57

41. HugoBarraCyanogenmod (Posts: 1403; Member since: 06 Jul 2014)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 09:25

3. PhoneCritic (Posts: 1279; Member since: 05 Oct 2011)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 09:59 1

13. Avieshek (Posts: 145; Member since: 10 Jul 2017)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 09:31

4. Settings (Posts: 2843; Member since: 02 Jul 2014)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 09:37 1

7. hmd74 (Posts: 523; Member since: 31 Jan 2013)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 13:41 4

30. Brewski (Posts: 541; Member since: 05 Jun 2012)

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 24 Oct 2017, 09:46 3

8. libra89 (Posts: 1591; Member since: 15 Apr 2016)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 09:47 1

9. salami1980 (Posts: 73; Member since: 27 Dec 2016)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 09:48 2

10. antmiu2 (Posts: 474; Member since: 19 Jun 2011)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 14:35

36. uncle_gadget (banned) (Posts: 1050; Member since: 20 Sep 2017)

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 24 Oct 2017, 09:57

11. rdvn26 (Posts: 61; Member since: 04 Aug 2017)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 14:36

37. uncle_gadget (banned) (Posts: 1050; Member since: 20 Sep 2017)

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

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 10:06 2

14. 0kax0el0 (Posts: 237; Member since: 15 Nov 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 24 Oct 2017, 10:08

15. Furkan (Posts: 512; Member since: 25 Feb 2017)

I love sexy glass phones. Dont need wireless charging anyway

posted on 24 Oct 2017, 10:14 1

17. DFranch (Posts: 356; Member since: 20 Apr 2012)

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 24 Oct 2017, 10:21 1

19. dnomadic (Posts: 280; Member since: 20 Feb 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 24 Oct 2017, 10:39 2

20. L0n3n1nja (Posts: 1135; Member since: 12 Jul 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.