Briefly about one of the trends in smartphones from 2018 – unusual color design.
Original material
Take a look at your smartphone. What colour is he? The black? White?
Most likely one of these two colors. Black and white are the most popular versions when launching devices, although manufacturers sometimes seduce buyers with special colors for a limited series of devices. This approach may encourage you to buy a device, even if it hasn't evoked any feelings before.
The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL both came in “special” colors that were more popular than the standard white and black models. If you were trying to get the Pixel 2 XL in a panda color scheme, then the first few months after launch, you would be left with a pocket full of money in a hard disappointment.
Why? This Pixel 2 XL version was different from everyone else. Most devices had solid colors. This version used both white and black, topped off with an orange power button. The popularity was due precisely to this difference.
People love to be unique, which is why we have different hairstyles, different clothes and hobbies. Each iPhone can be black, white, gold, red, but there is a whole market with thousands of cases in different colors and designs. We all need to express ourselves. Manufacturers understand this and systematically release new colors.
OnPlus is a great example of a company that knows how to use complementary colors to maintain public interest. The OnePlus 5T originally came in black only. After 2 months, the company created a lot of noise on social media, hinting at an upcoming novelty. She has a new color – white with a Sandstone texture. Then there was the Star Wars version. And then there's Lava Red, released just months before the OnePlus 6.
OnePlus understands its audience. It is easy to captivate and inspire people with the simplest thing, if it is something new, and especially if it is unique. OnePlus can keep its devices on the radar of consumers almost forever by adding new colors and textures. There is no doubt that the company will release its latest flagship OnePlus 6 in new colors in the coming months.
2018 saw two big trends in device rendering: full screen cutout design and unique color options. Let's look at examples of the past six months.
Although Samsung is known for the rich color gamut of its devices, it always comes up with something simple, like a blue smartphone. But not this year. Although lilac-purple is part of the Pantone color scheme, the S9 in this design has attracted a lot of attention from the Android community. The color is relatively simple and does not look provocative, but even this step away from Samsung's traditional color schemes piques consumer interest.
A few months after that Huawei released the P20 in “twilight” color. It was a bold move, nothing like this had ever existed. The gradient made people as excited as the triple camera. This model has become an absolute hit. I have seen several people with this model in San Francisco, given the official lack of devices in the US. Here it is, commitment to the idea.
OnePlus has released three color versions of the OnePlus 6, each with its own unique aspects and tactile feel. The Powder White model has a soft, powder-like finish. The version with a mirrored back (like the matte one) reflects the light with the letter S. It cannot be called some crazy color variation, but the uniqueness is present. OnePlus has gone further and has released a limited edition model based on the movie Avengers: Infinity War, leaving loyal fans with delight. The year is not over yet, there will be something else.
Last year HTC announced the U11 Plus with a transparent back cover that exposes the wireless charging coil. The unique design has been picked up by many media outlets, and this year HTC excelled again.
HTC The U12 Plus is not yet available in stores, but press reviews for the device are mostly positive. Despite the impressive technical stuffing, most of the noise is caused by the transparent blue performance. This model is slightly less bright than last year, but when coupled with the dual camera looks like something out of science fiction. Without a doubt, this trend will soon be picked up by other manufacturers.
Written by David Aymel
My attitude towards bright colors in smartphones has changed over the years. At one time, I did not recognize anything other than black. Then there was a period of wild excitement about Moto Maker and customization of the appearance of devices. Then the period of black matte plastic began, which passed into the era of glossy matt aluminum. In principle, I'm still on it, but from time to time I change stickers on my phone, from textured dark to bright and warm shades.
In my material on the topic of color differentiation, I expressed the hope that manufacturers will finally hear users and begin to offer more original colors than black, white and gold. The first steps have already been taken and this cannot but rejoice. What do you think, which position is closer to you? Do you choose devices by color, taking into account the trends prevailing this year? Or is the visual aspect not critical to you?