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Density equals mass over volume and what makes your device feel like a premium product

Categories: Ideas and rants
By: , IntoMobile
Monday, October 8th, 2007 at 5:26 AM

thor.jpgI still remember the first time I picked up my Nokia E61i, I named it “The Hammer of Thor.” The device weighs 15o grams and has the following dimensions: 11.7 x 7 x 1.39 cm; that gives it a density of ~ 1.32 g/cc. Compare that with the Nokia N95, 120 grams and much chunkier at 9.9 x 5.3 x 2.1 cm. It has a density of 1.09, the thing practically floats in water.

Recently I had the chance to play with a Nokia 6500 Classic and was amazed by how heavy it was in such a small package. I know several limp wristed individuals out there are going to complain about weight, but what happened to real men who like their devices heavy, who like to feel quality?

The 6500 is 94 grams and only 10.98 x 4.5 x .95 cm, that is a density of 2.0, that is a device that feels absolutely amazing in the hand.

What about other phone makers? The HTC TyTN II is 11.2 x 5.9 x 1.9 cm and weighs 190 grams. That baby has a density of 1.51 and one thing you always hear people say when they’re talking about the TyTN II is the fact that it feels incredibly solid. The iPhone, 135 grams and 11.5 x 6.1 x 1.16 cm has a density of 1.66.

Enough math, its Monday and you’re probably still recovering from the weekend, what I’m trying to drive home is that a weighty device isn’t a bad thing. Feeling good in the hand goes beyond the plastics or metals used, there is another element, density, that is event more important when taking into consideration purchasing a product.

Device makers should not be worrying about shedding weight, but instead shedding millimeters. Who else likes heavy objects in small spaces, don’t they just feel like a totally different class of product compared to everything else on the market?

About The Author

Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.

  • Dieter

    I totally agree. Hm. Maybe folks should add lead weights? ;)

    The most important thing for me is the “creak” factor. If I feel flex anywhere on the device, it immediately feels cheap.

  • Al

    I totally agree. A heavy phone is a manly phone. I really miss my Nokia N90.

  • Alexandr3

    Have you checked 8800 density? It’s a heavy phone for the small package it is. I think it fits your theory well.

  • Vaibhav Sharma

    I dont mind the weight if we get steel on the phone. Metal given the phone a great charm!
    The 6300, N91 etc.. Look real classy cause of that.