As fun as this thread is, its kinda pointless if we are all arguing/debating different things. So maybe those things should be clarified before people get upset (or maybe they already have?)
Design, look and feel
This can mean different things to different people it could mean.
- The actual look of the phone. Does it look modern, does it look futuristic, does it stand out. This part can be very subjective due to taste. GS3 and Motorola RAZR a good examples of this.
- The attention to detail. For some great design means every curve, every edge, every screw has been meticulously looked over and is there for a reason. This is where I sit with design. Apple is a great example of a company having this quality in most of their designs.
- Ergonomics. How the phone actually feels in the hand, how comfortable it is. To some, great design is how well a phone fits in your hand. Great examples of ergonomic phones are the BlackBerry Torch 9860 and Palm Pre.
Build Quality
- Ruggedness. To some, great build quality means if you drop it 20 times, the phone will still be ok and show minimal damage. Examples of this are Lumnia 920 and GS3.
- Longevity. To others, great build quality means with normal use, just pulling it in and out your pocket over 2 years, that it will show minimal wear and tear. Examples of this would be iPhone 4, Nexus 4.
- Materials. Some connect build quality with the quality of the materials and how they are put together. The quality of the screen, the quality of the glass, the quality of the front and back panels, and how well all those components are put together. iPhone 5, HTC One fit here.
And of course, not everything, or everyone fits perfectly in those categories either, but most likely all of those categories weigh differently on a person when they come up with how well a phone "looks and feels" and its build quality. I myself prioritize, in order, number 2, 3, then 1 in the first category and number 3, 2, then 1 in the second, so a phone like the iPhone 5 to me is just incredible design and build that feels great in the hand. But someone who prioritizes 3, 1, then 2 in the first category and 1, 2, then 3 in the second probably feels as though the iPhone is a boring bland design with fragile build quality and uncomfortable to hold.
So how about we clarify our stances on what build quality and design mean to us before we start name calling?