13 ms·

The physical Apple Card is a case of form over function

192 points by geerlingguy 7y ago

sprafa 7y ago
Why not launch a plastic card and have this as an option
- FDSGSG 7y ago
  Is there any demand for plastic cards beyond this one guy whose phone case doesn't work with them?
conqrr 7y ago
Meh it's perfectly designed. They want you to stop using a wallet. The ultimate goal of the physical card is to kill the wallet, other cards and eventually itself to be replaced by just the phone.
ksaj 7y ago
Two decades ago I used to bling out with Versace and other labels on items that were guaranteed to only last one season. I gave that up back then. I'm not about to start doing it with "gift cards" now. Trendy is such a wasteful way to live. If you need to throw money away for status, I can think of far more beneficial ways to do it than a poorly designed payment card that scratches and stains too easily.
- wilg 7y ago
  Of course, it doesn't cost any money.
- comex 7y ago
  Like most credit cards, the Apple Card is free. Of course, the merchant pays a fee when you use it, and you get some of that back in the form of rewards, so you have to compare how the Apple Card’s reward scheme stacks up against other cards. I’m not an expert, but from what I’ve heard it’s at least decent. So there’s really no money being thrown away here.
  - matwood 7y ago
    The rewards are ok for a free card as long as you use Apple Pay. Don't use the physical card if you care about rewards (I didn't even order the card). The clear, daily cash back feature is nice.
  - kamyarg 7y ago
    > the merchant pays a fee when you use it You do know that they increase the default price to compensate for the commission they pay to the banks right? Ultimately the result is: - the bank mostly is unaffected because it gets the point it gives you from the merchant - Merchant increase the price that to compensate for the commission - you are not affected because whatever you get as points you pay back with the increase in price - whoever pays cash is paying 3% more which goes mostly to the merchant
- FDSGSG 7y ago
  "Poorly designed" may be subjective, but do you happen have any evidence to support your claim that Apple Card "scratches and stains too easily"?
  - ksaj 7y ago
    Here's an article pointing out Apple's warning not to put these cards into leather wallets. I'm guessing they want you to carry it in a silk sachel lovingly hung around your neck by a fine golden braid. It literally went to market with everyone knowing you can't put it where you normally put such cards. https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2019/8/21/20827303/apple-card-titanium-goldman-sachs-iphone-users-cleaning-warning-discoloration https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2019/8/21/20827303/apple-card-...
    - FDSGSG 7y ago
      > It literally went to market with everyone knowing you can't put it where you normally put such cards But you totally can. Apple just points out that the Apple card, like literally any other card can get scratched or discolored.
      - tidepod12 7y ago
        > literally any other card can get scratched or discolored. Uhh, what? I'm looking at my wallet of cards right now, all of which I have had for multiple years. I have 2 metal cards, 4 plastic cards. Only one of them, the one that I have had for 3 years, is discolored in any way, and even then the discoloration is minor (its more of a dulling of the shininess, not really discoloration).
        FDSGSG 7y ago
        I'm not saying they will, just saying they can. There's no magic coating on those cards making them particularly resistant to discoloration. Odds are the Apple card would be exactly like your other cards.
the_watcher 7y ago
So, a v1 Apple product? All jokes aside, to me, Apple tends to release beautiful products from the beginning that often lack the killer functionality that drives mass adoption, but has a reasonably good track record of catching up on that in subsequent releases.
- TheOtherHobbes 7y ago
  Apple Card 2.0 Pro - available in denim, leather, or diamond-coated black ceramic with turtleneck print.
psychometry 7y ago
>The Apple Card has been raked through the coals over this support document because it is not recommended for use near leather (the most common material used in wallets) or denim (one of the most common outerwear materials). Nor is it recommended to be touching any other credit cards. Nor is it recommended to be in a pocket or bag containing loose change, keys, or any other kind of potentially-abrasive items. This is some Happy Fun Ball-level absurdity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmqeZl8OI2M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmqeZl8OI2M).
- supernintendo 7y ago
  Right? How the hell are you expected to carry this thing?
  - nomel 7y ago
    All of my other credit cards are scratched up and look awful. If these other cards had instructions to keep them pristine, they would have similarly laughable requirements.
  - mamon 7y ago
    On a silk cushion, carried around by your servant?
  - threeseed 7y ago
    Shockingly quite simple. If you are obsessive over the look of your items then you can use the support guide to keep it looking pristine. Otherwise just use it like a normal credit card and understand that a white card is going to discolour over time.
    - kadoban 7y ago
      Okay, but what is the support-guide-approved way to even carry the thing? The listed no-nos seem to exclude literally every place on my person that I carry any items.
      - 7y ago
phinnaeus 7y ago
One thing I haven't seen discussed much is the change from the original marketing materials which described the user's name as being engraved on the card, rather than printed. Ultimately I think complaints about the physical card are sort of silly. To be honest, I'm a little surprised Apple included one at all, since the point is to drive businesses in the US to supporting contact-less payments. Of course once they decided to include a physical card, it wasn't going to be a basic plastic card.
- iguy 7y ago
  > point is to drive businesses in the US to supporting contact-less payments. So the card does not support contactless payment by itself? Only magnetic strip and chip? I hadn't realised this, but I guess might be difficult to do in metal. Is it too much to wonder whether making it out of metal is to distract from this missing feature, because they'd prefer you to pay with the phone?
  - dwaite 7y ago
    They probably wanted to remove every single thing from the card that was superfluous - leaving the name, chip, magstripe, Apple's logo along with the bank and network logo (GS and MC). Particularly, no numbers, signature, bank contact info, or NFC. And yes, they get away with this by pushing wireless payment, number/CVV, and contact onto the phone.
  - wmf 7y ago
    It's not exactly a missing feature; I have a bunch of (mostly high-end) credit cards and none of them support contactless.
- threeseed 7y ago
  Even in Australia where contactless is ubiquitous I still need to use my card in about 5% of transactions. Often it's the design of the machine that makes it hard to complete with your phone. And then if you keep failing to complete it will ask you to insert/swipe a physical card.
- dpkonofa 7y ago
nickthegreek 7y ago
I'm gonna be honest. I got the card for Form as I don't really use credit cards but always like to have one in case of an emergency. I was not disappointed. It is a beautiful card and has turned heads of every cashier have I handed it to. Getting the daily cash back notifications was genius on their part. I wouldn't be surprised if I use the card more than I thought I would solely because of the form. I also purchased a cheap plastic sleeve to keep it in to keep it looking good.
- geerlingguy 7y ago
  Do you keep the card separate from your wallet (e.g. in a pocket or something)? I agree the card looks amazing, it's in stark contrast to the vibrant colors on my other cards. It just doesn't work well with my small leather card case or my iPhone card case (the latter mostly because I can't charge wirelessly).
  - nickthegreek 7y ago
    I use a compact wallet and just keep the card (in a plastic sleeve from amazon to keep it looking fresh) in one of the accessible side slots. https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Mason-Black-Leather-Card/dp/B073XXMP3Y https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Mason-Black-Leather-Card/dp/B073... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X968MFG https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X968MFG
- hn_throwaway_99 7y ago
  I agree. Look at that stark white coloring. The tasteful thickness of it. Oh my God, it even has an Apple logo.
  - gimmeThaBeet 7y ago
    A card so gorgeous, most people probably don't think about the practicality. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity and the importance of trends. It's also a personal statement about the brand itself.
- 7y ago
mathieuh 7y ago
This whole thing reminds me of American Psycho, people comparing how their credit cards look, kind of strange to me but I realise I must be in the minority if Apple think it’s a good idea.
- threeseed 7y ago
  No different to people spending money on expensive watches, bags, clothes. You still see less popular celebrities flashing about their American Express Centurion cards.
  - ryanlol 7y ago
    Not many celebrities getting Centurion cards issued in the US anymore.
- nickthegreek 7y ago
  I'll agree with this. I was 18 when that movie came out and I immediately got business cards made with nothing but my name on the front. I also immediately signed up for the card and when I got it, I had the same feeling as when those cards arrived back in 2000.
  - wilg 7y ago
    What feeling is that?
    - deleted 7y ago
      [deleted]
    - dhosek 7y ago
      The feeling of wanting to tie someone up and lecture them on Huey Lewis and the News before murdering them, I suppose.
      - reificator 7y ago
ryanlol 7y ago
>and other plastic credit cards don't have this issue Yes they do. E: Are plastic credit cards really not susceptible to wear or discoloration? Doesn’t match my experience.
threeseed 7y ago
Not the most insightful article around. It seemed to be mostly about his inability to use the card in his particular sleeve.
dqpb 7y ago
> I also believe the physical titanium Apple Card is a marvel of engineering Three SpaceX rockets landing vertically in unison is a marvel of engineering. This is a metal credit card.
- geerlingguy 7y ago
  Have you held and inspected one? The thing is pretty ridiculous in its tolerances. It's not on the same scale as a modern rocket, but I'm willing to bet the microscopic tolerances and knowledge of metallurgy / material science (titanium alloys) is on a similar plane.
  - moftz 7y ago
    If its like every other metal credit card, it's a stamped piece of metal that comes from sheet stock. Then they glue the metal front onto a plastic backing that has the magstripe.
    - Bud 7y ago
      It's not like the others. Which you'd know if you had checked one out before posting.
- deleted 7y ago
  [deleted]
- kevin_thibedeau 7y ago
  It is a minor marvel that titanium can now be wasted on disposable ephemera.
- D-Coder 7y ago
  I can afford a metal credit card...
cageface 7y ago
On another note my experience with customer service on the Apple card is absolutely abysmal. My card was locked on Monday probably because I'm traveling in Europe and that flagged some fraud detection algorithm. With any of my other cards I could resolve this in minutes with a quick SMS or at worst a phone call. Instead I'm still waiting for a call back from a representative that was promised to come no later than Wednesday. I guess I'll add this to the growing list of recent Apple products that look nice but are overdesigned and under engineered and functionally inferior to the competition.
- geerlingguy 7y ago
  They have chat via Messages on the phone, and it worked great for me the one question I had. Go to Wallet app > Apple Card > ..., then tap "Message" I guess if you've had an issue that requires a voice call, though, that wouldn't matter. But I was able to resolve my issue in about 2 minutes via iMessages, which was a zillion times better than when I've had to deal with PNC.
  - cageface 7y ago
    Yeah I started there. I was given a phone number to call, which I called. I was then told somebody would call me to resolve the issue within two days. Five days later I haven't heard a peep. Thankfully I'm not relying on the card for anything important. This just confirms my feeling lately that I can't afford to be locked into their ecosystem.
    - geerlingguy 7y ago
      Sheesh. I've taken the same approach though, I still use my normal CCs for almost every transaction, just wanted to see what Apple Card was all about. The fact that it doesn't have a web interface or any way I can tie it into my financial reporting services/apps is a major turn-off.
      - js2 7y ago
        I'm hoping that's temporary but for now I'm just using the card for Apple purchases and gas stations.
wilg 7y ago
TL;DR It's metal, like many cards, which bothers the author.
- etchalon 7y ago
  I read the article, interested in real examination of the usability issues with the credit card. What I found was someone who doesn't like metal cards, and didn't realize they would be a problem before signing up for one.
fortran77 7y ago
You can sharpen the edge of the Apple Card into a pretty good knife. I think they should ban Apple Cards from airplanes in addition to (some) Macbook Pros.
- fnord77 7y ago
  until your post I didn't know this card was made out of metal.
  - electricviolet 7y ago
    The third sentence of the article says "physical titanium Apple Card", so I guess you didn't read the article either. ;)
    - DanBC 7y ago
      We've had silver, gold, and platinum cards that were plastic.
    - fnord77 7y ago
      no, I did not :)
- PhasmaFelis 7y ago
  I honestly can't tell if you're joking.
taylorlapeyre 7y ago
For what it’s worth, I’ve been using the Apple Card pretty much exclusively for about a month and a half (in a leather wallet, and I only wear jeans), and it’s been nothing but enjoyable.
- saagarjha 7y ago
  Same. No discoloration or anything of that sort here.
  - ceejayoz 7y ago
    My Simple card got quite a bit of discoloration from my leather wallet. I'd expect the same to eventually happen with the Apple Card. That said, my wallet's been accidentally through the wash enough times to lose a lot of the dye in the leather. Maybe it'll be fine!
deleted 7y ago
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deleted 7y ago
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chrisseldo 7y ago
Has anyone else just ignored the recommendations from Apple in how to store the card? I keep it in my wallet like any other card and haven't noticed any scrapes/marks on the card or issues swiping.
- sosborn 7y ago
  Vast majority of the outrage is from people who would never consider getting an Apple credit card to begin with. They just look for any reason to turn their nose up at Apple. In this case, it a CYA support document.
kcbanner 7y ago
I hope the part about "pesky retailers" not accepting contactless payment methods was sarcasm.
- geerlingguy 7y ago
  Why would it be? It's ridiculous that more than half the places I go still don't accept contactless payments. Almost all of them have readers that accept it, and half of this group has a little sticky note in the chip reader that says "SORRY NO CHIP." Seriously?
- amiantos 7y ago
  At H&M this past weekend in Southern California they wouldn't allow contactless (Apple Pay) for payments over $100. It's arbitrary, annoying, and customer-hostile.
  - Marsymars 7y ago
    In places where chip & PIN is ubiquitous, the idea is that if your credit card is stolen, your card can't be maxed out without your PIN for verification. AFAIK the limits don't distinguish between contactless credit cards and Apple/Google Pay - maybe they should, since the latter typically does require some kind of authentication.
- asciident 7y ago
  Not sure what's sarcastic about it. I only shop at places where I can pay by phone. More secure, faster, and I get an instant receipt from Google Pay no matter what. I carry no credit cards on me, and it's one less thing to worry about if I lost my wallet. And a lot of the time, I go out without carrying even a wallet.
  - Marsymars 7y ago
    You get a record of transaction, but it's not a receipt - e.g. I can't imagine any store will let you return an item if you show them a Google Pay transaction rather than an actual store receipt, be it paper or electronic.
Romanulus 7y ago
Let's see Paul Allen's card.
- sxates 7y ago
  Oh my god - it even has a watermark
TazeTSchnitzel 7y ago
Well, Apple expects you to use Apple Pay for the vast majority of your transactions. The physical card is a last resort, it's allowed to be more form than function as eventually, you'll only want it for the former.
MBCook 7y ago
I continue to be surprised that no one seems to be discussing the fact the card is rotated 180° from normal. The EMV chip is in the right and the mag stripe is on the bottom. An odd decision. I’d love to know the reason behind it.
- ranie93 7y ago
  Maybe so that the Apple logo remains visible during the transaction
  - Scrantonicity 7y ago
    but they could have just as easily put the logo and the user's name on the right and the chip on the left
    - xvector 7y ago
      Most people read left-to-right and expect text to start in the top left. It would look absurd if the name was on the right.
- mrchucklepants 7y ago
  My Capital One Visa card is exactly the same so its not just Apple.
  - MBCook 7y ago
    Really? I’ve never seen another card like that. Interesting.
    - ars 7y ago
      I just checked mine half one way half the other so it seems random I guess.
- goatinaboat 7y ago
  I literally don’t understand why they didn’t make the chip the apple logo. It seems so obvious.
egdod 7y ago
Did they really not chamfer the card? A metal 90 degree angle like that can cut skin like a knife. Any machinist would know that you have to break those edges.
- Bud 7y ago
  Did you spend 2 seconds checking out facts before posting this? Clearly not. Go hold an Apple Card. You'll discover that the edges are not sharp. Indeed, even if they were initially sharp, which they're not, they wouldn't remain sharp for long. Titanium is rather soft and does not hold an edge, which is why there are no titanium knives.
  - egdod 7y ago
    It was a question, not an assertion. I don’t have an Apple card, and I haven’t seen one in person. Keep your pants on.
    - geerlingguy 7y ago
      To answer your original question; it is definitely de-burred and has not bits sticking out that would give you titanium splinters, but I wouldn’t call the edge blunt either. It doesn’t feel as comfortable pulling the card out of the sleeve by the sides as my plastic cards. YMMV because you may have skin that’s more or less sensitive than mine.
  - goatinaboat 7y ago
    does not hold an edge, which is why there are no titanium knives. The titanium knifes my team and I all dive with say otherwise.
    - egdod 7y ago
      How well do they hold an edge? What do you use them for?
lallysingh 7y ago
"The Apple Card has been raked through the coals over this support document because it is not recommended for use near leather (the most common material used in wallets) or denim (one of the most common outerwear materials). Nor is it recommended to be touching any other credit cards. Nor is it recommended to be in a pocket or bag containing loose change, keys, or any other kind of potentially-abrasive items." It's the Happy Fun Ball of cards. I'm honestly impressed.
chipotle_coyote 7y ago
I used to be a customer of Simple, which sends out white credit cards -- plastic, yes, but still white. And in a leather wallet, every one looked like crap in weeks. In my current Tom Bihn, non-leather wallet, they... didn't get any worse. But the reality is that white cards get crappy easily. (In fact, the reality is probably that all cards get crappy easily, but most cards don't show it as easily.) The form of the physical Apple Card is: the form of a credit card. I would argue that it absolutely shouldn't have been a white credit card, given my experience with Simple, but, welp. I'm not sure I'm going to be carrying the damn thing anyway, less out of concern over its pristine Ive White Room-ness than because it only gets me more cash back than my Discover Card does when I pay with it electronically. If Apple didn't publish this silly-seeming "how to take care of your Apple Card" document, then in a month, pundits would be screaming about how the Apple Card already showed signs of wear and tear, photos of cards showing unremovable leather stains or blue streaks from denim or whatever, and we'd be subject to endless bloviating about how terrible this was or was not. For better or worse, they've opted to front-load the bloviation.
- morpheuskafka 7y ago
  Maybe Apple Card 2.0 will have a "dark mode" version...
  - btgeekboy 7y ago
    A space grey version would be pretty slick.
    - kamyarg 7y ago
      check revolut, their metal plan has Grey metal card option. Two major differences though: - monthly fee - it is a debit card AFAIK
      - blackflame7000 7y ago
        Pay money for someone to hold my money in exchange for a cool looking card to access my money. Hard pass.
BooneJS 7y ago
I too struggle to get the card out of my thin folder. I had to remove a few seldom-used cards because I couldn’t get the card out.
java_script 7y ago
Stuff like this is why I’m holding out for the Apple Card Pro.
geophile 7y ago
Isn't that true of nearly all Apple hardware products now?
- sathomasga 7y ago
  Yep. The Apple MacBook keyboard is a case of form over function. The Apple TV remote is a case of form over function. Every mouse Apple has released is a case of form over function. ...
  - anchpop 7y ago
    I actually like the apple tv remote, why is it form over function?
    - geophile 7y ago
      Too small, so it keeps falling between sofa cushions. Ambiguous orientation (in the dark). Too easy to press buttons unintentionally.
  - geophile 7y ago
    Amen to all of that. The only mice that make my arm hurt are from Apple. Also: Trading real Esc and Fn keys for the stupid touchbar; lack of upgradability; trading thinness for reliability; trading thinness for battery life
riffraff 7y ago
So... An apple product?
robertoandred 7y ago
What functionality has been impacted?
raverbashing 7y ago
> With any modern iPhone, the Apple Card acts as a perfect RF block for Qi wireless charging (which operates in the 80+ kHz range). > This means, if you are like me, and store your credit card in an iPhone case, say goodbye to the ability to charge wirelessly. Yeah you really shouldn't be doing this with plastic cards as well... Really really shouldn't
- shadowoflight 7y ago
  I completely stopped taking the article seriously in any way at this point. Qi + credit cards sounds like a great way to have a wallet full of useless pieces of demagnetized plastic.
posterboy 7y ago
Note that "form over function" couldn't be a worse translation of what must have originally been "Form über Funktion". 1. Form is supposed to deliver function. Useless forms are eschewed by the Bauhaus architects of thought. 2. über in some cases is connotated as through, by, per, via, with, eg. "financed through a loan" (über einen Kredit). 3. If one might authoritatively opine that "over" implies a hierarchic priority, this would pervert the idea to a degree. In sum, I'm not sure what people think of the proverb or what was originally meant. Ironically, the form and function of the phrase are in Bauhaus style.
yellow_postit 7y ago
The blocking wireless charging when using a card case has been a pain with all the new metal cards. I wish Chase and others would offer an option for "plain" plastic.
- dave5104 7y ago
  Dumb question, as I've never used wireless charging before: why can't you just flip the phone over so it's sitting screen down when you have the metal card in a pouch on the back? Will it not charge in that position?
  - yellow_postit 7y ago
    Won’t charge in that orientation, it’s very finicky about placement. See Apple abandoning their charging mat whose main selling point was greater flexibility in placement by having many overlapping coils.
  - Marsymars 7y ago
    It won't, the charging coils are on the back of the phone, and there's both too much metal and too much distance between the coils and the front of the phone. In some phones with removable backs, the Qi charging coils were actually on the removable back part. (e.g. Lumia 950)
muddi900 7y ago
I have an Amex Platinum and it does have some of the same issues as the Apple Card. It's the metal.
outworlder 7y ago
> That's pretty ridiculous, because that rules out probably 90% of the valid use cases for a credit card... and other plastic credit cards don't have this issue. But other cards DO have this issue. They look like crap after a while.
- nilkn 7y ago
  For anyone looking for a metal card with fewer physical disadvantages than the Apple Card, you might consider an Amex Platinum. The card is very pretty, and mine has stayed in good condition after extended (and ordinary) usage. Of course, the Platinum card comes with a very high annual fee. It’s awesome if you travel a lot. If you don’t, you’ll struggle to make up for the fee. Beyond that, Amex customer support for me at least has been stellar, and their apps are quite good as well.
  - jasongill 7y ago
    FYI you can call Amex and ask them to waive or refund the fee. As long as you are a regular user of the card, they will do it in a heartbeat.
    - astura 7y ago
      My husband had no such luck - he cancelled.
    - js2 7y ago
      No way they are waiving $550. But I’ll try with the Platinum Schwab I just got in order to cash out 200K points. They’ve never waived my gold card when I’ve tried and I’ve had that card over a decade. I’m done with AmEx after this because I just don’t use the points anymore. I find the Chase Sapphire to be my most attractive card. I’m canceling that one too though. 2% cash back is where’re it’s at for me from now on. I got the Apple Card solely for Apple purchases and gas pumps and sketchy web sites. I don’t use gas pumps or sketchy web sites all that often but I’m convinced I’ve been skimmed twice on pumps and it will be nice to have a new number at the tap of a button in the Wallet app. I actually don’t find the Apple Card very attractive, and don’t like how heavy it is. BTW, you don’t get a physical card by default. I think Apple clearly wants to steer folks to Apple Pay so I have no idea why they put all this effort into the physical card.
xenihn 7y ago
I love my Apple card. The noise it makes when dropped onto a desk or table hasn't gotten old yet. It's actually kind of ridiculous how loud it is. I don't plan on using it for anything but app store purchases, and maybe a new MBP next year.
amaccuish 7y ago
I find it especially ironic given that Steve Jobs was so fond of jeans.
myrandomcomment 7y ago
So I have one. It is quite nice to hold and is well made, however because I cannot really carry it in my wallet or pocket, it stays in the desk drawer. I also have the Amex Platinum which is also metal. No issues on carrying that one. Here is a look at for those that care: https://thepointsguy.com/2017/04/unboxing-platinum-metal-card/ https://thepointsguy.com/2017/04/unboxing-platinum-metal-car... No relation to the site, just first good hit with details on the card itself, however I still have not found out what kinda of metal it is.
- beefalo 7y ago
  I have a chase sapphire card which is also metal. I have had to have it replaced twice. Once because the chip reader part flaked off and another because the magnetic strip stopped working
amiantos 7y ago
You're not supposed to _use_ the physical Apple Card. It's not just that the card is unusual or somehow hard to use, the whole service is designed to reinforce the fact that the card is a "worst case scenario" for paying: You get only 1% cash back when you use the physical card, but you get 2% cash back when you use the virtual card in Apple Pay. You're (not-so-)literally losing money when you use it! The card is supposed to be a conversation piece, not your primary form of payment. Because metal cards have previously been the privilege of the upper classes, Apple's continuing its trend of trying to sell "affordable luxury" by offering this card to basically everyone. It's a promotional tool to get people to sign up for the card, and then start to use Apple Pay more. It's 100% form, and it was _meant_ to be form, this article is kind of missing the point.
fitzroy 7y ago
>because the physical card does not fit my use case, I've elected to keep it in a file cabinet. This is exactly the intended "use case" of the card. The physical card is what sells the Apple Card account. Look at all of the people that signed up (on HN, no less — where everyone knows that XYZ card gives better rewards). Yes, yes 3% back at the Apple Store — it's only logical. Was everyone really itching to make a purchase the Apple Store last week? How many people would sign up if it was a only virtual card? So the slick card gets people to apply on day one, then for a while, customers carry it and show it to their friends. "Ooooh, Ahhh. Where's the number?" Then (like a lot of metal cards) they decide it would be a lot easier to just use Apple Pay and stash the card somewhere else. Incidentally, mine is crammed in a leather wallet and looks the same as it did on day one. But I would argue that the function of the physical card is just as much to be somewhat UNdesirable for daily use as it is to be desirable to obtain. As for the declined charges and customer service, I imagine it's just growing pains (iMessage to opt out of arbitration only took a minute). It does seem like Apple should have a big button in the UI for traveling overseas. Hopefully, they'll evolve to be like Amex and just figure it out — especially since your phone is presumably coming along on the trip.
- dave5104 7y ago
  > This is exactly the intended "use case" of the card. I'd say the intended use case of the Apple Card is have people using Apple Pay, not swiping/inserting the physical card. I'd bet putting it away in a filing cabinet is exactly what Apple was hoping most would do.
proc0 7y ago
I wouldn't be surprised if 'form over function' is one of the company's mission statements.
amaccuish 7y ago
I wonder if when released in the UK/Europe it will have a magstripe. I don't think I've ever had to swipe my card/sign except outside of Europe. As an aside I love how I can disable the magstripe on my TransferWise card.
astura 7y ago
Of course, the credit card market in the US is so competitive that they are competing hard on even the look of the cards - anything to stand out and get attention. This has been going on for a while, less function for more glitz. Metal cards have been becoming more and more prevalent despite being functionality worse than plastic cards in almost every way[1]. The Apple card is just taking it to the inevitable extreme. [1] https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/4zwpvt/psa_your_fancy_metal_credit_card_wont_get_you_out/ https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/4zwpvt/psa_your_f...
LaMarseillaise 7y ago
I received the physical Apple Card a few weeks ago, and used it for the first time today (I have used Apple Pay dozens of times). Something I noticed immediately when I started carrying it is that it seems to block the signal from my office door key, and I must separate them to open the door. Two scuff marks have appeared on the magnetic strip, but otherwise there are no cosmetic issues like others have mentioned. Overall, I like it.
Udik 7y ago
> The card feels great in your hand. It has a beautiful white finish. The letter and logo detail is impeccable. The way the magstripe seamlessly integrates into the titanium structure of the card is beautiful, and probably required some extremely precise machining. Do you realize that this is pure American Psycho material? In fact the whole paragraph seems almost lifted from this scene: https://youtu.be/aZVkW9p-cCU https://youtu.be/aZVkW9p-cCU
diveanon 7y ago
I applaud apple for taking full advantage of their user base. Millions of people addicted to the vanity of their products that leap at the next opportunity to differentiate themselves from the unwashed masses. The truly hilarious part is that this newest "product" is just a mechanism to further indebt yourself to the largest corporation on the planet. Bravo Apple, glad I own your stock.
- labrador 7y ago
  AirPods as well: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/neaz3d/airpods-are-a-tragedy https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/neaz3d/airpods-are-a-trag...
- floatingatoll 7y ago
  See also upthread where twenty comments are dedicated to discussing cards that aren’t white and which issuers will give them and how cool they look and how proud one person is of their gold signature on black card especially.
Ice_cream_suit 7y ago
It could potentially be used as a cutting tool or a knife by terrorists. Perhaps it should be banned on flights for the paranoid.
nkkollaw 7y ago
Pretty much like most of the products they've been coming out with lately. With Hive gone things will go back to normal. Obviously he lost it.
Traster 7y ago
A metal credit card is a status symbol, for people who can't afford an actual status symbol like a Coutts card. Complaining about it's lack of practicality is like complaining that your Ferrari doesn't handle well in your local multi-story car park. Of course it doesn't, because you've bought the Ferrari to drive through town and have people stare. The function is the form. Let's lay aside the physical design, the Apple card has inferior benefits to most comparable cards and the notification features that Apple seems to think it's pioneering have been available from plenty of other banks for years. I already have my cards in my Apple wallet, I already have an App that tells me exactly what I've spent and when, I even have an App that aggregates all my spending and tells me my budget. As for privacy, it's still a Goldman Sachs mastercard, your spending history is going straight through them and pretending that your spending is private is simply a lie. In fact it's pretty astonishing that Apple is using the Facebook lie of "We don't sell your data" - no you don't sell our data, you sell access to the profiles you create about our habits. Anyway, this turned into a bit of a rant, but seriously, status symbols don't compete on practicality, they compete on status.

192 points by geerlingguy 7y ago

sprafa 7y ago

Why not launch a plastic card and have this as an option

FDSGSG 7y ago
Is there any demand for plastic cards beyond this one guy whose phone case doesn't work with them?

conqrr 7y ago

Meh it's perfectly designed. They want you to stop using a wallet. The ultimate goal of the physical card is to kill the wallet, other cards and eventually itself to be replaced by just the phone.

ksaj 7y ago

Two decades ago I used to bling out with Versace and other labels on items that were guaranteed to only last one season. I gave that up back then. I'm not about to start doing it with "gift cards" now. Trendy is such a wasteful way to live. If you need to throw money away for status, I can think of far more beneficial ways to do it than a poorly designed payment card that scratches and stains too easily.

wilg 7y ago
Of course, it doesn't cost any money.
comex 7y ago
Like most credit cards, the Apple Card is free. Of course, the merchant pays a fee when you use it, and you get some of that back in the form of rewards, so you have to compare how the Apple Card’s reward scheme stacks up against other cards. I’m not an expert, but from what I’ve heard it’s at least decent. So there’s really no money being thrown away here.
- matwood 7y ago
  The rewards are ok for a free card as long as you use Apple Pay. Don't use the physical card if you care about rewards (I didn't even order the card). The clear, daily cash back feature is nice.
- kamyarg 7y ago
  > the merchant pays a fee when you use it You do know that they increase the default price to compensate for the commission they pay to the banks right? Ultimately the result is: - the bank mostly is unaffected because it gets the point it gives you from the merchant - Merchant increase the price that to compensate for the commission - you are not affected because whatever you get as points you pay back with the increase in price - whoever pays cash is paying 3% more which goes mostly to the merchant
FDSGSG 7y ago
"Poorly designed" may be subjective, but do you happen have any evidence to support your claim that Apple Card "scratches and stains too easily"?
- ksaj 7y ago
  Here's an article pointing out Apple's warning not to put these cards into leather wallets. I'm guessing they want you to carry it in a silk sachel lovingly hung around your neck by a fine golden braid. It literally went to market with everyone knowing you can't put it where you normally put such cards. https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2019/8/21/20827303/apple-card-titanium-goldman-sachs-iphone-users-cleaning-warning-discoloration https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2019/8/21/20827303/apple-card-...
  - FDSGSG 7y ago
    > It literally went to market with everyone knowing you can't put it where you normally put such cards But you totally can. Apple just points out that the Apple card, like literally any other card can get scratched or discolored.
    - tidepod12 7y ago
      > literally any other card can get scratched or discolored. Uhh, what? I'm looking at my wallet of cards right now, all of which I have had for multiple years. I have 2 metal cards, 4 plastic cards. Only one of them, the one that I have had for 3 years, is discolored in any way, and even then the discoloration is minor (its more of a dulling of the shininess, not really discoloration).
      - FDSGSG 7y ago
        I'm not saying they will, just saying they can. There's no magic coating on those cards making them particularly resistant to discoloration. Odds are the Apple card would be exactly like your other cards.

the_watcher 7y ago

So, a v1 Apple product? All jokes aside, to me, Apple tends to release beautiful products from the beginning that often lack the killer functionality that drives mass adoption, but has a reasonably good track record of catching up on that in subsequent releases.

TheOtherHobbes 7y ago
Apple Card 2.0 Pro - available in denim, leather, or diamond-coated black ceramic with turtleneck print.

psychometry 7y ago

>The Apple Card has been raked through the coals over this support document because it is not recommended for use near leather (the most common material used in wallets) or denim (one of the most common outerwear materials). Nor is it recommended to be touching any other credit cards. Nor is it recommended to be in a pocket or bag containing loose change, keys, or any other kind of potentially-abrasive items. This is some Happy Fun Ball-level absurdity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmqeZl8OI2M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmqeZl8OI2M).

supernintendo 7y ago
Right? How the hell are you expected to carry this thing?
- nomel 7y ago
  All of my other credit cards are scratched up and look awful. If these other cards had instructions to keep them pristine, they would have similarly laughable requirements.
- mamon 7y ago
  On a silk cushion, carried around by your servant?
- threeseed 7y ago
  Shockingly quite simple. If you are obsessive over the look of your items then you can use the support guide to keep it looking pristine. Otherwise just use it like a normal credit card and understand that a white card is going to discolour over time.
  - kadoban 7y ago
    Okay, but what is the support-guide-approved way to even carry the thing? The listed no-nos seem to exclude literally every place on my person that I carry any items.
    - 7y ago

phinnaeus 7y ago

One thing I haven't seen discussed much is the change from the original marketing materials which described the user's name as being engraved on the card, rather than printed. Ultimately I think complaints about the physical card are sort of silly. To be honest, I'm a little surprised Apple included one at all, since the point is to drive businesses in the US to supporting contact-less payments. Of course once they decided to include a physical card, it wasn't going to be a basic plastic card.

iguy 7y ago
> point is to drive businesses in the US to supporting contact-less payments. So the card does not support contactless payment by itself? Only magnetic strip and chip? I hadn't realised this, but I guess might be difficult to do in metal. Is it too much to wonder whether making it out of metal is to distract from this missing feature, because they'd prefer you to pay with the phone?
- dwaite 7y ago
  They probably wanted to remove every single thing from the card that was superfluous - leaving the name, chip, magstripe, Apple's logo along with the bank and network logo (GS and MC). Particularly, no numbers, signature, bank contact info, or NFC. And yes, they get away with this by pushing wireless payment, number/CVV, and contact onto the phone.
- wmf 7y ago
  It's not exactly a missing feature; I have a bunch of (mostly high-end) credit cards and none of them support contactless.
threeseed 7y ago
Even in Australia where contactless is ubiquitous I still need to use my card in about 5% of transactions. Often it's the design of the machine that makes it hard to complete with your phone. And then if you keep failing to complete it will ask you to insert/swipe a physical card.
dpkonofa 7y ago

nickthegreek 7y ago

I'm gonna be honest. I got the card for Form as I don't really use credit cards but always like to have one in case of an emergency. I was not disappointed. It is a beautiful card and has turned heads of every cashier have I handed it to. Getting the daily cash back notifications was genius on their part. I wouldn't be surprised if I use the card more than I thought I would solely because of the form. I also purchased a cheap plastic sleeve to keep it in to keep it looking good.

geerlingguy 7y ago
Do you keep the card separate from your wallet (e.g. in a pocket or something)? I agree the card looks amazing, it's in stark contrast to the vibrant colors on my other cards. It just doesn't work well with my small leather card case or my iPhone card case (the latter mostly because I can't charge wirelessly).
- nickthegreek 7y ago
  I use a compact wallet and just keep the card (in a plastic sleeve from amazon to keep it looking fresh) in one of the accessible side slots. https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Mason-Black-Leather-Card/dp/B073XXMP3Y https://www.amazon.com/Jack-Mason-Black-Leather-Card/dp/B073... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X968MFG https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X968MFG
hn_throwaway_99 7y ago
I agree. Look at that stark white coloring. The tasteful thickness of it. Oh my God, it even has an Apple logo.
- gimmeThaBeet 7y ago
  A card so gorgeous, most people probably don't think about the practicality. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity and the importance of trends. It's also a personal statement about the brand itself.
7y ago

mathieuh 7y ago

This whole thing reminds me of American Psycho, people comparing how their credit cards look, kind of strange to me but I realise I must be in the minority if Apple think it’s a good idea.

threeseed 7y ago
No different to people spending money on expensive watches, bags, clothes. You still see less popular celebrities flashing about their American Express Centurion cards.
- ryanlol 7y ago
  Not many celebrities getting Centurion cards issued in the US anymore.
nickthegreek 7y ago
I'll agree with this. I was 18 when that movie came out and I immediately got business cards made with nothing but my name on the front. I also immediately signed up for the card and when I got it, I had the same feeling as when those cards arrived back in 2000.
- wilg 7y ago
  What feeling is that?
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]
  - dhosek 7y ago
    The feeling of wanting to tie someone up and lecture them on Huey Lewis and the News before murdering them, I suppose.
    - reificator 7y ago

ryanlol 7y ago

>and other plastic credit cards don't have this issue Yes they do. E: Are plastic credit cards really not susceptible to wear or discoloration? Doesn’t match my experience.

threeseed 7y ago

Not the most insightful article around. It seemed to be mostly about his inability to use the card in his particular sleeve.

dqpb 7y ago

> I also believe the physical titanium Apple Card is a marvel of engineering Three SpaceX rockets landing vertically in unison is a marvel of engineering. This is a metal credit card.

geerlingguy 7y ago
Have you held and inspected one? The thing is pretty ridiculous in its tolerances. It's not on the same scale as a modern rocket, but I'm willing to bet the microscopic tolerances and knowledge of metallurgy / material science (titanium alloys) is on a similar plane.
- moftz 7y ago
  If its like every other metal credit card, it's a stamped piece of metal that comes from sheet stock. Then they glue the metal front onto a plastic backing that has the magstripe.
  - Bud 7y ago
    It's not like the others. Which you'd know if you had checked one out before posting.
deleted 7y ago
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kevin_thibedeau 7y ago
It is a minor marvel that titanium can now be wasted on disposable ephemera.
D-Coder 7y ago
I can afford a metal credit card...

cageface 7y ago

On another note my experience with customer service on the Apple card is absolutely abysmal. My card was locked on Monday probably because I'm traveling in Europe and that flagged some fraud detection algorithm. With any of my other cards I could resolve this in minutes with a quick SMS or at worst a phone call. Instead I'm still waiting for a call back from a representative that was promised to come no later than Wednesday. I guess I'll add this to the growing list of recent Apple products that look nice but are overdesigned and under engineered and functionally inferior to the competition.

geerlingguy 7y ago
They have chat via Messages on the phone, and it worked great for me the one question I had. Go to Wallet app > Apple Card > ..., then tap "Message" I guess if you've had an issue that requires a voice call, though, that wouldn't matter. But I was able to resolve my issue in about 2 minutes via iMessages, which was a zillion times better than when I've had to deal with PNC.
- cageface 7y ago
  Yeah I started there. I was given a phone number to call, which I called. I was then told somebody would call me to resolve the issue within two days. Five days later I haven't heard a peep. Thankfully I'm not relying on the card for anything important. This just confirms my feeling lately that I can't afford to be locked into their ecosystem.
  - geerlingguy 7y ago
    Sheesh. I've taken the same approach though, I still use my normal CCs for almost every transaction, just wanted to see what Apple Card was all about. The fact that it doesn't have a web interface or any way I can tie it into my financial reporting services/apps is a major turn-off.
    - js2 7y ago
      I'm hoping that's temporary but for now I'm just using the card for Apple purchases and gas stations.

wilg 7y ago

TL;DR It's metal, like many cards, which bothers the author.

etchalon 7y ago
I read the article, interested in real examination of the usability issues with the credit card. What I found was someone who doesn't like metal cards, and didn't realize they would be a problem before signing up for one.

fortran77 7y ago

You can sharpen the edge of the Apple Card into a pretty good knife. I think they should ban Apple Cards from airplanes in addition to (some) Macbook Pros.

fnord77 7y ago
until your post I didn't know this card was made out of metal.
- electricviolet 7y ago
  The third sentence of the article says "physical titanium Apple Card", so I guess you didn't read the article either. ;)
  - DanBC 7y ago
    We've had silver, gold, and platinum cards that were plastic.
  - fnord77 7y ago
    no, I did not :)
PhasmaFelis 7y ago
I honestly can't tell if you're joking.

taylorlapeyre 7y ago

For what it’s worth, I’ve been using the Apple Card pretty much exclusively for about a month and a half (in a leather wallet, and I only wear jeans), and it’s been nothing but enjoyable.

saagarjha 7y ago
Same. No discoloration or anything of that sort here.
- ceejayoz 7y ago
  My Simple card got quite a bit of discoloration from my leather wallet. I'd expect the same to eventually happen with the Apple Card. That said, my wallet's been accidentally through the wash enough times to lose a lot of the dye in the leather. Maybe it'll be fine!

deleted 7y ago

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deleted 7y ago

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chrisseldo 7y ago

Has anyone else just ignored the recommendations from Apple in how to store the card? I keep it in my wallet like any other card and haven't noticed any scrapes/marks on the card or issues swiping.

sosborn 7y ago
Vast majority of the outrage is from people who would never consider getting an Apple credit card to begin with. They just look for any reason to turn their nose up at Apple. In this case, it a CYA support document.

kcbanner 7y ago

I hope the part about "pesky retailers" not accepting contactless payment methods was sarcasm.

geerlingguy 7y ago
Why would it be? It's ridiculous that more than half the places I go still don't accept contactless payments. Almost all of them have readers that accept it, and half of this group has a little sticky note in the chip reader that says "SORRY NO CHIP." Seriously?
amiantos 7y ago
At H&M this past weekend in Southern California they wouldn't allow contactless (Apple Pay) for payments over $100. It's arbitrary, annoying, and customer-hostile.
- Marsymars 7y ago
  In places where chip & PIN is ubiquitous, the idea is that if your credit card is stolen, your card can't be maxed out without your PIN for verification. AFAIK the limits don't distinguish between contactless credit cards and Apple/Google Pay - maybe they should, since the latter typically does require some kind of authentication.
asciident 7y ago
Not sure what's sarcastic about it. I only shop at places where I can pay by phone. More secure, faster, and I get an instant receipt from Google Pay no matter what. I carry no credit cards on me, and it's one less thing to worry about if I lost my wallet. And a lot of the time, I go out without carrying even a wallet.
- Marsymars 7y ago
  You get a record of transaction, but it's not a receipt - e.g. I can't imagine any store will let you return an item if you show them a Google Pay transaction rather than an actual store receipt, be it paper or electronic.

Romanulus 7y ago

Let's see Paul Allen's card.

sxates 7y ago
Oh my god - it even has a watermark

TazeTSchnitzel 7y ago

Well, Apple expects you to use Apple Pay for the vast majority of your transactions. The physical card is a last resort, it's allowed to be more form than function as eventually, you'll only want it for the former.

MBCook 7y ago

I continue to be surprised that no one seems to be discussing the fact the card is rotated 180° from normal. The EMV chip is in the right and the mag stripe is on the bottom. An odd decision. I’d love to know the reason behind it.

ranie93 7y ago
Maybe so that the Apple logo remains visible during the transaction
- Scrantonicity 7y ago
  but they could have just as easily put the logo and the user's name on the right and the chip on the left
  - xvector 7y ago
    Most people read left-to-right and expect text to start in the top left. It would look absurd if the name was on the right.
mrchucklepants 7y ago
My Capital One Visa card is exactly the same so its not just Apple.
- MBCook 7y ago
  Really? I’ve never seen another card like that. Interesting.
  - ars 7y ago
    I just checked mine half one way half the other so it seems random I guess.
goatinaboat 7y ago
I literally don’t understand why they didn’t make the chip the apple logo. It seems so obvious.

egdod 7y ago

Did they really not chamfer the card? A metal 90 degree angle like that can cut skin like a knife. Any machinist would know that you have to break those edges.

Bud 7y ago
Did you spend 2 seconds checking out facts before posting this? Clearly not. Go hold an Apple Card. You'll discover that the edges are not sharp. Indeed, even if they were initially sharp, which they're not, they wouldn't remain sharp for long. Titanium is rather soft and does not hold an edge, which is why there are no titanium knives.
- egdod 7y ago
  It was a question, not an assertion. I don’t have an Apple card, and I haven’t seen one in person. Keep your pants on.
  - geerlingguy 7y ago
    To answer your original question; it is definitely de-burred and has not bits sticking out that would give you titanium splinters, but I wouldn’t call the edge blunt either. It doesn’t feel as comfortable pulling the card out of the sleeve by the sides as my plastic cards. YMMV because you may have skin that’s more or less sensitive than mine.
- goatinaboat 7y ago
  does not hold an edge, which is why there are no titanium knives. The titanium knifes my team and I all dive with say otherwise.
  - egdod 7y ago
    How well do they hold an edge? What do you use them for?

lallysingh 7y ago

"The Apple Card has been raked through the coals over this support document because it is not recommended for use near leather (the most common material used in wallets) or denim (one of the most common outerwear materials). Nor is it recommended to be touching any other credit cards. Nor is it recommended to be in a pocket or bag containing loose change, keys, or any other kind of potentially-abrasive items." It's the Happy Fun Ball of cards. I'm honestly impressed.

chipotle_coyote 7y ago

I used to be a customer of Simple, which sends out white credit cards -- plastic, yes, but still white. And in a leather wallet, every one looked like crap in weeks. In my current Tom Bihn, non-leather wallet, they... didn't get any worse. But the reality is that white cards get crappy easily. (In fact, the reality is probably that all cards get crappy easily, but most cards don't show it as easily.) The form of the physical Apple Card is: the form of a credit card. I would argue that it absolutely shouldn't have been a white credit card, given my experience with Simple, but, welp. I'm not sure I'm going to be carrying the damn thing anyway, less out of concern over its pristine Ive White Room-ness than because it only gets me more cash back than my Discover Card does when I pay with it electronically. If Apple didn't publish this silly-seeming "how to take care of your Apple Card" document, then in a month, pundits would be screaming about how the Apple Card already showed signs of wear and tear, photos of cards showing unremovable leather stains or blue streaks from denim or whatever, and we'd be subject to endless bloviating about how terrible this was or was not. For better or worse, they've opted to front-load the bloviation.

morpheuskafka 7y ago
Maybe Apple Card 2.0 will have a "dark mode" version...
- btgeekboy 7y ago
  A space grey version would be pretty slick.
  - kamyarg 7y ago
    check revolut, their metal plan has Grey metal card option. Two major differences though: - monthly fee - it is a debit card AFAIK
    - blackflame7000 7y ago
      Pay money for someone to hold my money in exchange for a cool looking card to access my money. Hard pass.

BooneJS 7y ago

I too struggle to get the card out of my thin folder. I had to remove a few seldom-used cards because I couldn’t get the card out.

java_script 7y ago

Stuff like this is why I’m holding out for the Apple Card Pro.

geophile 7y ago

Isn't that true of nearly all Apple hardware products now?

sathomasga 7y ago
Yep. The Apple MacBook keyboard is a case of form over function. The Apple TV remote is a case of form over function. Every mouse Apple has released is a case of form over function. ...
- anchpop 7y ago
  I actually like the apple tv remote, why is it form over function?
  - geophile 7y ago
    Too small, so it keeps falling between sofa cushions. Ambiguous orientation (in the dark). Too easy to press buttons unintentionally.
- geophile 7y ago
  Amen to all of that. The only mice that make my arm hurt are from Apple. Also: Trading real Esc and Fn keys for the stupid touchbar; lack of upgradability; trading thinness for reliability; trading thinness for battery life

riffraff 7y ago

So... An apple product?

robertoandred 7y ago

What functionality has been impacted?

raverbashing 7y ago

> With any modern iPhone, the Apple Card acts as a perfect RF block for Qi wireless charging (which operates in the 80+ kHz range). > This means, if you are like me, and store your credit card in an iPhone case, say goodbye to the ability to charge wirelessly. Yeah you really shouldn't be doing this with plastic cards as well... Really really shouldn't

shadowoflight 7y ago
I completely stopped taking the article seriously in any way at this point. Qi + credit cards sounds like a great way to have a wallet full of useless pieces of demagnetized plastic.

posterboy 7y ago

Note that "form over function" couldn't be a worse translation of what must have originally been "Form über Funktion". 1. Form is supposed to deliver function. Useless forms are eschewed by the Bauhaus architects of thought. 2. über in some cases is connotated as through, by, per, via, with, eg. "financed through a loan" (über einen Kredit). 3. If one might authoritatively opine that "over" implies a hierarchic priority, this would pervert the idea to a degree. In sum, I'm not sure what people think of the proverb or what was originally meant. Ironically, the form and function of the phrase are in Bauhaus style.

yellow_postit 7y ago

The blocking wireless charging when using a card case has been a pain with all the new metal cards. I wish Chase and others would offer an option for "plain" plastic.

dave5104 7y ago
Dumb question, as I've never used wireless charging before: why can't you just flip the phone over so it's sitting screen down when you have the metal card in a pouch on the back? Will it not charge in that position?
- yellow_postit 7y ago
  Won’t charge in that orientation, it’s very finicky about placement. See Apple abandoning their charging mat whose main selling point was greater flexibility in placement by having many overlapping coils.
- Marsymars 7y ago
  It won't, the charging coils are on the back of the phone, and there's both too much metal and too much distance between the coils and the front of the phone. In some phones with removable backs, the Qi charging coils were actually on the removable back part. (e.g. Lumia 950)

muddi900 7y ago

I have an Amex Platinum and it does have some of the same issues as the Apple Card. It's the metal.

outworlder 7y ago

> That's pretty ridiculous, because that rules out probably 90% of the valid use cases for a credit card... and other plastic credit cards don't have this issue. But other cards DO have this issue. They look like crap after a while.

nilkn 7y ago
For anyone looking for a metal card with fewer physical disadvantages than the Apple Card, you might consider an Amex Platinum. The card is very pretty, and mine has stayed in good condition after extended (and ordinary) usage. Of course, the Platinum card comes with a very high annual fee. It’s awesome if you travel a lot. If you don’t, you’ll struggle to make up for the fee. Beyond that, Amex customer support for me at least has been stellar, and their apps are quite good as well.
- jasongill 7y ago
  FYI you can call Amex and ask them to waive or refund the fee. As long as you are a regular user of the card, they will do it in a heartbeat.
  - astura 7y ago
    My husband had no such luck - he cancelled.
  - js2 7y ago
    No way they are waiving $550. But I’ll try with the Platinum Schwab I just got in order to cash out 200K points. They’ve never waived my gold card when I’ve tried and I’ve had that card over a decade. I’m done with AmEx after this because I just don’t use the points anymore. I find the Chase Sapphire to be my most attractive card. I’m canceling that one too though. 2% cash back is where’re it’s at for me from now on. I got the Apple Card solely for Apple purchases and gas pumps and sketchy web sites. I don’t use gas pumps or sketchy web sites all that often but I’m convinced I’ve been skimmed twice on pumps and it will be nice to have a new number at the tap of a button in the Wallet app. I actually don’t find the Apple Card very attractive, and don’t like how heavy it is. BTW, you don’t get a physical card by default. I think Apple clearly wants to steer folks to Apple Pay so I have no idea why they put all this effort into the physical card.

xenihn 7y ago

I love my Apple card. The noise it makes when dropped onto a desk or table hasn't gotten old yet. It's actually kind of ridiculous how loud it is. I don't plan on using it for anything but app store purchases, and maybe a new MBP next year.

amaccuish 7y ago

I find it especially ironic given that Steve Jobs was so fond of jeans.

myrandomcomment 7y ago

So I have one. It is quite nice to hold and is well made, however because I cannot really carry it in my wallet or pocket, it stays in the desk drawer. I also have the Amex Platinum which is also metal. No issues on carrying that one. Here is a look at for those that care: https://thepointsguy.com/2017/04/unboxing-platinum-metal-card/ https://thepointsguy.com/2017/04/unboxing-platinum-metal-car... No relation to the site, just first good hit with details on the card itself, however I still have not found out what kinda of metal it is.

beefalo 7y ago
I have a chase sapphire card which is also metal. I have had to have it replaced twice. Once because the chip reader part flaked off and another because the magnetic strip stopped working

amiantos 7y ago

You're not supposed to _use_ the physical Apple Card. It's not just that the card is unusual or somehow hard to use, the whole service is designed to reinforce the fact that the card is a "worst case scenario" for paying: You get only 1% cash back when you use the physical card, but you get 2% cash back when you use the virtual card in Apple Pay. You're (not-so-)literally losing money when you use it! The card is supposed to be a conversation piece, not your primary form of payment. Because metal cards have previously been the privilege of the upper classes, Apple's continuing its trend of trying to sell "affordable luxury" by offering this card to basically everyone. It's a promotional tool to get people to sign up for the card, and then start to use Apple Pay more. It's 100% form, and it was _meant_ to be form, this article is kind of missing the point.

fitzroy 7y ago

>because the physical card does not fit my use case, I've elected to keep it in a file cabinet. This is exactly the intended "use case" of the card. The physical card is what sells the Apple Card account. Look at all of the people that signed up (on HN, no less — where everyone knows that XYZ card gives better rewards). Yes, yes 3% back at the Apple Store — it's only logical. Was everyone really itching to make a purchase the Apple Store last week? How many people would sign up if it was a only virtual card? So the slick card gets people to apply on day one, then for a while, customers carry it and show it to their friends. "Ooooh, Ahhh. Where's the number?" Then (like a lot of metal cards) they decide it would be a lot easier to just use Apple Pay and stash the card somewhere else. Incidentally, mine is crammed in a leather wallet and looks the same as it did on day one. But I would argue that the function of the physical card is just as much to be somewhat UNdesirable for daily use as it is to be desirable to obtain. As for the declined charges and customer service, I imagine it's just growing pains (iMessage to opt out of arbitration only took a minute). It does seem like Apple should have a big button in the UI for traveling overseas. Hopefully, they'll evolve to be like Amex and just figure it out — especially since your phone is presumably coming along on the trip.

dave5104 7y ago
> This is exactly the intended "use case" of the card. I'd say the intended use case of the Apple Card is have people using Apple Pay, not swiping/inserting the physical card. I'd bet putting it away in a filing cabinet is exactly what Apple was hoping most would do.

proc0 7y ago

I wouldn't be surprised if 'form over function' is one of the company's mission statements.

amaccuish 7y ago

I wonder if when released in the UK/Europe it will have a magstripe. I don't think I've ever had to swipe my card/sign except outside of Europe. As an aside I love how I can disable the magstripe on my TransferWise card.

astura 7y ago

Of course, the credit card market in the US is so competitive that they are competing hard on even the look of the cards - anything to stand out and get attention. This has been going on for a while, less function for more glitz. Metal cards have been becoming more and more prevalent despite being functionality worse than plastic cards in almost every way[1]. The Apple card is just taking it to the inevitable extreme. [1] https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/4zwpvt/psa_your_fancy_metal_credit_card_wont_get_you_out/ https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/4zwpvt/psa_your_f...

LaMarseillaise 7y ago

I received the physical Apple Card a few weeks ago, and used it for the first time today (I have used Apple Pay dozens of times). Something I noticed immediately when I started carrying it is that it seems to block the signal from my office door key, and I must separate them to open the door. Two scuff marks have appeared on the magnetic strip, but otherwise there are no cosmetic issues like others have mentioned. Overall, I like it.

Udik 7y ago

> The card feels great in your hand. It has a beautiful white finish. The letter and logo detail is impeccable. The way the magstripe seamlessly integrates into the titanium structure of the card is beautiful, and probably required some extremely precise machining. Do you realize that this is pure American Psycho material? In fact the whole paragraph seems almost lifted from this scene: https://youtu.be/aZVkW9p-cCU https://youtu.be/aZVkW9p-cCU

diveanon 7y ago

I applaud apple for taking full advantage of their user base. Millions of people addicted to the vanity of their products that leap at the next opportunity to differentiate themselves from the unwashed masses. The truly hilarious part is that this newest "product" is just a mechanism to further indebt yourself to the largest corporation on the planet. Bravo Apple, glad I own your stock.

labrador 7y ago
AirPods as well: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/neaz3d/airpods-are-a-tragedy https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/neaz3d/airpods-are-a-trag...
floatingatoll 7y ago
See also upthread where twenty comments are dedicated to discussing cards that aren’t white and which issuers will give them and how cool they look and how proud one person is of their gold signature on black card especially.

Ice_cream_suit 7y ago

It could potentially be used as a cutting tool or a knife by terrorists. Perhaps it should be banned on flights for the paranoid.

nkkollaw 7y ago

Pretty much like most of the products they've been coming out with lately. With Hive gone things will go back to normal. Obviously he lost it.

Traster 7y ago

A metal credit card is a status symbol, for people who can't afford an actual status symbol like a Coutts card. Complaining about it's lack of practicality is like complaining that your Ferrari doesn't handle well in your local multi-story car park. Of course it doesn't, because you've bought the Ferrari to drive through town and have people stare. The function is the form. Let's lay aside the physical design, the Apple card has inferior benefits to most comparable cards and the notification features that Apple seems to think it's pioneering have been available from plenty of other banks for years. I already have my cards in my Apple wallet, I already have an App that tells me exactly what I've spent and when, I even have an App that aggregates all my spending and tells me my budget. As for privacy, it's still a Goldman Sachs mastercard, your spending history is going straight through them and pretending that your spending is private is simply a lie. In fact it's pretty astonishing that Apple is using the Facebook lie of "We don't sell your data" - no you don't sell our data, you sell access to the profiles you create about our habits. Anyway, this turned into a bit of a rant, but seriously, status symbols don't compete on practicality, they compete on status.