Ethan Clarke
Apple's iPhone 5C is made of polycarbonate plastic, which has been praised for its premium feel, grip, and smoothness. While some appreciate the use of plastic for its insulating properties, others have criticized it for appearing cheap and being prone to scratches and cracks. The iPhone 5C's glossy finish has been particularly criticized for showcasing scratches more easily than a matte finish. Despite this, some users have expressed a desire for similar plastic cases for newer iPhone models, appreciating the unique and expressive holes on the back of the iPhone 5C that showcase the phone's color even through the case.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Polycarbonate plastic |
| Scratch-resistant | Coated to prevent scratching |
| Shatter-resistant | Yes |
| Heat-resistant | Yes |
| Weight | Lightweight |
| Durability | Prone to scratching |
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What You'll Learn
iPhone 5C case material
The iPhone 5C is made of plastic, specifically polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that is known for its durability and has been used in various industries, including optics and aviation, for its shatter-resistant properties. While the iPhone 5C's polycarbonate body is coated to prevent scratches, some users have reported that it still scratches easily and requires a case for better protection.
Polycarbonate is a common material used in the smartphone industry. Nokia, for instance, uses polycarbonate for the cases of its Lumia 925 and 1020 smartphones, while HTC and Samsung have used it for their One X and some Galaxy models, respectively. Apple's decision to use polycarbonate for the iPhone 5C may have been influenced by its shatter-resistance and heat-resistance properties, making it a safer choice for a smartphone case material.
The iPhone 5C's plastic case received mixed reviews from users. Some appreciated the premium feel of the plastic back, describing it as "grippy" and "smooth." The use of plastic also meant that the phone didn't get as hot as metal-bodied phones, as plastic serves as an insulator for heat. However, others criticized the glossy finish of the iPhone 5C, believing that it looked cheap and would show scratches more easily than a matte finish.
While the iPhone 5C's plastic case offered some advantages, some users felt that it didn't live up to Apple's standards of product quality. Apple has a history of plastic products that crack, and some users expressed concern that the iPhone 5C would face similar issues. Additionally, the need for a case to protect the phone negated the advantage of its plastic construction, as users would typically cover up the coloured plastic case with a protective case anyway.
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Scratch resistance
The iPhone 5C is made of plastic, specifically polycarbonate plastic. While polycarbonate is a type of plastic that is shatter-resistant, heat-resistant, and keeps the phone's weight down, it is prone to scratching. In fact, one of the biggest downsides of polycarbonate is that it scratches easily.
Apple has a history of making plastic products that crack, and the iPhone 5C is no exception. Many users have reported issues with cracking and scratching on their iPhone 5C devices. The glossy finish of the iPhone 5C also shows scratches more easily than a matte finish.
To test the scratch resistance of the iPhone 5C, Taiwan Apple Daily conducted an experiment where they placed an iPhone 5C rear shell into a plastic bag filled with coins and a car key. After shaking the bag, the iPhone 5C part came away unscratched, even when scratched directly with a key. According to the report, the rear casing has a surface hardness rating of 8H on the pencil hardness scale.
Despite the scratch resistance demonstrated in the Taiwan Apple Daily experiment, it is still recommended to use a case to protect the iPhone 5C from scratches and other damage. While the plastic used in the iPhone 5C is coated to keep from scratching, it is not completely scratch-proof.
Overall, while the iPhone 5C's plastic construction offers some benefits in terms of shatter and heat resistance, it is still prone to scratching and may require a case for adequate protection.
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Shatter resistance
The iPhone 5C is made of polycarbonate plastic, a material that is widely used in the optical industry for crafting eyeglass lenses that are shatter-resistant and thinner than standard plastic lenses. Polycarbonate is also used in sunglasses, windshields on motorcycles, planes and helicopters, some computer screens, and e-ink devices.
While polycarbonate is a type of plastic, not all plastics are polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a superior material that keeps weight down, is shatter-resistant, and heat-resistant. This makes it an excellent choice for smartphone cases, as it provides protection against accidental drops and helps dissipate heat, a common issue with metal-bodied phones.
However, some users have expressed concerns about the durability of Apple's plastic products, citing issues with cracking and scratching. Apple's plastic iPhone 5C may require a case to protect it from scratches, which some users feel negates the advantage of its plastic construction and the ability to choose a device colour.
Despite this, the shatter-resistant nature of polycarbonate provides a level of protection against drops and impacts, which is a significant advantage, especially when compared to more fragile materials like glass.
While the iPhone 5C's plastic construction may not be to everyone's taste, it offers a good balance between durability and weight, making it a practical choice for those seeking a lightweight and reasonably durable smartphone.
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Heat resistance
The iPhone 5C is made of polycarbonate plastic. While polycarbonate is a type of plastic, not all plastics are polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a shatter-resistant and heat-resistant material that is also used to craft eyeglass lenses, motorcycle windshields, and some computer screens.
Polycarbonate is a heat-resistant plastic that falls under the broader category of thermoplastics. Thermoplastics are plastics that become molten when heated, solid when cooled, and can be re-melted after cooling. The heat resistance of thermoplastics is affected by factors such as the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the melting point. Thermoplastics with higher melting points tend to be more heat-resistant.
There are a variety of heat-resistant plastics that are commercially available, each with its own unique properties and applications. Here are some examples:
- ULTEM®, or polyetherimide (PEI), is a widely used heat-resistant plastic with a high melting point of 219°C and a maximum continuous service temperature of 170°C. It is often used in circuit boards, food sterilization equipment, and aircraft parts.
- PEEK, or polyether ether ketone, is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic that is resistant to heat, chemicals, wear, and fatigue. It can withstand temperatures up to 310°C for short periods and has a melting point of over 371°C. PEEK is commonly used in medical devices, car transmissions, and aircraft exterior parts.
- PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, is a polymer that can continuously withstand temperatures up to 500 °F (260 °C) without compromising its mechanical properties. It is chemically inert and can be exposed to acids, cleaning products, and corrosive agents. PTFE is commonly used in high-temperature environments and is also available in food-grade quality.
While metal is generally considered more heat-resistant than plastic, heat-resistant plastics offer several advantages. They are lighter in weight, making them ideal for industries such as aerospace and automotive, where lightweight components are crucial. Additionally, some plastics offer better corrosion resistance than metals when exposed to a wide range of chemicals.
In summary, the iPhone 5C's polycarbonate plastic offers heat resistance, and there are various other heat-resistant plastics available with unique properties and applications. These plastics play a crucial role in industries where high-temperature performance is required.
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Case design
The iPhone 5C features a plastic case, specifically made from polycarbonate. This material is used in the optical industry to craft eyeglass lenses that are shatter-resistant and thinner than standard plastic lenses. It is also used in the production of motorcycle, plane, and helicopter windshields, and for some computer screens and e-ink devices.
Polycarbonate is a type of plastic, but not all plastics are polycarbonate. Apple's use of polycarbonate as a manufacturing material for the iPhone 5C is not unique, as other smartphone manufacturers like Nokia, HTC, and Samsung have also used it for their smartphone cases.
The iPhone 5C's plastic case received mixed reviews. Some users liked the plastic back, describing it as "premium", "grippy", and "smooth". They also appreciated that plastic serves as an insulator for heat, a benefit over metal phone bodies.
However, others criticized the glossy finish of the iPhone 5C, saying that it looked cheap and would show scratches more easily than a matte finish. Some users also expressed concern about Apple's history of plastic products cracking and discolouring. Despite polycarbonate being shatter-resistant, some users still recommended putting a case on the iPhone 5C to protect it from scratches and other damage.
The iPhone 5C's case design also featured unique and expressive holes on the back, allowing the phone's colour to be visible even when a case was on. This aspect of the design was appreciated by some users.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the iPhone 5C case is made of plastic, specifically polycarbonate plastic.
Apple used polycarbonate plastic for the iPhone 5C case because it keeps weight down, is shatter-resistant, and is heat-resistant.
While the iPhone 5C's polycarbonate case is shatter-resistant, it can still scratch easily. Therefore, it is recommended to use a case to protect your iPhone 5C from scratches.
