Other Do you use a case on your iPhone? [MERGED]

[subjonas]

This always strikes me as odd…

The phone is cased so a 'pristine' phone is sold or handed down. So it can be cased again.

At the end, you have a pristine phone that is ready to be recycled.

It's like Schrödinger's cat…no one know what's inside the case until the case is removed when the phone gets recycled - and it's pristine at that point. The recycling machine then rips that pristine phone apart in moments.

Aside from protecting any internal damage, who benefits here?

Yeah the idea of it being encased 100% of its life because of its beauty until it’s ready for recycling is chock full of irony 😆.

There could be good reason for it of course—ergonomics, etc. There could be also be silly reason for it—ie. over-preciousness—especially for whoever owned it right before recycling haha.

I don’t think it’s surprising that there is some confusion about when/why/should we or others use cases. When looking at human history, I think the modern high end mobile phone is a pretty new unique situation we’re faced with. When else has almost every human in society carried with them at all times a product of such high mobility, high utility/necessity, high value (fiscal and aesthetic and social), high fragility, and low ergonomics? Like, why would anyone design such a perfect storm and why would anyone pay them to? Doesn’t make a lot of practical sense, but here we are.

I think the confusion comes not just because it’s a new situation, but also because most of these aspects differ from person to person.
Some people don’t see the phone as that mobile (people who leave it at home or in the car). Or necessary (people who depend more on their other devices). Or that fiscally or aesthetically or socially valuable (people with more disposable income or who don’t care about the beauty/prestige of their phone). Or that un-ergonomic (people who are more coordinated or careful/aware or people whose lifestyle doesn’t require the phone to be ergonomic). Or that fragile (people who have a safe lifestyle that doesn’t often put the phone in physical danger or who don’t consider a scratch as real damage).
So it’s a non-obvious equation with many variables that we haven’t really ever had to think about until relatively recently in our culture, and now everyone has to think about it, or at least make a decision. So I understand these questions and these threads pop up.

I will say, for me, the equation was much easier when phones were smaller and more ergonomic. No case for sure. But now with bigger phones it’s not so cut and dry.

 

[subjonas]

If the phone is being sold at the end of its initial use, it fetches considerably more if it’s not scratched or cracked. The original owner wins.

Yes, but I’d add that it depends how long before you sell, and what kind of damage. If you plan to keep the phone 3 or 4 years before selling, a few scratches on the body probably won’t make a significant difference.

 

[subjonas]

There’s nothing not to get about the vast majority of iPhone users that choose to put cases on their phones.

I agree everyone has their reasons, but there’s plenty not to get. No one understands everyone’s reasons. And it’s fine to ask.

 

[Carlsberg69]

When else has almost every human in society carried with them at all times a product of such high mobility, high utility/necessity, high value (fiscal and aesthetic and social), high fragility, and low ergonomics?

High tech things are definitely new in human culture and brings new everything. But watches comes in mind as a comparison on most of those points.

 

[subjonas]

High tech things are definitely new in human culture and brings new everything. But watches comes in mind as a comparison on most of those points.

Maybe half? Not quite comparable in utility, ergonomics, and I imagine most people have spent significantly more on a phone than a watch (well I suppose now smart watches are bringing the watch back, but not to the level of phones yet). I think a car is closer as it hits all points except mobility and ergonomics.
But I do mean the combination of all those points is the reason for perfect storm and the novel situation leading to the question of cases.

 

[bookcase]

Like my iPad mini, I've been leaving off the case at home -- and now that I work remotely, that's much of the time -- but slapping on the case when I go out. Just as a precaution. I plan to do the same with my phone.

 

[eyoungren]

High tech things are definitely new in human culture and brings new everything. But watches comes in mind as a comparison on most of those points.

I think, if you're talking the kind of watches before mobile phones themselves became a thing then perhaps. But a watch serves one singular purpose and that is to tell you the time. Like anything, pay more and you got a watch that could act as a stopwatch, a flight computer, etc. Brands lived and died on how accurate or comfortable (or flashy) they were. But ultimately, it was down to just one basic concept.

Mobile phones didn't explode into popularity until the smartphone. And the smartphone meant that a phone, which was limited, could do so much more. Modern digital watches are the same, although I'm not sure yet that they have the same durability as older watches. Although there were some garbage watches made over the years.

 

[Carlsberg69]

Maybe half? Not quite comparable in utility, ergonomics, and I imagine most people have spent significantly more on a phone than a watch (well I suppose now smart watches are bringing the watch back, but not to the level of phones yet). I think a car is closer as it hits all points except mobility and ergonomics.
But I do mean the combination of all those points is the reason for perfect storm and the novel situation leading to the question of cases.

I think, if you're talking the kind of watches before mobile phones themselves became a thing then perhaps. But a watch serves one singular purpose and that is to tell you the time. Like anything, pay more and you got a watch that could act as a stopwatch, a flight computer, etc. Brands lived and died on how accurate or comfortable (or flashy) they were. But ultimately, it was down to just one basic concept.

Mobile phones didn't explode into popularity until the smartphone. And the smartphone meant that a phone, which was limited, could do so much more. Modern digital watches are the same, although I'm not sure yet that they have the same durability as older watches. Although there were some garbage watches made over the years.

Very good points from both of you! With the risk of going off pist here from original subject but will get back to it in the end of this post if you bare with me:

I was more thinking of the humans relaying on “high tech” in their everyday life’s and function, and watches have been doing that for a long time now. Sure, smartphones are at a new unprecedented level, but back in the day a watch was a relatively quite expensive item that many just had to have due to job and personal life’s, like catching a train on right time. Before smartphones practically “everybody” had a “dumb phone” (Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, etc) at least in like the western world, they where not as pricy as today’s smartphones granted but the sims where… Anyway, before smartphones of today it was not that common to have tech things in cases, like the watches that could be quite an investment and important. You just had to be careful and take care of them. To have cases on the smartphones nowadays have been made to be a whole new market and business in it’s self, and I bet e.g Apple and others considers this when designing the smartphones as to make extra money. Like, it’s good for them to have a design that kind of makes people want cases. Just sayin’

 

[krspkbl]

Always. I'd love to use it "naked" but my case has saved my phone more than a few times. You just never know when you'll accidentally drop it. I dropped mine this morning getting out the car. Plus, I like to sell my phone on when I'm done with it so it's good to keep it in top condition. My 12 Pro Max only has some minor blemishes around the stainless steel and faint scratches around the lightning port. It almost looks as good as the day I bought it.

 

[Katvonc]

And a

Do you use a case on your iPhone?

screen protector

 

[AVBeatMan]

Cases without the button don’t work with the action button.

 

[eyoungren]

Always. I'd love to use it "naked" but my case has saved my phone more than a few times. You just never know when you'll accidentally drop it. I dropped mine this morning getting out the car. Plus, I like to sell my phone on when I'm done with it so it's good to keep it in top condition. My 12 Pro Max only has some minor blemishes around the stainless steel and faint scratches around the lightning port. It almost looks as good as the day I bought it.

I think by now us non-case users are in agreement that a case will protect a phone for resale value. It's just that we (non-case users) have other reasons not to use a case and for some of us (myself included) resale value doesn't mean anything. Some of us non-case users keep our phones. I have every smartphone I've used since 2009 sitting on my desk right now.

No, I think what our side (the non-case users side) is trying to say (and have said) is that not using a case does not automatically mean you will drop your phone. And that even if you do, it won't necessarily result in damage sufficient to affect resale value (if that's something we're about).

Case or no, some people are clumsy, inattentive or just don't care. I'm clumsy, but I don't use cases because I forced myself to learn a few tricks to protect my phone. It's not a panacea of course, but since 2009 I've only damaged two phones sufficiently to require repair or replacement.

I have a 6 Plus and an 11 Pro Max (my primary phone) that are in like-new condition. Neither have ever been in a case.

 

[eyoungren]

Very good points from both of you! With the risk of going off pist here from original subject but will get back to it in the end of this post if you bare with me:

I was more thinking of the humans relaying on “high tech” in their everyday life’s and function, and watches have been doing that for a long time now. Sure, smartphones are at a new unprecedented level, but back in the day a watch was a relatively quite expensive item that many just had to have due to job and personal life’s, like catching a train on right time. Before smartphones practically “everybody” had a “dumb phone” (Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, etc) at least in like the western world, they where not as pricy as today’s smartphones granted but the sims where… Anyway, before smartphones of today it was not that common to have tech things in cases, like the watches that could be quite an investment and important. You just had to be careful and take care of them. To have cases on the smartphones nowadays have been made to be a whole new market and business in it’s self, and I bet e.g Apple and others considers this when designing the smartphones as to make extra money. Like, it’s good for them to have a design that kind of makes people want cases. Just sayin’

I'm trying to remember, before 1999, what I might ever have had in a case. 1999 was when I first got a phone. I don't believe I ever did have anything in a case although I do recall using stuff others had in cases, like transistor radios and such.

As an 11 year old kid I helped my uncle wash his car. Killed my watch

And in the late 80s I had two Swatches, one of them the popular see-through one. I do clearly remember using those plastic cages around the watch to protect the face of it though. That's about all I can recall.

In my early 20s I did kill a CD player by dropping a Batlight right on top of it. Maybe the CD player needed a case…

 

[dannyyankou]

I think I’m going to return my clear case. Sure it gives peace of mind, but so does AppleCare. And I just took off the case and now I’m really appreciating the design and slim bezels.

 

[subjonas]

Anyway, before smartphones of today it was not that common to have tech things in cases, like the watches that could be quite an investment and important. You just had to be careful and take care of them. To have cases on the smartphones nowadays have been made to be a whole new market and business in it’s self, and I bet e.g Apple and others considers this when designing the smartphones as to make extra money. Like, it’s good for them to have a design that kind of makes people want cases. Just sayin’

Yup I agree it’s a new thing! At least to this scale.

As far as companies designing phones that way to make money on cases, I definitely think they’re enjoying the financial benefits, but I also think a lot of customers want it that way, otherwise they wouldn’t be buying these phones (and cases) so *happily. I guess it’s a chicken and egg scenario.
Like, if Apple or Samsung for example made a phone made of a durable and more grippy material, what would that material be and would it be as popular? People might not desire it as much because it’s not as smooth and shiny. I honestly don’t know. Maybe as long as the material still made the phone seem “luxurious” or “premium”, it could be pulled off. I guess leather is out for Apple though haha.

*I do think there is some internal conflict in many customers. They overall love these phones, even with cases, but part of them wish a case wasn’t necessary.

 

[eyoungren]

*I do think there is some internal conflict in many customers. They overall love these phones, even with cases, but part of them wish a case wasn’t necessary.

Here is what I think is interesting. I agree with your statement. So the majority of customers use cases because the financial cost of not having used one and the phone being damaged is a concern (for any reason).

Apple has stated in the past that they are aggressively trying to make the wealthy a bigger part of their customer base. Aside from a specific mentality of the rich (think Warren Buffet), does anyone here think that wealthy people (particularly the one percent) actually gives a damn about damaging their phone? I sure don't. Replacing it or simply buying another one isn't a problem for them. I doubt they even think about it.

I do think that displaying the phone without a case is a status factor here and for many of the wealthy, status (or the perception of status) is important.

So, it's only those who aren't wealthy that are worrying about cases. And if the wealthy aren't concerned about cases, why should Apple be worried about designing a durable phone?

Now, this is just my thinking. There's always someone who doesn't fit the mold. But my answer to you is that Apple isn't designing durable phones because we are not their target customer.

 

[Carlsberg69]

*I do think there is some internal conflict in many customers. They overall love these phones, even with cases, but part of them wish a case wasn’t necessary.

It’s like a dark force isn’t it, lol, but yes there is something in it! Mostly going w/o a case myself but case it if it’s higher risk so to say. Actually had the orange apple leather case on for some weeks because it looked and felt kind of nice, but got over it and missed the feeling of the pure iPhone tech in the hand.

I do think that displaying the phone without a case is a status factor here and for many of the wealthy, status (or the perception of status) is important.

I see a lot of “posh” people (or wish they were) using and flashing their phones in all sorts of fancy cases, the more they have and cost the better! Seeing Prada and Gucci cases amongst even more blingy blingy ones… Going bare is more of a personal thing I think, could even be a statement for some, but not sure it’s a status thing in general, but yeah can be in some groups. I just like having the iPhone as is in my hands, and whatever I’ve tried I always get back to that.

 

[subjonas]

Here is what I think is interesting. I agree with your statement. So the majority of customers use cases because the financial cost of not having used one and the phone being damaged is a concern (for any reason).

Apple has stated in the past that they are aggressively trying to make the wealthy a bigger part of their customer base. Aside from a specific mentality of the rich (think Warren Buffet), does anyone here think that wealthy people (particularly the one percent) actually gives a damn about damaging their phone? I sure don't. Replacing it or simply buying another one isn't a problem for them. I doubt they even think about it.

I do think that displaying the phone without a case is a status factor here and for many of the wealthy, status (or the perception of status) is important.

So, it's only those who aren't wealthy that are worrying about cases. And if the wealthy aren't concerned about cases, why should Apple be worried about designing a durable phone?

Now, this is just my thinking. There's always someone who doesn't fit the mold. But my answer to you is that Apple isn't designing durable phones because we are not their target customer.

I’m sure Apple targets the wealthy but I don’t think they would make enough revenue if they didn’t also target the middle class (and maybe a little lower?). Unless you mean they are indirectly targeting the middle class by targeting the wealthy, because people want to feel or have the appearance of being wealthy. I’m sure that’s happening to some extent.

That would fall in line with what I mean—I don’t know if the average person wants a durable/ergonomic phone now. Not if it sacrifices the feeling of luxury (even though they cover it up with a case). Even if Apple mainly targeted middle class, the phone might still look the same at this point because people have already tasted “premium”-feeling phones.

It would be interesting if the same level of premium feel could be achieved in a durable/ergonomic phone, what would happen then? Would Apple withhold it to sell cases? Would the rich even want it? Would the middle class even want it? Is it even possible? I wonder if any android phones have tried it. Or maybe luxury by very definition is not durable/ergonomic—ie. having something expensive and easily damageable is a sign of wealth. Hahah

 

[eyoungren]

I see a lot of “posh” people (or wish they were) using and flashing their phones in all sorts of fancy cases, the more they have and cost the better! Seeing Prada and Gucci cases amongst even more blingy blingy ones… Going bare is more of a personal thing I think, could even be a statement for some, but not sure it’s a status thing in general, but yeah can be in some groups. I just like having the iPhone as is in my hands, and whatever I’ve tried I always get back to that.

Just so we are on the same page about this…I'm using the term wealthy/rich narrowly. Those who are comfortable enough that whether they have to work or not has no impact on their financial health - yet not rich enough to call themselves oligarchs.

I bring up the distinction because I suspect those you mention still have to show up for some sort of job each day - even if it is CEO or CFO. And in the scenario you mention I think it might be a matter of 'See how much money we can spend on stuff?'

Originally I was meaning oligarchs, but if money isn't even a thought in your head, there are other things besides what phone you use that matter I guess.

 

[Carlsberg69]

Just so we are on the same page about this…I'm using the term wealthy/rich narrowly. Those who are comfortable enough that whether they have to work or not has no impact on their financial health - yet not rich enough to call themselves oligarchs.

I bring up the distinction because I suspect those you mention still have to show up for some sort of job each day - even if it is CEO or CFO. And in the scenario you mention I think it might be a matter of 'See how much money we can spend on stuff?'

Originally I was meaning oligarchs, but if money isn't even a thought in your head, there are other things besides what phone you use that matter I guess.

Yep got you! And think you’re right, the oligarchs, and the likes of them, probably don’t care so much of their phones except they just fork out to have the “best” and expect it to just work. Some of them probably buy those 24K Caviar ones…

 

[dannyyankou]

I haven’t even had my phone for 8 hours and I already dropped it pretty harshly on tile just now lol, no case. It didn’t leave a single mark.

 

[moyjoy]

No case for me. The one time I did use a case (because I wanted to add sparkle!) my screen completely shattered when I dropped my phone. That's the only break I've had in a long history of no-caseness. And I'm not precious. I drop it on all the time. Last night riiiiight before bed I dropped my 14 pro in dramatic fashion. The same phone I was supposed to be trading in first thing this morning. I held my breath and picked it up cautiously but it was just fine lol. No problems with previous sales and trade-ins either. As long as I'm kid free I'll be case free lol.

 

[Yester5]

My 15 ProMax arrived today and my MagBak case and screen protector was waiting. As soon as I peeled the iPhone screen paper off, on went the screen protector. No dust or dirt to deal with. The case went on too, all before my new phone was even turned on. I have really bad nerve damage in my hands and the MagBak case with wallet has a convenient finger loop that keeps me from dropping the phone and the included magnets are terrific for car/workshop/kitchen mounts 😁

 

[Aves]

I'm using the woven one right now, it's fine.
we'll see how it ages over time.

 

[ozapple]

I'm using the woven one right now, it's fine.
we'll see how it ages over time.

I just returned the FineWoven case after 1 day.

I couldn’t deal with the sharp edges around the charging port digging into my pinky, and it’s not worth $99AUD.

The material is terrible (in my opinion) and it doesn’t stack up to the leather it replaced at the same price point.

I’m going naked for the first time ever.