Why the Galaxy S4 won't be shedding its plastic roots - CNET

One of the Galaxy S3's few faults is its plastic feel.

(Credit: Josh Miller/CNET)

As great an all-around smartphone as the Galaxy S III is, there's one complaint that often crops up: it feels " plasticky."

At a time when competitors are using glass, aluminum, and even higher quality plastics such as polycarbonate, Samsung has stuck to its guns with a thin, bendable plastic body.

Which is why the Galaxy S4 won't stray too far from that design philosophy.

CNET sat down with YH Lee, executive vice president of Samsung's mobile business, to discuss the company's thoughts on design and materials, and while the executive declined to go into specifics or even acknowledge the GS4, there was plenty to discuss in terms of the choices a company must make when choosing materials for a smartphone.

When Samsung looks at what materials to use, it isn't just taking into consideration the aesthetic quality of the device. The company is also looking at how quickly and efficiently it can manufacture the product, knowing that it will have to ship a massively high volume.

HTC bragged about the time it takes to cut and process the front and rear parts of its all-metal One, noting that it takes about 200 minutes per smartphone. While the end result is a gorgeous-looking phone, it may not work at the scale that Samsung is looking to achieve.

"Since we are shipping really large units, we always have to think how efficiently we can manage the manufacturability and also durability," Lee said.

Check back in with CNET on March 14 for all the details of the GS4.

(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

One other sacrifice Samsung has discussed in the past has been the need to retain the removable back cover and ability to replace the battery, an issue other companies deal with as well. An LG executive told CNET that the company had gotten some complaints about the Optimus G because the back wouldn't come off. The larger Optimus G Pro comes with a removable back.

Samsung has also argued that the plastic back cover, which feels light, is actually more durable than other smartphones. The cover, for instance, is bendable, enabling it to better handle the impact of a drop. CNET Editor Jessica Dolcourt noted in her review that it is "just about the nicest plastic phone I've ever seen."

Still, Samsung's GS4 will come just as others are stepping up their game when it comes to design. Apple's iPhone 5 may have gotten knocked for sticking to the same fundamental look, but there's no mistaking that the thin metal frame looks and feels like a premium product. Likewise, the One's all-aluminum body stands out among a sea of bland Android competitors.

While Nokia has stuck to plastic, it is using of a harder version of the material, called polycarbonate. In addition, the Lumia line of smartphones feature more vibrant colors, allowing them to pop while on display in store shelves.

HTC One aims to make good first impression with all-metal body

Samsung acknowledges that the industry has upped its game, and Lee said the company has attempted to strike a balance between practical demands and the desire for a more premium-feeling product.

"I think the next product has a nice balance between this," she said. "We listen to the market and try to accommodate."