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But why would it matter if you are never going to see the scratched surface? I could give you two iPhones already in cases. They could be identical aside from one being scratched to hell under the case and the other being pristine. Would you know the difference without taking the case off? Since you are a case user you never have your case off anyway so you would never know if it is scratched or not.

It would matter to ME. I don't want any scratches on my iPhone. Period. Even if it is kept in a case. Sorry that I can't explain it better.
 
It would matter to ME. I don't want any scratches on my iPhone. Period. Even if it is kept in a case. Sorry that I can't explain it better.
Nope, that works. I was just wondering if there was a reason I was missing. I can understand not wanting scratches even if you don't ever see them just because you don't want them.
 
Because people like to protect their iPhones? I'm sure there are people that could care less about scratches, but I didn't pay good money to have my phone all scratched up.
 
You wear a helmet and leathers to protect from injury. A case to protect from scratches is just protecting the aesthetic value, but the process of protecting the aesthetic value destroys that very aesthetic by virtue of its function.


is road rash, cuts, bruises and scars asthetic? you can still walk, run and live life with scars but women will look at you like you're a freak...and though we may wear pants most of the time getting naked once and a while isnt out of the question...sometimes my phone likes to get naked and if its all beat to poop it will make me feel like poop.

plus, some cases are clear and body skins are clear...
 
is road rash, cuts, bruises and scars asthetic? you can still walk, run and live life with scars but women will look at you like you're a freak...and though we may wear pants most of the time getting naked once and a while isnt out of the question...sometimes my phone likes to get naked and if its all beat to poop it will make me feel like poop.

plus, some cases are clear and body skins are clear...
I hardly think people wear helmets because they do not want to ruin the aesthetics of their head. While that may be a secondary reason i am relatively sure that most people wear helmets to protect from injury.

Helmets and leathers are worn to protect from a number of things. Pain is one. infection is another. You don't have those issues with a phone.
 
I hardly think people wear helmets because they do not want to ruin the aesthetics of their head. While that may be a secondary reason i am relatively sure that most people wear helmets to protect from injury.

Helmets and leathers are worn to protect from a number of things. Pain is one. infection is another. You don't have those issues with a phone.

but it does hurt to see an abused gadget...the way you take care of your items in many cases tells others how you treat yourself.
 
Someone please explain this to me. Other than resale value, why do you care about scratches on your iPhone. I am talking about the sides and back mostly as I can see why scratches on the front screen could be an issue.

The reason I ask is that I see so many people who buy an iPhone and get a case on it as soon as they can so they do not get any scratches. The thing is though that those same people never ever ever have their phone naked. So if you can not see the surface that the scratches might be on then what is the big deal?
You answered your own question.
 
Why not try to resell the phone later on when you upgrade to a new one. I have always gotten double what I paid for the phone when I sold it on ebay as an unlocked used phone. So far I have sold my 2g, 3g, and 3gs. I always keep them in a case and they look brand new when I go to sell them which definitely ups the resale value.

Selling my 3Gs bought my wife and I both 4g's and then i sold her iPhone 3Gs and just had a couple hundred bucks in my pocket.
 
If it is in the case then you do not see it though. That is my point.

you dont always keep it in a case though, thats my point...like if I was going out to dinner to a nice place the case comes off and the phone is shown in all its glory...like I dress up and look nice the phone dresses down and looks nice.

like if I had an otterbox defender or something it would be only used for when working or camping and a more suitable case for general mulling around and then naked/skin only for more formal times.

at the end of the day though its all about resale value and lessening the chance of damages by accident or clumsiness. like you buy a brand new car and you do all you can to keep it ding and dent free and when u do get that first parking lot ding you're pissed off and wish you coulda better prevented it...same as dropping a 800buck phone, sucks when you drop it and mash it up no?
 
you dont always keep it in a case though, thats my point
Ahh well you had not said that. My question, as I should have said, was aimed at people who get their phone and won't even think about unboxing it until they have their case ready to put on then they never take it off.
 
you dont always keep it in a case though, thats my point...like if I was going out to dinner to a nice place the case comes off and the phone is shown in all its glory...like I dress up and look nice the phone dresses down and looks nice.

like if I had an otterbox defender or something it would be only used for when working or camping and a more suitable case for general mulling around and then naked/skin only for more formal times.

at the end of the day though its all about resale value and lessening the chance of damages by accident or clumsiness. like you buy a brand new car and you do all you can to keep it ding and dent free and when u do get that first parking lot ding you're pissed off and wish you coulda better prevented it...same as dropping a 800buck phone, sucks when you drop it and mash it up no?
This.

I use my case for when I may take my phone out and put it down somewhere it may get scratched like work, or playing golf, camping etc..

If I go out to eat or lounging around the house my phone is naked most of the time because I like the slimmer feel more.

If I scratch my phone it bothers me a little because the new is gone. My phone has yet to get any scratches but not because it's in a case all the time, like I said it's naked 50% of the time, but because I try to take extra care not to scratch it.

Another reason why people use cases is so they don't have to be so gentle all the time and be paranoid with their phone. With a case on you could set it down on a glass table or on top of something that would scratch it naked, but without a case you're always taking extra time to place it so it won't be harmed. Extra stress some people don't want maybe.
 
Ahh well you had not said that. My question, as I should have said, was aimed at people who get their phone and won't even think about unboxing it until they have their case ready to put on then they never take it off.

I'm not sure there are a lot of people who do this. Most everyone intends to sell, or go without a case at times, or do it for personalization. And for the very few people who have a case just for the sake of having a case .... I doubt they could give a reasonable answer beyond just wanting to keep the phone pristine...just because. ;)

I have an old 2G that I keep in a case. It WAS pristine up until recently when I took it apart to attempt to repair something, and now there are very visible marks from me prying the case apart. It's back in the case and I can no longer see the damage but it still bugs me to know it's all jacked up! It's unreasonable, maybe... but, there you have it.
 
I thought (I know) I bought my iPhone for myself. Why should I keep it pristine and negatively impact how I use it everyday just for the future buyer? You bought it for YOU, not some future person. Unless you're running a phone shop or something.
 
A) if you want to protect from scratches only , an invisible shield or something like that is discreet and will guard against scratches
B) a case is 5.00-60.00 bucks. A new glass back is over $100.
C) cuts down on the number of "zomg dropped my phone now it's cracked" threads.
D) Apple Care is easier to work with if your phone is in better condition.
E) some add functionality-better grip, customization, etc. For instance, the bumper adds clearance to the top and bottom faces of the phone so they won't get scratched or fall off on slippery surfaces (counter tops etc)
F) makes the phone more durable overall I.e. Hardcases
And G) in your circles it might be the "cool" thing to have "battle scars" on all your gear or maybe drive your otherwise nice vehicle through the mud and not wash it, but that sort of thing doesn't fly for me. Not saying that's bad or anything but I just gotta roll up looking clean and fresh :cool:
 
Not sure if anyone mentioned this since I only scanned through some of the posts, put if you scratch up your case, you can always buy a new case. A new case is fairly inexpensive relative a new phone. Scratch your phone and you are pretty much stuck with it for a while. Many cases also help with drop protection. Also, some people just don't like the idea of something new and pretty getting damaged. Keeping it protected, even though they can't see it, gives them piece of mind.
 
A) if you want to protect from scratches only , an invisible shield or something like that is discreet and will guard against scratches
B) a case is 5.00-60.00 bucks. A new glass back is over $100.
C) cuts down on the number of "zomg dropped my phone now it's cracked" threads.
D) Apple Care is easier to work with if your phone is in better condition.
E) some add functionality-better grip, customization, etc. For instance, the bumper adds clearance to the top and bottom faces of the phone so they won't get scratched or fall off on slippery surfaces (counter tops etc)
F) makes the phone more durable overall I.e. Hardcases

Not many cases actually protect from drops. Plastic != shock absorption. Only stuff like Otterbox can actually protect the iPhone from drops. Plastic != more durable than Gorilla Glass. Most cases are made from plastic (you mentioned hardcases) but some are made from silicone. Although I agree with customization, better grip, etc.
 
I would never pay as much for a used gadget that was scratched, vs one that was pristine. Pretty much common sense, IMHO.

Exactly. I have received top dollar for all of my old iPhones because they are like new. I am going to pick a pristine iPhone over some scratched up piece of garbage.
 
That is precisely what I am talking about.

And for all those saying they have it for looks or to protect the screen from shattering or anything else, that is all great and definitely valid reasons to have a case. This thread is not about reasons to have a case though. It is about those who only get a case to avoid scratches.

There have been some great answers so far that have helped me see why some do it. Thanks everyone.
 
Not many cases actually protect from drops. Plastic != shock absorption. Only stuff like Otterbox can actually protect the iPhone from drops. Plastic != more durable than Gorilla Glass. Most cases are made from plastic (you mentioned hardcases) but some are made from silicone. Although I agree with customization, better grip, etc.

I'm not saying you can toss that sucker out of a plane and have it work fine with a plastic shell, but a case can help for short range incidents that would otherwise leave a nice scuff or nick on the hardware. I dropped my iPhones while they were in their contour "showcases" and they left the fray unscathed.
 
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