Other Obsessiveness over protection and flawless condition

[Sami13496]

Reading this forum it seems many of us are really careful with our (new) iPhones.

Some of us buy Pro partly because of the looks but then we slap a case on it and hide all the beauty to protect it.

Some of us go naked but then we stress it and get upset if there is even a small scratch on it.

My question is - is this normal? When did phones become these jewelry like items that we handle with kid gloves?

 

[antiprotest]

Reading this forum it seems many of us are really careful with our (new) iPhones.

Some of us buy Pro partly because of the looks but then we slap a case on it and hide all the beauty to protect it.

Some of us go naked but then we stress it and get upset if there is even a small scratch on it.

My question is - is this normal? When did phones become these jewelry like items that we handle with kid gloves?

When it became way over $1000.

 

[Andeddu]

I personally like my phones to look good so I use a stylish case to maintain the attractive appearance. In a perfect world we wouldn’t have to use cases however a single drop can scuff or dent a phone causing cosmetic damage which is an eyesore.

Those that don’t use cases shouldn’t be bothered by cosmetic damage as it’s almost inevitable unless you treat the device with kid gloves, not let anyone else touch it and are always aware of your surroundings 100% of the time. I can’t be bothered with that nonsense but I do care about the condition of my device so I just slap on a case and forget about it.

 

[Splitrail]

Reading this forum it seems many of us are really careful with our (new) iPhones.

Some of us buy Pro partly because of the looks but then we slap a case on it and hide all the beauty to protect it.

Some of us go naked but then we stress it and get upset if there is even a small scratch on it.

My question is - is this normal? When did phones become these jewelry like items that we handle with kid gloves?

I suspect that people that are fastidious about their phones are also fastidious about their motorcycles, cars, electronics, camera equipment, guns.................
Investment involved, pride of ownership, desire to keep it unbroken and functional, resale value...............

 

[fs454]

I don't understand it honestly. People say it's so expensive, but is it really? For this miniaturized supercomputer that does anything and everything that's with you all day, can connect you with anyone and anything from anywhere, that's a fully featured camera beating out dedicated cameras costing the same, that you look at a hundred and fifty times a day? We used to spend $1000 on a desktop computer that did a fraction of that and wasn't portable.

$1000 plus some AppleCare coverage is hardly a reason to cover a device up in some cheap protector. You're not carrying the Declaration of Independence, it's a tool designed to be used. I'll pay $29 to get my screen fixed if I mess up badly enough to crack it, but in owning nearly every iPhone across the 15 years they've existed I've probably cracked 3, maybe 4 displays and I'm not gentle with my gear. No case or screen protector on any of my devices to date.

And seriously, use the device for you and stop worrying about some person who will buy it from you in 2 years. Heck even the iPhone Upgrade Program doesn't care about wear and tear from caseless use. They'll take a phone back for trade in with scuffs and scratches as long as it is not cracked.

 

[Splitrail]

I was somewhat obsessive about what color phone to choose.
Now that I have it in a case I realize that the color doesn't mean that much.
I'd very much like to see the color of my phone, but the only two options there are to go caseless or get a clear case.
I don't like clear cases because they either discolor or scuff & scratch all too easily or both (unsightly either way).
LOL, the only time I see the actual color is when I take the phone out of the case for cleaning. 🤔

 

[Andeddu]

I don't understand it honestly. People say it's so expensive, but is it really? For this miniaturized supercomputer that does anything and everything that's with you all day, can connect you with anyone and anything from anywhere, that's a fully featured camera beating out dedicated cameras costing the same, that you look at a hundred and fifty times a day? We used to spend $1000 on a desktop computer that did a fraction of that and wasn't portable.

$1000 plus some AppleCare coverage is hardly a reason to cover a device up in some cheap protector. You're not carrying the Declaration of Independence, it's a tool designed to be used. I'll pay $29 to get my screen fixed if I mess up badly enough to crack it, but in owning nearly every iPhone across the 15 years they've existed I've probably cracked 3, maybe 4 displays and I'm not gentle with my gear. No case or screen protector on any of my devices to date.

And seriously, use the device for you and stop worrying about some person who will buy it from you in 2 years. Heck even the iPhone Upgrade Program doesn't care about wear and tear from caseless use. They'll take a phone back for trade in with scuffs and scratches as long as it is not cracked.

Yeah, you don’t care about scuffs or scratches, dinks or chips so you are perfectly comfortable using a naked phone. I do care about all of that and dislike seeing damage so I use a stylish case to ensure no cosmetic damage occurs AND I also mitigate any chance of serious damage occurring such as cracks to the screen or glass back. I also save money by not having AppleCare+ as I have never caused a single scratch on any device since using cases and I have dropped my phones many times.

 

[davedvdy]

I think it's normal to protect your investment. I personally hate scratches or dents, but if it happens I at least know I gave it my best effort to avoid it by using a screen protector and a case.

 

[Charadis]

Since launch, just screen and lens protectors. I don’t worry, do you?

 

[Splitrail]

Since launch, just screen and lens protectors. I don’t worry, do you?

How do you get that calendar on your lock screen?
Is it an app?

 

[robbietop]

Some people were raised without a stainless steel fridge, or an iPod, so when they see a scratch on their $1000 phone, they get upset because they don't understand that breathing on Stainless Steel will scratch it.

 

[Unami]

My question is - is this normal? When did phones become these jewelry like items that we handle with kid gloves?

Probably the moment they approached jewelry prices.

 

[Unami]

How do you get that calendar on your lock screen?
Is it an app?

New lock screen widgets in iOS16.

 

[Andeddu]

How do you get that calendar on your lock screen?
Is it an app?

No. You can customise your Lock Screen on iOS 16. I have the weather along with the top news story.

 

[WoodTableFromIkea]

Reading this forum it seems many of us are really careful with our (new) iPhones.

Some of us buy Pro partly because of the looks but then we slap a case on it and hide all the beauty to protect it.

Some of us go naked but then we stress it and get upset if there is even a small scratch on it.

My question is - is this normal? When did phones become these jewelry like items that we handle with kid gloves?

Nah, it's not normal.

People just make this forum like their own personal daily blog.

 

[Ethosik]

I have only had a case on my phone for about a week. Just treat things right and it is fine. All my phones look like they are new.

 

[theotherphil]

I work in a critical industry where dropping and damaging my phone can literally cost lives. A quad lock case solves that problem.

 

[Ryan1524]

When iPhone resale is a thing people want to preserve for.

 

[MisterSavage]

I think it's normal to protect your investment. I personally hate scratches or dents, but if it happens I at least know I gave it my best effort to avoid it by using a screen protector and a case.

Same for me. I feel that with a case I have a better grip on the phone also. I could easily afford to replace/repair my phone but why deal with that hassle when a case might prevent it from happening?

 

[fatTribble]

I treat my iPhone the way I treat everything. I try to take care of my things. I park in the far, open areas of parking lots to avoid door dings. I avoid puddles when wearing new shoes or just wear old ones on rainy days. I flat dry my clothes. I just don’t like the idea of my things being damaged because I didn’t take precautions. No judgement whatsoever to anyone else.

 

[ccraig13]

I don't understand it honestly. People say it's so expensive, but is it really? For this miniaturized supercomputer that does anything and everything that's with you all day, can connect you with anyone and anything from anywhere, that's a fully featured camera beating out dedicated cameras costing the same, that you look at a hundred and fifty times a day? We used to spend $1000 on a desktop computer that did a fraction of that and wasn't portable.

$1000 plus some AppleCare coverage is hardly a reason to cover a device up in some cheap protector. You're not carrying the Declaration of Independence, it's a tool designed to be used. I'll pay $29 to get my screen fixed if I mess up badly enough to crack it, but in owning nearly every iPhone across the 15 years they've existed I've probably cracked 3, maybe 4 displays and I'm not gentle with my gear. No case or screen protector on any of my devices to date.

And seriously, use the device for you and stop worrying about some person who will buy it from you in 2 years. Heck even the iPhone Upgrade Program doesn't care about wear and tear from caseless use. They'll take a phone back for trade in with scuffs and scratches as long as it is not cracked.

Seems you're conflating "value" with not wanting to have to buy a new phone just cause you had "butter fingers".

Yes, it's a great value, but $1,000 is a lot of money for most people. People save up a long time to be able to afford one (whether that's a good fiscal decision is another matter), so yeah, they're gonna wanna protect their investment.

 

[davedvdy]

Same for me. I feel that with a case I have a better grip on the phone also. I could easily afford to replace/repair my phone but why deal with that hassle when a case might prevent it from happening?

Exactly. Why invite the extra drama or financial headache? lol.

 

[Jackbequickly]

Reading this forum it seems many of us are really careful with our (new) iPhones.

Some of us buy Pro partly because of the looks but then we slap a case on it and hide all the beauty to protect it.

Some of us go naked but then we stress it and get upset if there is even a small scratch on it.

My question is - is this normal? When did phones become these jewelry like items that we handle with kid gloves?

I slapped my 14PM is a very thin case just so it was no longer so slippery, no screen protector and that is the way it will be until the Ultra arrives next year.

 

[fs454]

Seems you're conflating "value" with not wanting to have to buy a new phone just cause you had "butter fingers".

Yes, it's a great value, but $1,000 is a lot of money for most people. People save up a long time to be able to afford one (whether that's a good fiscal decision is another matter), so yeah, they're gonna wanna protect their investment.

I guess I just don't see too much of a difference in being able to afford a $1000 phone and being able to afford a $1000 phone with a $199 AppleCare plan that affords you the peace of mind for likely the entire duration you have your device. $29 screen repair, $99 entire device replacement for other issues. I'd rather have invisible protection by paying a little more vs having a big plastic diaper over the whole thing with a bunch of dead skin cells and grime collecting in the seams.

It's not for everyone, I guess. But the value proposition of having that ~$1199 all-in device that is protected for years to come in the rare event you end up destroying it is awesome, vs having one in a case that if dropped at the right angle will still break and cause a $649+ repair bill.


My 13 Pro has fallen out of my lifted Jeep on the side of double black diamond trails in the middle of the wilderness directly onto rocks, multiple times. Gotten soaked, or covered in mud and washed off. Fallen out of my pocket. It never broke and just had a few scratches and marks after a year of use. I now have a 14 Pro and so far it's been as solid as the last.

 

[xxray]

It works well and looks pretty. Why would I risk scratches, cracks, and other damage that will distract me from enjoying my device or even make it less functional? The nicer I keep it, the higher the chance it will work well for years to come. Also, it’s less maintenance than if I were to try to be cautious all the time if it didn’t have a case on.

I use my device naked when I’m around soft surfaces, but I always use a case when I’m on the go. I will always swear by a screen protector though. It doesn’t change the appearance of the device, and if it ever gets cracked, scratched, or the fingerprint resistant coating rubs off, you can just replace it with a new one. If you use the actual glass/screen without a protector, you’re stuck with it once it gets scratched, cracked, or oily unless you spend hundreds of dollars to have it replaced plus the time it takes to get it replaced, instead of just spending $10 for a 3-pack of screen protectors.