7mo ago

Does the colour of an appliance like smartphones matter in the aspect of efficiency or use?

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).

31 comments

Red ones go faster.
- Is this a movie reference?
  
  This is a reference to Warhammer 40k, a tabletop gaming / book / video game franchise
  The Orkz in the setting paint their war trucks red because they believe it makes them go faster. And it does, in fact, make them go faster
  
  No, just a pre-internet meme about red cars.
  
  Google Star Trek Red Shirts
- The number of misconceptions from this allusion far exceeded my expectations.
In terms of heat, efficiency etc., the difference would be negligible if it's even there to begin with.
The only real difference you'd see is dirt build-up, which would be more noticable on lighter colors. This would still occur on darker colors but you wouldn't see it as easily.
- True.
  Have you noted any places where colour would matter?
  
  Anything that is in the sun. A white car will not heat up as quick as a black one when you drive in the summer, same for a light colored roof on a house, or a train or a bus.
  So whenever something is outside and facing the sun, choose the lighter colored version.
  
  Why planes are usually painted white
  
  It matters for growing plants. White containers will draw less heat.
- The glossy black that was super popular for everything electronic years ago used to show fingerprints like crazy
No.
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.
i have found that brighter ones can be easier to find at the bottom of a bag or on the counter
- 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.
- 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.
- I have a green phone now because I was tired of loosing it on the dark countertops in my home.
slaps a black vinyl case on every phone I buy, ever
Nope!
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
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!
(Product)^Red appliances efficiently makes one look like a sucker for corporate “charity” malarkey https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fraud-plagues-global-health-fund-backed-bono-others-flna1c9465258
I like the word smartpjone. /gen
- Aah. Fixed that
  
  Noooo

31 comments