[ajross]

Uh... it's a touch screen with a computer inside of it. What sort of "look" were you expecting? By that standard, how is the 4/4S not a "3GS" knockoff?

Seriously, smartphones all look the same today (modulo the occasional models with hardware keyboards). If you really believe otherwise, you're way too close to the industry.

[mgcross]

If you're looking at a powered-off screen only, maybe all smartphones look the same. Do all laptops look the same? The design and construction of the bezel, sides and back of a smartphone contribute significantly to the user's experience. Design also serves to differentiate devices with very similar hardware and capabilities in a crowded market.

GP may have been referring to build quality/materials, but I could be wrong. HTC devices tend to use more metal and non-slip surfaces that feel solid, as opposed to Samsung's plastic. SGS2 vs HTC Amaze for instance.

I personally think Samsung phones _look_ better, but don't feel as robust as most HTC phones.