iPhone 13 Pro Max Actually needing a case for my 13 Pro Max?

[MisterBigMack]

Hiya guys,

Ive had my iPhone 11 for just over a year now, I paid for an early upgrade to get out my 24 month contract to pre order my 13 Pro Max on sunday, I just didn’t like the 11 for a number of reasons but that’s for a separate thread,

I absolutely love the stainless steel aspect of the Pro models and the sierra blue colour variant so I don't really want to buy a case for it..

For people who had the 12 Pros and 12 Pros Maxes, how susceptible are scratches and bangs? I know it has this Ceramic Shield, but in a realistic world how do they fare?

Can I get away in getting a really good screen protector but leaving the back open so I can have the fantastic colour on show?

 

[rambo47]

Its inevitable that you'll get a scratch without a case, even if the phone comes with a coating. I'd suggest a clear case of some kind. Lots to choose from. Alternately, you could get a full phone protective film. Not as much protection as a real case but better than the simple coating from the factory.

 

[Eric8199]

I have an iPhone 12 Pro in blue. I always buy an Apple case with my phones, but I rarely use it. I have it in case I'm in some environment where I feel I might drop my phone. Otherwise, I don't use one. I never use a screen protector — haven't since the iPhone 3GS. Back then, I noticed the protector would get scratched up really bad, and when I kept it off my phone, the glass was much more resilient. I realized I was having a worse experience trying to protect my phone for someone else, as I upgrade every year anyway.

That being said, this phone still looks flawless. No scratches on the back, none on the front. None on the edges. The oleophobic coating has worn off, so it's massively fingerprinted, but if you wipe it down with a cloth, it looks brand new. I don't even notice micro scratches on the screen this year, which is unusual. Overall this is a super durable device.

I say unless you expect to drop it a ton, leave the case off of it. Enjoy your phone. Get AppleCare+ if you're really worried about.

 

[MisterBigMack]

I have an iPhone 12 Pro in blue. I always buy an Apple case with my phones, but I rarely use it. I have it in case I'm in some environment where I feel I might drop my phone. Otherwise, I don't use one. I never use a screen protector — haven't since the iPhone 3GS. Back then, I noticed the protector would get scratched up really bad, and when I kept it off my phone, the glass was much more resilient. I realized I was having a worse experience trying to protect my phone for someone else, as I upgrade every year anyway.

That being said, this phone still looks flawless. No scratches on the back, none on the front. None on the edges. The oleophobic coating has worn off, so it's massively fingerprinted, but if you wipe it down with a cloth, it looks brand new. I don't even notice micro scratches on the screen this year, which is unusual. Overall this is a super durable device.

I say unless you expect to drop it a ton, leave the case off of it. Enjoy your phone. Get AppleCare+ if you're really worried about.

Thanks for your reply,

Yeah my last couple of iPhones (7,X and now 11) I have always bought a case for it, but then after a couple of months I take it off,

I do try and keep it as prestine as possible, sometimes I do get the occasionally nick which is mainly scratches from bits of dust or whatever in my pocket, the last iPhone I actually cracked was my iPhone 5 years and years ago

I think when you get a new phone you just want to be pristine all the time dont you and trying your best to keep it from getting knocked you easily do

I have normal phone insurance but that is standard with a £100 excess on a replacement - is AppleCare better for your money?

 

[JtheLemur]

I really never use cases, but Moment has a very cool yellow case that I could not pass up. Got it purely for the color. I'll probably end up taking it off after a month. ;D https://www.shopmoment.com/products...-13-compatible-with-magsafe/13-pro-max-yellow

 

[rambo47]

I really never use cases, but Moment has a very cool yellow case that I could not pass up. Got it purely for the color. I'll probably end up taking it off after a month. ;D https://www.shopmoment.com/products...-13-compatible-with-magsafe/13-pro-max-yellow

Ooh, that's a gorgeous yellow. I generally stick with Apple cases as the silicone and leather have always met my needs and tastes. But this case looks like it checks all the boxes for me.

 

[Ctg44]

I'm thinking of doing this but using one of the clear skin/wraps to keep scratches off the back of the phone.

 

[kstewart61]

Going with the OtterBox commuter case again tons of protection and feels good in the hand.

 

[BuggyGT]

Unless you absolutely baby your phone, it will get scratches. My friends caseless 12 looks worse than both of these in this thread.

How has your iPhone 12 Pro held up caseless?

Curious to hear from people how their iPhone 12 Pro/Max has held up caseless? Has the stainless steel scratched alot? How about the glass back?

forums.macrumors.com

 

[azhava]

...Can I get away in getting a really good screen protector but leaving the back open so I can have the fantastic colour on show?

It depends on how and where you use your phone.

I put my phone in a case first thing when I take it out of the box, and always use screen protectors. But I live in the desert where there's dust everywhere, and my phone bounces around in golf carts, off-road vehicles, boats, mountain bikes, etc. Often when I take it out of the golf cart or off-road vehicle it's completely covered in dust. It gets used outdoors a lot in conditions from 120+ degrees F in the summer to 30° F in the winter. It gets set on rough/dirty/wet surfaces a lot, and goes in and out of dirty/dusty pants pockets almost constantly. If I didn't use a case and screen protector, it wouldn't take long before my phone would look like I dragged it down 10 miles of dirt road behind my truck. If I thrash a case or screen protector, I put a new one on and the phone itself doesn't take the damage. I usually keep my phones for 2-3 years, and when I trade them in they look basically brand new. I don't abuse them, but I don't baby them either.

For somebody who lives in the city, works in an indoor environment, doesn't venture into harsh conditions much and is ultra-careful with their phone, their usage isn't as severe and they could probably get away with no case or screen protector. You know better than anybody else how and where you use your phone, protect it (or not) accordingly.

 

[Bandaman]

Get the clear Spigen Liquid Crystal case. Been using these for years and they have protected my phones against many drops over the years while showing off the iPhone’s prettiness.

 

[Ivabign]

I use a case when out and about - but when home I take the case off. I do use a screen protector because Apple screens get scratches. NOW - I used to sell my phones and it paid to keep the phone flawless. This made sense when I could get more $ selling than Verizon would give me in a trade-in when it was time to upgrade.

If things hold up as they are where a 2-year old iPhone in pretty much any condition gets a grand or close toward a new unit, I would be inclined to never use a case. These phones are truly works of art. The slab of glass and steel is gorgeous IMHO - and I would prefer to never use a case.

 

[cypressc]

I gave up on a case about two years ago. For the first two weeks, I was so delicate with my phone - scared to pieces that it would slip and crack.

Well, not only has it not broken, despite being dropped more times than I care to admit, but I have gotten so used to a "naked" iPhone that I don't baby the phone when I handle it at all -- and it is glorious. It is the phone the way is was intended to be used.

Also - who doesn't get Apple care with their phone? It's $29 to fix a broken screen, and you get three of them. Maybe after you break two, put a case on and start worrying about it. Until then, use it like you stole it. You will look back and wonder why you bought silicon/leather cases all these years.

 

[richard13]

I agree that it depends on how and where you use your phone. Personally, I have found that screen protectors are completely worthless. They often collect dirt, dust and fingerprints especially around the edges. Similarly for cases. I have had some "ok" cases but none were perfect and often sand, grit and other particles get inside and actually create scratches that wouldn't have happened if I had just gone without. That said, if you work/play in a high debris environment or if it is likely you may accidentally drop your phone you might want either or both of these type products. Also consider there is Apple Care and/or credit card insurance that may negate these.

 

[Eric8199]

Thanks for your reply,

Yeah my last couple of iPhones (7,X and now 11) I have always bought a case for it, but then after a couple of months I take it off,

I do try and keep it as prestine as possible, sometimes I do get the occasionally nick which is mainly scratches from bits of dust or whatever in my pocket, the last iPhone I actually cracked was my iPhone 5 years and years ago

I think when you get a new phone you just want to be pristine all the time dont you and trying your best to keep it from getting knocked you easily do

I have normal phone insurance but that is standard with a £100 excess on a replacement - is AppleCare better for your money?

Honestly, I've never used Applecare+ lol. I have had it the last several years because it's required for the upgrade program. This year I bought my phone on my Apple Card, but got AppleCare+ again just for peace of mind. I can't remember what the replacement fee is.