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Why do people have to make a post about something that’s so very obvious. I have absolutely no sympathy for them. Just put a darn case on it, which solves all the issues.
Just having some conversation lighten up take a breath and a sip of coffee
 
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People suddenly trying to nitpick the definition of "durable" now that Apple has released aluminium Pro iPhones are just trying to obfuscate.

And now we're redefining the term "damage"?

Just accept that aluminium is less durable than titanium - it's plain to see. Just admit it, guys. If you want to say that you don't care because you use a case, or you don't care about superficial damage, or that it's worth the tradeoff for thermal performance, no worries. But you don't need to be saying "well it's not damage when the case of the phone starts chipping away".

Some people are surprised and annoyed that these aluminium Pro iPhones are more susceptible to the kind of damage OP showed than the last few years of Pro iPhones. We can't redefine our way of that fact.
You, my friend have some commonsense! Well done
 
Don’t want a scuffed phone? Use a case. It’s not rocket science. And yes, this applies to any iPhone iteration.
That is definitely true.

But should it be? Shouldn't the product that is being designed to be held and used all day every day by human beings actually be designed with that purpose in mind? Should putting a case on these really be necessary? Couldn't Apple, in all its product design wisdom, manage to design something that fares better in a drop than a $15 plastic case from Amazon?

Maybe the material from $15 plastic Amazon cases is a better choice for the outside of an iPhone.
 
Unfortunately my new phone slipped out of my pocket getting out of my car and dented.
I did this exact move a few weeks ago. Had the phone in my pocket while driving and it slipped partway out and ejected from the pocket as I got out. Weirdly, what happened in my case was that it landed face down, and while the screen maybe picked up a tiny scratch or two, somehow the shock was transmitted to be back, which shattered completely.
 
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I did this exact move a few weeks ago. Had the phone in my pocket while driving and it slipped partway out and ejected from the pocket as I got out. Weirdly, what happened in my case was that it landed face down, and while the screen maybe picked up a tiny scratch or two, somehow the shock was transmitted to be back, which shattered completely.
No sh*t huh??? I didn't even think the backs could shatter anymore. I 've shattered a few in my day lol
 
My new 17 Pro took a massive slam on the concrete stairs at work yesterday. (I wasn't paying attention, juggling too many things in my hands trying to get out of the office to pick up my kids.) I have an ESR grippy case and screen protector on it. The screen protector was shattered, like the worst I've seen in a long time on one of my phones. The case itself even took a dent. I was breathless, but when I had a couple minutes I removed the case and the screen protector and the phone was pristine. (I always wonder what happens to the internals on these drops, but I don't think I can know.) I have AppleCare+ just in case (for when I'm an idiot like this), but I was super impressed with how tough the [phone+case+screen protector] combo was.

Sorry about your phone, OP!
 
I did this exact move a few weeks ago. Had the phone in my pocket while driving and it slipped partway out and ejected from the pocket as I got out. Weirdly, what happened in my case was that it landed face down, and while the screen maybe picked up a tiny scratch or two, somehow the shock was transmitted to be back, which shattered completely.
Do you have a 17 (Pro)? I ask because you said "a few weeks ago", which might mean before they were released. My wife's 15 Pro back glass is so fragile. I think it has broken two times in 2 years, and she keeps an Otterbox on it. I'm really glad Apple improved the front and back glass on the Pros this year.
 
These beautiful iPhones arent meant to be in a case IMO.
I feel the same way and would like to carry my devices without a case. But also don't want to risk breaking it if I have an accident. So I do the next best thing and buy clear cases. I usually buy them from Apple, but this time I bought one from Spigen. Apple's clear cases weren't really clear for the Pro this year.
 
I too had an issue with my Pro Max in orange on day 1. I had my 2 hour old 17PM in Apple's Techwoven case. The phone slipped off the table in my backyard and hit the paver and somehow scratched and dented the side frame and case as the phone was somehow jarred outside of the case with a less than 3 ft drop. Was a real bummer after only having the phone for 2 hrs. Also, I dropped my 16PM many times and never got a scratch on it. Maybe I was lucky or maybe the aluminum just isn't as resilient to drops.
 
Honestly, I’m baffled that some folks manage to scuff up their pricey iPhones within just a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, my 2015 6S and 2016 OGSE are still in flawless shape; no dents, no scratches, nothing. Aluminium’s always held up well for me; never had a single issue with it.
 
Should putting a case on these really be necessary?
Depends whether one is concerned about the item remaining functional or cosmetically flawless. Good luck with any material if you want the latter and intend dropping it onto concrete.
Maybe the material from $15 plastic Amazon cases is a better choice for the outside of an iPhone.
Ever have a pre-smartphone? They were plastic, they cracked, scratched or chipped if you dropped them and they didn't even have a 6.3" glass screen on the front.
 
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I feel the same way and would like to carry my devices without a case. But also don't want to risk breaking it if I have an accident. So I do the next best thing and buy clear cases. I usually buy them from Apple, but this time I bought one from Spigen. Apple's clear cases weren't really clear for the Pro this year.
I picked up a few cases. Black (TW), Clear (Torras Q3 Spin), and White (MOFT).

They’re all great, and specifically the Torras. Shows the whole phone. The MagSafe Ring is embedded in the built in stand that sits flush when closed. Not really grippy, but looks fantastic. All that glorious cosmic orange!
 
Honestly, I’m baffled that some folks manage to scuff up their pricey iPhones within just a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, my 2015 6S and 2016 OGSE are still in flawless shape; no dents, no scratches, nothing. Aluminium’s always held up well for me; never had a single issue with it.
You are my hero
 
Ultimately, this comes down to user error. Aluminium itself isn’t the issue, it’s a perfectly sound material.

Since the OP doesn’t seem concerned about surface-level scuffs, the updated design of the 17 Pro might actually suit him well. Drop tests consistently show it’s significantly more resilient to serious damage compared to the 16 Pro.
 
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Ultimately, this comes down to user error. Aluminium itself isn’t the issue, it’s a perfectly sound material.

Since the OP doesn’t seem concerned about surface-level scuffs, the updated design of the 17 Pro might actually suit him well. Drop tests consistently show it’s significantly more resilient to serious damage compared to the 16 Pro.
Not sure I agree with your statement about significantly more resilient to serious damage but I do agree I’m not too concerned.
 
I used to use invisible shield, and then best skins ever for protective clear films in place of a case. Neither still exists or makes the product,‘though, AFAIK.
that made sense when phones were tiny and light like the original through the 5. once the heavy ass 6 and subsequent came out invisible shield wouldn't help much. I put a thin case on my first 6 and it slipped off a machine at the gym and shattered real quick from dented aluminum
 
Do you have a 17 (Pro)? I ask because you said "a few weeks ago", which might mean before they were released. My wife's 15 Pro back glass is so fragile. I think it has broken two times in 2 years, and she keeps an Otterbox on it. I'm really glad Apple improved the front and back glass on the Pros this year.
Mine is a 15 Pro. I was using no case 🙊
 
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