I've had my matte black iPhone 7 for about a week. I initially had the Apple silicone case on it, but I really missed seeing the beauty of the phone's design and materials. So for the last two days, I ditched the case and have been carrying my iPhone 7 naked. I am reasonably careful, but I am not babying it by any means. And using this phone naked makes a world of a difference for me. It's so light, sleek, and beautiful. And the matte black finish does not seem to scratch at all. I was seriously considering getting the jet black, but I think I made the right choice.
I completely understand you. I like cases as Spigen, X-Doria,...Some cases I saw cost over 200$, custom, hand made from wood and aluminum but you lose iPhone design than... I spend days searching for case and at the end I installed only glass. For me iPhone is really best without any case, off course only with tempered glass.
I never hold something with him in pocket and he is always turned on screen to the surface and I try to avoid any scratches on glass part of SE. From other side iPhone 7 Jet Black I think is need case.
He looks like sensitive on small scratches.
But keeping without case is risk, if you scratch him or he drop in first 6-8 months that's pure tragedy and agony.
Maybe is best solution naked at home and in first months some nice case as Spigen Case Thin Fit or Case Crystal Shell depend of color of iPhone and taste of customer.
And some case models are better for iPhone SE and for iPhone 7 not so nice and opposite.