This Battle Scarred iPhone Actually Looks Beautiful, In Its Own Unique Way

The image of a "battle scarred" original iPhone handset has recently hit the Web, and interestingly, the device looks strangely beautiful. Apple's most recent iPhone - the iPhone 4 - unfortunately isn't all that resilient. Recently, I found this out the hard way, when I dropped my handset on a pavement and smashed the front glass screen to smithereens. Now, I carry the device in a rubber case, and handle it with extreme, extreme care. However, Apple's original iPhone is a little tougher. Well, it's actually a whole lot tougher (essentially, it's like comparing Clint Eastwood to Kurt from Glee). This means that, so long as original iPhone owners are happy to stay stranded at iOS 3.1.3, the handset itself will most likely survive any "mishaps" that might occur during your time together. But, have you ever thought about the beauty in iPhone battle scars? I hadn't, until I saw Remy Labesque's "Aged to Perfection" article, over at Design Mind. As Labesque notes, his original iPhone has suffered a great deal and - though it's covered in scratches and other scars - actually looks strangely beautiful:

After 3+ years of having been carried in the same pocket as a ring of keys, the iPhone has acquired a polished patina over its aluminum shell. Abrasion of its hard-anodized surface has revealed the raw aluminum within.

It's interesting how Apple's original iPhones are more "built to last." This is certainly the case with my iPhone 3G, which I bought in 2008 and is still currently in working condition. It's a little bruised around the edges, but it works and looks rather good - considering the handset has been dropped over 20 times, and has lived its life largely caseless. It also begs the question: Should Apple attempt to create "sturdier" iPhones in the future? Is the iPhone 4 a little too delicate to live and serve in the "real" world? The answer, I think, is probably yes. I mean, the iPhone 4 looks great, but at the moment that doesn't matter to me - because my iPhone is currently living its life inside a protective rubber case, which kind of defeats the object in having a beautifully designed smart phone to begin with. There are rumors that the iPhone 5 will have a metal back, or even look very similar to Apple's original handsets. If you ask me, this is definitely a step in the right direction. I want a smart phone that looks great, but can also survive a fall or two. How about you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. [via TUAW]

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