Anyone else miss the days of phones not needing cases?

[eyoungren]

Despite being a little thicker, I think $20 is a good investment over a cracked screen that'll cost $200+ to replace.

You did not get Applecare+ or it's not available where you are?

I crack a screen and it will cost me $49 (because I got AC+ before Apple raised prices). AC+ cost me $99 last year. That to me is a good investment. Next year when I get the 6 and AC+ expires on my iPhone 5, it won't matter anymore for my i5.

 

[3bs]

The new 5c kind of gives you an option where a case isn't needed...

How so?

 

[B.Boston]

Then don't drop it! How hard can it be? What are you? A 5 yo epileptic kid?
I never dropped my iphone. And trust me, i couldn't care less about it, i don't baby it, i don't use a case, it's full od scratches from my keys.
Yet, i never dropped it.

Whoa... calm down there bro. Perhaps you'll go home this evening and drop it in the toilet. There is a first time for everything afterall. No need to be crass.

 

[eyoungren]

No I do not suffer from epilepsy. Go look up the word "accident" in the dictionary.

Myself, I do not use cases, but I have to side with you in your argument. The reason I side with you is simply because my biggest fear is not ME dropping my phone or damaging it. I'm careful.

However, I live and work with a LOT of people who are careless, clumsy and some who just don't give a F if they screw up your phone. Those people are the reason I have Applecare+.

 

[3bs]

Myself, I do not use cases, but I have to side with you in your argument. The reason I side with you is simply because my biggest fear is not ME dropping my phone or damaging it. I'm careful.

However, I live and work with a LOT of people who are careless, clumsy and some who just don't give a F if they screw up your phone. Those people are the reason I have Applecare+.

A friend of mine dropped my S3 last year and it got a pretty bad dent on one of the edges so I worry about that too. I wish I could get Apple Care+ in Ireland.

 

[kmpowell]

- Do I prefer to be discreet, and not advertise the fact I have the latest iPhone? YES
- Do I want the phone to be tactile and give me a bit of 'grip' when I hold it? YES
- Do I want a case which raises the camera lens/cover off the surfaces I place the phone on every day, so it doesn't get scratched/damaged? YES
- Do I want to keep my 5S in perfect condition to maximise it's resale value in a few years time? YES

With all that in mind, my Space Grey 5S lives snuggly in an offical Black leather Apple case. Hardly anybody looks at or notices it, and all the protection it gives suits my requirements perfectly.

If I want to enjoy the aesthetics of the phone (which is very rare!), I simply pop it out of the case at home.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

Handling a naked iPhone is actually an acquired skill. I dropped the original iPhone twice as I wasn't used to it. Never again. It's simply a matter of learning to handle the iPhone without a case.

If you're used to the case, you're more likely to drop a naked one compared to someone who's gone several years without a case.

 

[Nipommu]

for me at least, i put my phone in a case in order to enjoy the phone in a perfect state. resale is a concern but not the reason. my phone must be in a perfect condition for me to enjoy otherwise it'll go naked. i like having the option to take the case off if i want to and enjoy a phone that is aesthetically undamaged. its the option of having that. if i don't use a case, then that option is forever gone and i'd much rather have that option than eliminating it.

also, i like it when i get sick of a case i'd take it off and feel the thinness like i just bought a new phone. so for me, its the option to have perfect phone and being able to make that happen as easy as putting on and off a case.

my usual cycle would be first 6-8 months with a case, the rest i'd go naked or some sort of skin or pouch, then ultimately naked. its not like i don't enjoy the phone naked i just do so after 6-8 months when i get really bored with my phone.

 

[eyoungren]

for me at least, i put my phone in a case in order to enjoy the phone in a perfect state. resale is a concern but not the reason. my phone must be in a perfect condition for me to enjoy otherwise it'll go naked. i like having the option to take the case off if i want to and enjoy a phone that is aesthetically undamaged. its the option of having that. if i don't use a case, then that option is forever gone and i'd much rather have that option than eliminating it.

also, i like it when i get sick of a case i'd take it off and feel the thinness like i just bought a new phone. so for me, its the option to have perfect phone and being able to make that happen as easy as putting on and off a case.

my usual cycle would be first 6-8 months with a case, the rest i'd go naked or some sort of skin or pouch, then ultimately naked. its not like i don't enjoy the phone naked i just do so after 6-8 months when i get really bored with my phone.

I actually enjoy seeing the wear and tear over time. To me, it brings character to the phone. Only MY phone looks like that, and it's an indicator that the phone is being used, that it is performing the function it was designed for and not just sitting around looking cute.

 

[notjustjay]

Clearly this is a matter of personal opinion.

For me, I've always kept my cell phones in a case, from the Nokia 5190 up to my iPhone 5S. My phones see fairly rugged use, they have fallen out of my pocket, into couches, they get taken out while hiking, in the snow, etc. Perhaps worst of all, I have developed a habit of keeping my cell phone in the same pants pockets as my keys. This worked fine when it was a little Nokia that I didn't care too much about, but I really want to protect the screen of the iPhone, so I use an Otterbox Commuter with a screen protector.

I know, I know, just change pockets, right? I tried that. Old habits are very hard to break.

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I actually enjoy seeing the wear and tear over time. To me, it brings character to the phone. Only MY phone looks like that, and it's an indicator that the phone is being used, that it is performing the function it was designed for and not just sitting around looking cute.

Sure, but I also know people whose phones have enormous cracks or chips, and I knew one guy whose iPhone was so cracked you could barely read anything. This was way beyond character marks and well into "dude, you need to take care of your crap."

 

[adam044]

Why are you so sure about that? The LG G Flex can be bent (including the screen) so maybe in the future we will have phones that are even more bendable and the screens unbreakable or at least a lot more resistant.

You mis interpreted my post.

 

[3bs]

You mis interpreted my post.

My bad

 

[adam044]

the moto x is just as vulnerable as the iphone or any other smartphone.

if it falls the wrong way the screen will shatter and you'll need to replace it.



having said that - i never used a case on my devices. not when i was using an iphone and not now with the htc one; but i am not clumsy and pay special attention when i am handling my phones. i know of other people who just can't avoid letting their phone drop regularly.


then of course there are others who buy an expensive phone thinking on the day they'll sell it. unlike the former (who just does not want to go bankrupt fixing their phone every week), they make a decision of not ever really enjoying the quality of their purchases so that the next person who buys it off them can.

Cool I don't use a case. Tell it to someone who does

 

[BJMRamage]

I had a bumper on my iPhone 4 (first smartphone). and then that cracked after 6 mos. so it remained naked for the next 2.5 years. it has dropped and scratched a tiny little bit in that time. (once from was it high to the sidewalk with just a tiny scratch)

I now have a work-issued (non-insured, not sure why they don't) iPhone 5S. I'm thinking of getting a case because if it breaks they might just give me an Android device, or some other iPhone...doesn't need to be a direct replacement. BUT I'd want a thin case so nothing too clunky.


While I understand the thought of a case for something you "pay a lot of money for" I also have thoughts of...it's just a material thing. if it gets a scratch it will still work. and once you have a scratch, the others that follow won't seem as harsh.

 

[nburwell]

I never had a case on any of my iPhone's until the 4 came out. I only put one on there because it made the phone easier to hold (for me). Ever since then, I have put a slim case on my phone. I do usually end up selling my phones, but that really doesn't factor into if I'm placing a case on it. It's more comfort factor.

 

[eyoungren]

Sure, but I also know people whose phones have enormous cracks or chips, and I knew one guy whose iPhone was so cracked you could barely read anything. This was way beyond character marks and well into "dude, you need to take care of your crap."

Well, of course there is a certain point. That's when you have it fixed or replaced. I'm just talking daily wear. Again, something like major damage is what AC+ is for.

 

[Mrbobb]

Before a phone was just for making calls. Somebody saw you with a phone on your waist they thought you are a salesman, a lawyer, a real estate agent.

These days, the phone is your life, your entertainment on-the-go, a fashion accessory. I notice a few coworkers change case every few months, am guessing like a pair of new shoes or something.

Me, no case. If I drop it, perfect excuse to upgrade.

 

[sparks9]

So we do [disagree].

I make my purchases based first on looks and second on performance. Maybe that's shallow, but it's always gotten me what I wanted. And figuring out how to make things work is always fun.

Airplay? Sure. I've heard of it. But I can't use it. One, I'm not on iOS 7, I'm jailbroken on iOS 6 (no Playskool/Fisher Price inspired iOS for me right now thanks) and two, my PowerPC Macs do not support Airplay.

And yeah, my PowerPC Macs also do not support my iPhone 5. But there's benefits to being jailbroken. Like never having to use iTunes! Consequently, function is not anywhere near as important to me as form.

Your loss. iOS 7 is excellent.

 

[spinedoc77]

tbh i never understood this behaviour either. some sort of modern disorder that makes them obsessed with keeping a phone in the same state they bought it - even if that meant putting it in carbonite freeze

in any case what is even more curious is that many of these people are those who at the end of the day worship the iphone's (and other apple devices) aesthetics.

I think it just depends how smart you are with your money. If I pay $750 for a phone and can sell it a year later for $400 to help buy a new one then that's savings for me and an ability to have the newest phone every year. I try to be careful with any $750 purchase I make, even though I can afford to pay $750 every year I find that I'd rather save money and use it for something else.

I put on the thinnest case I can find, those extremely thin plastic cases on Ebay for like 4 bucks. It doesn't protect it from drops, but it protects it from scratches and doesn't add any bulk at all to the phone, plus they are transparent so you can still see the phone itself and the beautiful engineering.

 

[Ramio]

Imo the 5/5s design is uncomfortable to hold because of the lack of rounded edges so I put in a rounded case which makes it much more comfortable to hold. Plus I drop my phones a lot so it's nice to have it protected.

 

[eyoungren]

Your loss. iOS 7 is excellent.

I have everything iOS 7 has, if not better. What I DON'T have is the blindingly garish fruit salad of unicorn puke colors on my screen.

I'm jailbroken. My GUI is black/grayscale and that's the way I want it.

Tell me. Can you sync up movies, video, ringtones and music on your iOS 7 iPhone without using iTunes? No? I can. And movies end up in the right place, in the video app and not on the stupid camera roll. Can you make albums in iOS 7 where the pictures are removed from the camera roll? No? I can. How about connecting to your iPhone like a disk drive and being able to copy to and from without limitation? No? I feel bad for you.

How about hands free SIRI? Mailbox rules? Contact photos inside Mail and Address Book? Quick Reply, Quick Compose (from inside ANY app)? Making calls from the lockscreen? Making calls inside any app? Changing your default browser? I could go on, but I'll stop now.

You see I can do a lot of things MORE than iOS 7 too!

So, feel sorry for my "loss" but I assure you, I don't!

 

[applegeek25]

I believe the decision to use a case or not depends on your lifestyle. Apple has done an amazing job at marketing the iPhone for anyone & everyone. If you're a construction worker/manual labourer, then I doubt you'd consider using an iPhone without an Otterbox.

Realistically, most people who use protective cases aren't benefitting that much from them. What's the point in having thinner/lighter smartphones if we're just going to cover them up with a thick and hefty case?

 

[musika]

5c is the answer.

 

[boomdog]

No case for me. I do however have a skin on my iPad, because I hate the rounded edges. Must upgrade to the latest one ASAP!

The iPhone is perfect naked. I love it, I tried 5 cases in the first two months thinking "I've got this sucker for 2 years, I need to take care of it" but I hated using it as I couldn't find a case that feels and functions as well. I do however use one of the cases (lifeproof) for certain outdoor activities (canoeing, running / cycling in the rain, beach, camping) but only when the activity poses significant risk and without the case I would avoid using the device. I've now had the 5 for 13 months. I had to get it replaced a few months back due to a fault with one of the buttons so I got the new feel back under warranty. If it breaks again, you can buy a new screen for about £50 and it takes all of 3 minutes to replace. I replaced my iPhone 4 screen many times and that was an arduous process. Thankfully Apple made the iPhone 5 screen a doddle to remove.

I am definitely all about function over design and that's another reason for not using a case. Many of my numerous headphones / aux cables are too big to connect through the slots in a case meaning every time I try to connect one I have to remove the case. That alone is a deal breaker for me.

Clearly there are two sides to this fence and it's all down to preference. My preference is use it as it comes.

 

[B.Boston]

I have everything iOS 7 has, if not better. What I DON'T have is the blindingly garish fruit salad of unicorn puke colors on my screen.

I'm jailbroken. My GUI is black/grayscale and that's the way I want it.

Tell me. Can you sync up movies, video, ringtones and music on your iOS 7 iPhone without using iTunes? No? I can. And movies end up in the right place, in the video app and not on the stupid camera roll. Can you make albums in iOS 7 where the pictures are removed from the camera roll? No? I can. How about connecting to your iPhone like a disk drive and being able to copy to and from without limitation? No? I feel bad for you.

How about hands free SIRI? Mailbox rules? Contact photos inside Mail and Address Book? Quick Reply, Quick Compose (from inside ANY app)? Making calls from the lockscreen? Making calls inside any app? Changing your default browser? I could go on, but I'll stop now.

You see I can do a lot of things MORE than iOS 7 too!

So, feel sorry for my "loss" but I assure you, I don't!

Well, I guess you're just so much better than everyone else here, aren't you? It sounds like you don't like anything about Apple or iOS at all, besides the hardware. That shouldn't be enough of a reason anymore since the other phone companies now put out very high quality headsets. Perhaps and Samsung/Moto/HTC running on the latest Android would better suit your needs to customize every aspect of your phone. I know plenty of people with the GS4 that love its ability to move things around and change colors. Of course it could just be a complex you have fueling your need to sound superior to everyone else with a different opinion.

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No case for me. I do however have a skin on my iPad, because I hate the rounded edges. Must upgrade to the latest one ASAP!

The iPhone is perfect naked. I love it, I tried 5 cases in the first two months thinking "I've got this sucker for 2 years, I need to take care of it" but I hated using it as I couldn't find a case that feels and functions as well. I do however use one of the cases (lifeproof) for certain outdoor activities (canoeing, running / cycling in the rain, beach, camping) but only when the activity poses significant risk and without the case I would avoid using the device. I've now had the 5 for 13 months. I had to get it replaced a few months back due to a fault with one of the buttons so I got the new feel back under warranty. If it breaks again, you can buy a new screen for about £50 and it takes all of 3 minutes to replace. I replaced my iPhone 4 screen many times and that was an arduous process. Thankfully Apple made the iPhone 5 screen a doddle to remove.

I am definitely all about function over design and that's another reason for not using a case. Many of my numerous headphones / aux cables are too big to connect through the slots in a case meaning every time I try to connect one I have to remove the case. That alone is a deal breaker for me.

Clearly there are two sides to this fence and it's all down to preference. My preference is use it as it comes.

With my 4s I did something very similar. I had an invisishield on the front and back and put it in an otterbox defender for when I was doing something like snowboarding or moving. I think I would just do that again but I got the lifeproof case (that still allows touch ID to work) but I don't think having the skin on the front and back would work with the case's waterproofing. I think I may just use a case like the griffin reveal case for when I would normally not use one.