I've made one of the most important decisions of my life. I ditched the skin.

[HarryKeogh]

I put BestSkinsEver on my iPhone a couple of weeks ago. Did a pretty darn good job too. Then my iPhone died and I had to take it back to the Apple store. Before I did I peeled away the film (sure enough, no residue) and forgot how beautiful this phone is. And to cover it up with this film is a damn shame.

It reminded me of my mom's couch. It was a nice couch. They she put those vinyl slipcovers on it and now she had a nice couch under this ugly clear vinyl.

So I've decided to live with a few inevitable scratches on the back (I do keep it in a leather case when it's in my pocket, after all, I'm not a madman) but I'd rather look at a naked iPhone with a few minor scratches on the back then look at an iPhone covered in plastic wrap that I find a lot more visually unappealing (plus have a screen that feels better and looks brighter).

[cohenspire]

I'd rather look at a naked iPhone with a few minor scratches on the back then look at an iPhone covered in plastic wrap that I find a lot more visually unappealing (plus have a screen that feels better and looks brighter).


If only everyone had the same view! Naked is the best way to go, I'm sorry but it can't stay pristine forever, enjoy the function of the iPhone and don't worry about a few scratches here and there...it's not the end of the world if you scratch it!

[Ntombi]

I'm with you. :)

I keep it in an iPod sock only when I have to put it in my purse, but around the house or in my pocket, it's naked as a jaybird. And beautiful. :D

[Trajectory]

I have a clear Agent18 case on my iPhone, so, it looks naked, but allows the iPhone itself to show through. I won't use one of those glass protection sheets, though, they are a pain to apply and look like crap after about a month.

I mostly want the case to protect my iPhone if I drop it.

[dukebound85]

one of most important decisions eh lol

[Dimwhit]

My main problem with the naked phone is that it's just too dang slippery in my hand. That's the only reason I put a case on mine.

[ismoker]

but people hardly notice about clear skin
none of my friends, even ones who own iphone, noticed that i put clear skin on my iphone..
hmm..'natural as it is' is beautiful i still don want scratches:(

[thelarster]

Couldn't agree more - naked! :D

[markfraser]

I really don't understand why the market even exists for cases. Why buy a sleek, tactile phone and cover it in a bulky case or some sticky plastic. The screen has proven to be pretty resilient. Seriously, unless you are a clumsy oaf and your case protects damage in the case of dropping it, then why bother?

[Arran]

I've never understood why people buy the "Mona Lisa" of consumer electronics - and then cover her up in tacky plastic.:confused:

[Trajectory]

A genius at an Apple Store told me that the glass on the iPhone is superhard and won't scratch easily. He said he throws his iPhone in his pocket with keys all the time and it doesn't have a scratch on the glass (he showed me).

The rest of the iPhone is a different story.

[Trajectory]

My main problem with the naked phone is that it's just too dang slippery in my hand. That's the only reason I put a case on mine.

Same for me! I was worried that the phone would slip right out of my hand and crash to the floor, so, the clear case makes it easier to grip and hold.

[iblastoff]

My main problem with the naked phone is that it's just too dang slippery in my hand. That's the only reason I put a case on mine.

yep. i have bse on the back of my 3g and i can definitely appreciate the extra grip.

[HarryKeogh]

hmm..'natural as it is' is beautiful i still don want scratches:(

I certainly appreciate that. Like I'm sure you do,I take really good care of my stuff. But I just have this internal dialogue:

nice phone

thanks!

any scratches on it?

nope! I have this plastic film on it!

cool! So when do you get to see the scratch free iPhone that you're going through such effort to protect?

for those 12 seconds between film changes! How I treasure those moments!

[lindsayanng]

I am a clumsy oaf, and dropping your iphone is NOT the end of the world. i HATE having a case on my phone, and i am giving myself one more month of no drops on pavemenbt and i'm taking it off...

my ONLY fear is it going sliding face down across concrete. that is the ONLY way teh face would get scratched (I have stress tested my phone) and i HAVE dropped if face down on the pavement before.. LUCKILY i had a case on it that made the edges jsut a LITTLE higher than the face and saved it from scratches.

[Arran]

A genius at an Apple Store told me that the glass on the iPhone is superhard and won't scratch easily. ...

That's correct. The whole "screen protector" industry emerged with the original Newton 10-15 years ago. Newtons had a glass screen, but with a permanently attached plastic top layer. Over time, the plastic top layer would scratch and look ugly - hence the replaceable "screen protector" was invented.

With today's completely glass screens, there's no need for a protector. The only thing that's going to scratch it is something hard like diamond or tungsten carbide.

(And if you have your pockets stuffed full of scratchy diamonds then you probably don't worry about scratches:D)

[HarryKeogh]

yep. i have bse on the back of my 3g and i can definitely appreciate the extra grip.

OK, I could appreciate that use for skins. When I play Scrabble with friends I slip it in its leather case.

That way I don't have a mini-heart attack after each turn and it's passed around.:D

[Next Tuesday]

OK, I could appreciate that use for skins. When I play Scrabble with friends I slip it in its leather case.

That way I don't have a mini-heart attack after each turn and it's passed around.:D

Skins are really good for resale value when the next iphone comes out. Nobody wants a scratched up phone.

[lindsayanng]

dont agree with that fact that diamonds or carbide are the ONLY things that can scratch the iphone screen.. any little piece of gritty sand COULD do it.. it given the right pressure and friction.. i agree that it wouldnt be EASY to scratch, but very possible..for instance, your keys probably will NOT scratch teh screen/

THat is how sandblasted glass came about.. because sand CAN scratch glass easily..

[Bodah]

The iPhone glass is not unscratchable. I am tired of reading this. I got a big scratch in the face of my phone the second day I had it. It wasn't dropped, it was only in my pocket with my ID badge for work (plastic).

Luckily the Invisible Shield face protector that I put on it hides it pretty well.

[Ferris23]

I keep my devices mint for resale value, and scratches look like crap. I have a screen protector on the front and BSE on the back. No way either of those are coming off. Someday you will regret your decision.

;)

But enjoy the freedom I guess. I did take a big step in ditching my Griffin Elan Form case and just going with the best skin ever. It's one thing to not want to add bulk via a case, but the BSE is so minimal I can't imagine not at least using that.

[Arran]

dont agree with that fact that diamonds or carbide are the ONLY things that can scratch the iphone screen...

Okay, I stand corrected. I just did an experiment. Metal keys don't scratch, but a little bit of unglazed terracotta did. Kind of surprising.:eek:

I sincerely hope we're not heading for a re-run of the 1G nano debacle.

So yeah folks; watch out for concrete/stone/etc.

[lindsayanng]

ITS TECH GEAR... no matter HOW mint it is, unless your buying and reselling within 1 year, the value is going to drop drastically anyways. most people dont buy things in order to resell them one day.. most people buy things like phones to USE THEM every day and enjoy using them.. If a case or screen protector makes it less enjoyable, then its not a bad decision..

[lindsayanng]

Okay, I stand corrected. I just did an experiment. Metal keys don't scratch, but a little bit of unglazed terracotta did. Kind of surprising.:eek:

.


terracotta is BASICALLY sand.. so not too surprising. CAn you post pics?

[Next Tuesday]

ITS TECH GEAR... no matter HOW mint it is, unless your buying and reselling within 1 year, the value is going to drop drastically anyways. most people dont buy things in order to resell them one day.. most people buy things like phones to USE THEM every day and enjoy using them.. If a case or screen protector makes it less enjoyable, then its not a bad decision..

I disagree. I bought my original iphone for 400 and just sold it on craigslist for 550. And thats because it was mint condition from having a full body skin on it from day one.

[lindsayanng]

yes, and you probably only had it for one year... correct?? if you plan on KEEPING your phone for longer than one year, then why would you cover it up if it means not enjoying it??

[Dimwhit]

I disagree. I bought my original iphone for 400 and just sold it on craigslist for 550. And thats because it was mint condition from having a full body skin on it from day one.

That's going to start changing as the iPhone becomes available in more countries and AT&T loses it's exclusive contract here in the States. When it becomes easier to get, the resale value will drop for them.

[stevin]

terracotta is BASICALLY sand.. so not too surprising. CAn you post pics?

I'd have to disagree... with the first gen iPhone I loved having it naked and didn't understand anybody that would ruin its beautiful back by glossing it up with a skin.. but with the 3G the BSE back skin really doesn't look all that bad on my black phone atleast.

I'd agree with some that it adds grip.. enough that i can leave it on my dashboard and not have it fly around while driving... but what i love is that I can throw it around (and by that I mean... not place is very very very gently on a surface for fear of scratching the back!)

I can also state that I accidentally dropped it from about 1 inch above my macbook air as I was picking it up or placing it down.. don't know which... but it hit against the edge of my MBA (the edges are unfortunately very sharp) it put a 1mm scratch on the skin but i'll bet you the phone isn't scratched and had I not had the skin on ... I'm sure there would be an ugly scratch or a chunk missing.

[lindsayanng]

I'd have to disagree... with the first gen iPhone I loved having it naked and didn't understand anybody that would ruin its beautiful back by glossing it up with a skin.. but with the 3G the BSE back skin really doesn't look all that bad on my black phone atleast.




what exactly are you disagreeing to??

[oghowie]

That's going to start changing as the iPhone becomes available in more countries and AT&T loses it's exclusive contract here in the States. When it becomes easier to get, the resale value will drop for them.

I believe the exclusivity got extended to 2010?

People said the 1st gen iPhones would drop a lot in value once the 3G came out. It hasn't because you still have to sign a 2 yr contract for the subsidized pricing.

[zephead]

I normally don't cover up my iPods with anything unless you can't tell it's there, so I have a screen protector for my Nano and one for my shiny new iPhone. The day after I got the iPhone I got a Power Support screen protector and I'm very satisfied with it. I can't tell it's there by looking at it and it makes the screen very smooth and smudge-free, and it keeps the sensitivity intact.

[stevin]

what exactly are you disagreeing to??

Hey sorry. I wasn't disagreeing with you. I was disagreeing with the thread in general. Saying that while I agree that the back is sleek and sexy... Its a scratch magnet and needs a well applied skin :P

[cookiemoose]

Okay, I stand corrected. I just did an experiment. Metal keys don't scratch, but a little bit of unglazed terracotta did. Kind of surprising.
.

:eek:

[Smacky]

No scratches = sell for more when the next iphone comes out

[mBox]

yep. i have bse on the back of my 3g and i can definitely appreciate the extra grip.
Im using the Contour Hardskin and man is it awesome. Grippy and handles a good drop. Plus in that black skin it reminds me of the Dark Knight :) LOL!
All kidding aside, I usually open it up and clean out all the crap that builds up in there. Then I take a good look at the phone in its naked form...a thing of beauty I tell yaa ;) Its a shame I have to protect it :(

[HaroldC]

I agree with the OP, as I never had a skin on my 2G iPhone either.

But then one day, the phone slipped out of my pocket in a cab. I didn't realize until it was too late and I never got the cab number. Tried calling it for at least an hour, finally gave up and called at&t and deactivated the sim.

Now on my 3G, I've got a bodygardz on the back. While I prefer nothing hiding my phone, it does provide some traction, especially considering the 3G back is more slick than the 2G aluminum back.

Lesson learned.

[macthille]

I decided to remove my IS from my iPod touch (because it had a weird texture look) and a couple of weeks after that I had a scratch on the screen.
One week after that I had one more + some minor scratches.

I always kept it in a separate pocket and I was very careful with it (+ I never play in sand boxes..). Very weird.
So I've decided to uglify my iPhone 3g just a little bit with BG to protect it from scratches... I have after all signed up for a two year contract, so I want it scratch free for as long as possible :)

But I agree... ...it looks best naked.

[Ferris23]

I ditched a case for good tonight, I'm sick of them.

The skin on the back and a good screen protector is it. I enjoy holding the actual phone so much more than with a bulky case, and they are all damn bulky compared to the Iphone.

It goes into my pocket with ease, feels great in my hand and is just a marvel to look at in bed. Ok that's a little much but really, the phone should not be covered with the exception of a clear skin.

[ArmyMirage]

I really don't understand why the market even exists for cases. Why buy a sleek, tactile phone and cover it in a bulky case or some sticky plastic. The screen has proven to be pretty resilient. Seriously, unless you are a clumsy oaf and your case protects damage in the case of dropping it, then why bother?

AMEN. My previous phone I carried for 2 years and never dropped it once. And it was a beater phone. I didn't really care about it that much it just served its purpose. Ive had my iPhone for a few days and have been using it naked to see if I feel like I need anything (case or skin) and I think I can honestly say no.

[dissdnt]

I had my original first gen iphone naked since i got it and was more then happy. I recently got it swapped out because of some issues and got the swap a case so it's as flawless as possible when i sell it to go to 3G sometime soon.

I can say having a case on it sucks. It's bulky and doesn't slide in and out of your pocket easy. Hides the look and feel of it.. just sucks hehe.

Since the 3g is only 199 there's no reason to get a case for it. There's gonna be no resale value on those things since everyone and there mother is getting one.

So when i go 3g, i'm going naked son!

[clancemasterj]

I don't know about you guys, but I never took off the the plastic that the iPhone was originally wrapped in...

[uberzete]

I agree I love a naked iPhone but I'm just too damn anal about scratches! I get upset with myself when I leave finger prints on the screen. Sad I know.

[zephead]

Last weekend my iPhone jumped out of my shirt pocket when I was running and slid face-first across the concrete :eek: :eek: but the screen protector died a hero in saving my iPhone's screen. I took it off later that day since it was scratched to hell and even though I don't like the smudges, I like how buttery the screen feels. :D

[edtorious]

I ditched a case for good tonight, I'm sick of them.

The skin on the back and a good screen protector is it. I enjoy holding the actual phone so much more than with a bulky case, and they are all damn bulky compared to the Iphone.

It goes into my pocket with ease, feels great in my hand and is just a marvel to look at in bed. Ok that's a little much but really, the phone should not be covered with the exception of a clear skin.

Hey, this seems a good idea, I might ditch my case and try this. ;)
Now then, whats a good protector on the front? No skin! I tried it before and didn't like it but I think I can live with skin on just the back.

[richxps]

Wow now this thread got me thinking even more. Should i take my full body skin off... Should go with a form fitting case... Damnnnnn
Should i just use a pouch ? Should it just go in the pocket....
I think the more i read stuff in there forums the more i get confused.....

[kicko]

I use a pouch with a belt clip for everyday use and i am anal about scratches. I am super careful with my things. Keeping it prime looking longer is my goal while at the same time keeping it as original as possible. With a pouch, PS crystal, and SGP ulta thin case, thats how i keep it close to naked.

[sfh]

body guardz are the way to go ... A lil tough to put on but indestructable

[richxps]

Any pics of the SGP ? not sure i know what that is... Thanks

[Daremo]

I've never understood why people buy the "Mona Lisa" of consumer electronics - and then cover her up in tacky plastic.:confused:

The exact same reason the Mona Lisa is behind glass when you go to see it. :D

[Houls]

I also really like the aesthetics of the phone and dislike most cases. I've tried so many it's bordering on obsession. I also had a BSE on this phone which I liked but the corners kept catching pocket lint so I tore it off. I found the case for me finally, the Power Support Air Jacket with Crystal Film on the screen. This adds virtually no bulk to the phone and keeps it from getting scratched. You really have to look hard to see that it's on there.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/jhoulihan/3g006.jpg http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/jhoulihan/3g007.jpg http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w206/jhoulihan/3g011.jpg

[ajwchin]

I don't know about you guys, but I never took off the the plastic that the iPhone was originally wrapped in...

Surely it would eventually fall off?

[BrokenE]

...baby come back, you can blame it all on me, lalalalala lalalalalalala la

LOL, good luck :)

[BoingoBongo]

The Air Jacket fits awesome, but give it a big fat 0 for durability. It scratches like a crack addict, and mine has begun to yellow terribly.

[yode]

the glass does scratch.. i have tiny scratches on my glass and I dont keep diamonds in my pocket...and I haven't dropped it either

[kicko]

Any pics of the SGP ? not sure i know what that is... Thanks

its just like an air jacket but i think better. This is an example of the clear case but its also in many other colors.

http://www.sgpstore.com/product_info.php/products_id/326