Why?

[Aquila]

You were going to play with the phone for two weeks and return it?

Is that where refurbished devices come from? RMA, etc. is probably also a major reason for the delta between the BOM and MSRP... if they have to make 30% (for example) more than they're selling to cover up front returns and warranty claims, then a BOM of $220 might actually be $286 of materials.

 

[Haalcyon]

Please.... sure ill elaborate-

A... you start a thread to complain about things that have been complained about over and over and play dumb that you never new(and I know your not dumb)

B... you own a phone thats made of cheap plastic yet complain about a tini strip of plastic on the HTC ONE-.....

it's a troll post and im shocked that you'd stoop to such a level..

That's your perspective. Had I not asked the question I wouldn't have the answer. It's for the antennas. I didn't know that. Read my initial post. I have no problem with the plastic. I took issue with it being marketed as "All metal". The gaps I actually saw in the store were real, to note them is trolling?

To others, yes I may purchase one knowing I can return it. ...unless I prefer it. It costs $700 and I don't think it affects their bottom line.

Sent from my humble S4

 

[Aquila]

To others, yes I may purchase one knowing I can return it. ...unless I prefer it. It costs $700 and I don't think it affects their bottom line.

Yeah, I'm not saying renting increases costs in a meaningful way, but RMA's might. That's a much huger volume.

 

[LegalAmerican]

For god sakes there's only 3 plastic things on this phone everything else is Metal so is it all metal phone except for 3 plastic things.

Posted via Android Central App

Well then the S4 is all metal except for a few big pieces. All metal is all metal.

 

[Haalcyon]

Well then the S4 is all metal except for a few big pieces. All metal is all metal.

That's an interesting, if unique, perspective.

Sent from my humble S4

 

[return_0]

Well then the S4 is all metal except for a few big pieces. All metal is all metal.

The One can't be all metal, unless HTC wants their phone to have good reception and for the anntenae to not be blocked. On the other hand, the GS4 is nearly all plastic. I'm pretty sure the GS4's antennae and radios don't cover the entire phone.

The One is all metal except for a couple of thin strips that need to be plastic. The GS4 is all metal except... pretty much the entire phone. That's the difference.

 

[Oofa]

I get where Haalcyon is coming from. You have been bombarded with "this is the best of the best" and "all metal" for months and when you get your hands on the phone not only is it not all metal but there are gaps. Not a good first impression. What I don't get is why anyone would think of the op as trolling. How can anyone share an experience or ask a question if the original post is considered trolling?

 

[return_0]

I get where Haalcyon is coming from. You have been bombarded with "this is the best of the best" and "all metal" for months and when you get your hands on the phone not only is it not all metal but there are gaps. Not a good first impression. What I don't get is why anyone would think of the op as trolling. How can anyone share an experience or ask a question if the original post is considered trolling?

The OP is obviously not trolling, but it's been mentioned several times that there is some plastic on the phone and that that plastic is required. Heck, it's even mentioned in AC's review of the One! And most of what the OP thought was plastic actually wasn't plastic, so it isn't even a major problem.

 

[LegalAmerican]

Just a heads up, I was kidding about the S4 being all metal. I was just laughing about how before, everyone said the One was all 100% metal and therefore was better than Samsung for using cheap plastic. Now it's: "Well it's MOSTLY metal, but you have to use some plastic for reception!" Which is certainly true, it's just funny to see a thread where HTC fans are defending the use of plastic.

 

[return_0]

Just a heads up, I was kidding about the S4 being all metal. I was just laughing about how before, everyone said the One was all 100% metal and therefore was better than Samsung for using cheap plastic. Now it's: "Well it's MOSTLY metal, but you have to use some plastic for reception!" Which is certainly true, it's just funny to see a thread where HTC fans are defending the use of plastic.

It's not funny at all, because plastic is fine when it's required to have a fully functioning phone (as in the case of the One), but it isn't preferred when it serves no purpose (as in the case of the GS4).

 

[anon(394005)]

I get the confusion, but yeah it's assumed to be an effort to combat the antennae-gate issue from previous metal devices. I've played with a couple Ones and I really do like the way they look, but not so much the way they feel. They felt cold which made my hands feel clammy sliding across the screen. Gorgeous screen. The buttons confuse me. I'm not sure where they're trying to go with that strategy. I'd love to hear how you enjoy your test drive.

I can relate to this (and the OP's sentiment). I was initially intrigued by the all metal design and saw all the talk about its "Premium" look and feel. But once I got my hands on it and saw the various gaps and the plastic strips (which I knew were for the antennas), I just didn't get the premium feeling at all. I then lost all interest in it after playing with the software and the button setup, both of which felt alien to me compared to any device I've had before (including a HTC Thunderbolt). I walked away disappointed and confused on all the hype. Anyway, I know this is all just subjective. But I felt compelled to add my two cents.

 

[xtn]

1. Nothing is truly all metal except atoms of the element. Once you start assembling those atoms into an object with some noticeable mass you're going to have contamination. Even "pure" gold isn't 100% gold.

2. The plastic back of the GS4 serves a purpose. Probably several purposes. Cost purposes? Procurement purposes? Manufacturability purposes? Design criteria purposes?

 

[Haalcyon]

If they just said something like, "The Premium HTC One, built like no other" it would have been better sounding to me. I'm nit picking obviously. Thanks all that took the time to straighten me out on this though.

Sent from my humble S4

 

[petaf]

Why is this such a big deal to you???

 

[LegalAmerican]

It's not funny at all, because plastic is fine when it's required to have a fully functioning phone (as in the case of the One), but it isn't preferred when it serves no purpose (as in the case of the GS4).

I thought it was funny. Some people have different senses of humor. I followed way too many heated arguments between One and S4 owners to not laugh now when One owners defend plastic on their "all metal device". It's the same as if/when S4 owners talk about how great metal phones are. I don't own either phone, so I don't have a dog in the fight. Don't take it personal, i'm not an S4 owner dogging on your One. I laughed at the comments that defended the plastic because back in June, very few owners of the One would say a single good thing about plastic. I'm just glad nonsense has been replaced with common sense and actual level headed thinking.

 

[Gator352]

My wifes play thing is all plastic (with a rubber type coating) but the control knob is metal. Should we return it? I'm afraid she's going to "zap" herself on the knob when it gets wet......

 

[LegalAmerican]

My wifes play thing is all plastic (with a rubber type coating) but the control knob is metal. Should we return it? I'm afraid she's going to "zap" herself on the knob when it gets wet......

I guess it would depend on if they told you it was all metal to begin with.

 

[Gator352]

If they just said something like, "The Premium THC One, built like no other" it would have been better sounding to me. I'm nit picking obviously. Thanks all that took the time to straighten me out on this though.

Sent from my humble S4

"THC One" ?

Are we smoking them now? But I bet all the plastic would make it taste like crap.....

 

[Gator352]

I guess it would depend on if they told you it was all metal to begin with.

No, on the box it says all plastic.....

But since it has metal on it....it's false advertising. Damn, even the package had metal staples on it....I'm so disappointed.

 

[xtn]

Even the parts that are aluminum aren't ALL aluminum. They're an alloy of aluminum with some other metals, some non metals, and some unintended contaminants.