Though not a first priority, build quality matters to a lot of people. For starters, the size, shape, button placement, color, and other decoratives are important for consumers to make a snap decision right away on whether they think they'll like the device or not. Of course, from the outside you'll hardly get any clues about what's on the inside.
For instance, button placement is important for those who want to hold the phone comfortably in hand. For some, having a power button on the right side of the device may not work out that well. Similarly, phones with speakers on the back can muffle the sound. The other added benefit to having the speaker grills on the front is for when you're watching movies or videos.
Another significant point here is the use of plastic. A powerful example is Samsung Galaxy S4. Then there's the aluminum-clad HTC One which screams quality. From the matte back right down to the glossy edges, the aluminum shell of the One is a triumph in design. Obviously, when you are paying over Rs 30,000, you have every right to demand the best quality for your phone. The outer shell of the device is what first catches the eye, and certainly, an aluminum shell scored more than plastic.
But in contrast, plastic is more durable and easy to mass produce. Any polycarbonate device is lighter than the same device made out of aluminum, or glass. Nokia preferred polycarbonate in the Lumia line because of the way it retains colors.
