Been thinking about replacing the current smartphone, as the touchscreen seems to be failing(Screen replacement seems to be not so economic).

Saw different colours being offered. Black, White, Blueish and Greenish colours were common.

Does the external body colour affect the efficiency of the phone? Like, in heat going out or going in? Or the ease of cleaning it? White colours seem to show presence of dust etc?

And are there other places where the colour matters?
I’ve read that white roofs generally have a lower heat gain than other ones(without infrared reflecting paint).

  • happydoors@lemm.ee
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    15 hours ago

    The answer is yes! It depends on the type of material and the goals. For instance, the iPhone 4 was supposed to have a white version on release but it was delayed. Apple eventually blamed the different in heat and UV radiation being different, if I remember correctly. Vague rumors that it messed with the proximity sensor also floated around. This was during the antenna-gate “you’re holding it wrong” era. Could be all BS and there was no formal explanation given.

    Most times it probably doesn’t affect very much but manufacturing engineers spend a lot of R&D to make sure it doesn’t by the time things to get to consumers!

  • stealth_cookies@lemmy.ca
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    1 day ago

    Yes, surface material and colour can affect the thermal performance of a device. However when it comes to a smartphone with different colours this difference is almost certainly negligible.

    Heat is transmitted by 3 methods, conduction, convection and radiation. For radiation heat transfer there are two properties that affect how much heat is transmitted/absorbed by the surface, temperature and emissivity. Generally darker colours have higher emissivity than lighter colours or reflective surfaces, but different colours of a phone are going to be close assuming they are the same material and radiation is a minor component in cooling a phone.

    • Tiefling IRL@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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      1 day ago

      I bought a small metal clip that hangs out the charging port of my case and tied a ribbon to it. I also keep my phone on a neon lanyard during big events or when I don’t have pockets.

    • Achyu@lemmy.sdf.orgOP
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      1 day ago

      Indeed.
      I had read an article that said that black cars may be more likely to get into accidents, citing some study. Not sure if it was confirmed by other studies, but it seems to be a good point to consider.

  • Kache@lemm.ee
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    1 day ago

    Perhaps a lighter/reflective color can keep its temperature lower for longer if you think you might leave it lying under the sun? Overheating damages the battery