Hello! I'm your financial journalist and friend, an economist. Today, we're not talking about which stock has risen the most or which company's financial report looks the best, but rather about the question: "What kind of phone does Apple really want to create?"
This article from iFanr explores the following topic: On the 20th anniversary of the iPhone's birth, Apple tried to create a "fully glass" iPhone, but why did it ultimately abandon the most radical design and opt for a metal frame instead? Behind this decision lay not just technical compromises but also strategic considerations in the realms of business, manufacturing, and the AI era.
Below, I'll break down this article, full of technical details, into five aspects that even non-technical readers can understand, helping you see beyond the surface.
1. Dreams vs. Reality: Why is a completely glass phone so difficult to create?
Many of us have fantasized about a phone that's as seamless as obsidian—without borders, buttons, or camera holes. This was the ultimate goal pursued by Steve Jobs' team, especially the legendary designer Jony Ive. Over the past decade, Apple has gradually moved closer to this vision: the Home button was removed, the earpiece was hidden, the notch was reduced, and now even the front camera is tucked away in the notch. For the 20th anniversary, Apple wanted to eliminate the metal casing entirely and create a truly all-glass phone.
But reality dealt a blow to Apple's plans. Analysts initially reported that the all-glass design was scrapped due to low production yields. "Yield" is a key economic concept: out of 1,000 phones produced, how many are actually functional? If the glass assembly process is so flawed that 3 out of 10 phones are defective, the cost would be prohibitive, making it unprofitable for Apple to sell them.
So, Apple made a pragmatic decision: to abandon the pure glass design in favor of a hybrid structure of glass and metal. The glass on the front and back still curves to the sides, giving the appearance of a full-glass phone, but an invisible metal band inside provides support and connection.
In simple terms: It's like building a glass building that looks beautiful but is too fragile. The architect decides, "Let's use steel beams as a framework and cover it with glass." The user still sees a glass building, but it's much more robust and cost-effective.
2. Technical Challenges: The corners are a nightmare; the screen can't wrap around the curves
Another major technical hurdle is curve display. Current phone screens are flat or only slightly curved on the sides. An all-glass iPhone would require the screen and glass to cover the entire body, including the corners.
This is like trying to wrap a basketball with a flat piece of paper. You'll find that the paper will wrinkle, tear, or overlap at the corners. The same issue applies to OLED screens, which consist of multiple layers with different elasticity and thicknesses. Forcing the screen to bend at the corners would damage these layers.
Apple acknowledges this in its patents and suggests using cuts to release stress, but these cuts would create visible seams, going against the goal of a seamless design.
Apple's strategies include:
1. Glass extension: The cover glass is curved to cover the edges of the screen.
2. Optical design: The screen is designed to look like it covers the entire glass, even though the pixels may not extend to the edges.
3. Under-screen technology: Cameras and Face ID are hidden beneath the screen, requiring high light transmittance to ensure clear images and accurate facial recognition.
In other words: It's like a magician hiding an elephant in a box with clever tricks—making it seem like the elephant is inside the whole box.
3. The hidden costs: Heat dissipation, maintenance, and the invisible metal
Many think removing metal means a lighter and more attractive phone. However, in economics and engineering, metal is more than just a structural element; it's essential for the phone's functionality:
- Heat dissipation: Chips generate heat, and metal (especially aluminum) conducts heat well. If the casing were all glass, the phone would overheat and slow down.
- Signal and antennas: Glass doesn't conduct electricity, so metal is needed for antennas to function properly.
- Maintenance: If the front and back glass are fused together, replacing a damaged corner would require replacing the entire casing, increasing repair costs.
In other words: Metal is like the load-bearing walls and pipes in a house. It's hidden inside, giving the phone a stylish appearance, but essential for its functionality.
4. Industry comparison: Why did others fail while Apple succeeded?
Articles mention the Xiaomi MIX Alpha and vivo APEX 2020, which also tried all-glass designs but remained concept products. Why?
- Xiaomi MIX Alpha: The high screen-to-body ratio made mass production difficult and costly.
- vivo APEX: While the technology was impressive, it was more for showmanship and not practical for daily use.
Apple's advantages include:
- Supply chain control: Apple can push suppliers like Corning and Samsung to invest in research to improve yields.
- Brand loyalty: Apple users are willing to pay more for design and a sense of completeness.
- Gradual innovation: Apple focuses on practical, mass-producible perfection, rather than radical designs.
5. Strategic significance: The 2027 iPhone as a bridge to the AI era
Looking ahead to 2027:
- CEO transition: Tim Cook will retire in 2026, and John Ternus will take over. The 2027 iPhone will be the new CEO's first major challenge.
- Rise of AI hardware: Apple is developing smart glasses and headphones. Future functions will shift from phones to these devices, making the phone less central.
So, why does Apple still insist on an all-glass design at this point?
- Brand identity: The 20th anniversary iPhone needs a iconic design to reaffirm Apple's status as a leader in design.
- Preparation for AI: As AI devices become more prominent, the phone's screen will play a secondary role. A clean, unobstructed screen is ideal for AI interactions.
- Psychological impact: It signals to users that, even as computing power spreads to other devices, the iPhone remains the most complete and reliable core.
In summary: Apple has chosen a balanced approach between aesthetic perfection and practicality:
- Aesthetics: The all-glass design meets user expectations and Jony Ive's vision.
- Functionality: It relies on a metal frame for heat dissipation, signal transmission, and durability.
- Strategy: It's a final refinement of the iPhone as a core product before the advent of AI hardware and a showcase for the new CEO's vision.
For consumers, this means the 20th anniversary iPhone will look more elegant and advanced, but repairs may be more expensive. It will still be the central device you use daily, not completely replaced by other devices. Apple hasn't abandoned the phone; it's just made it more like a work of art, while preparing for the future AI ecosystem.