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

[Zensō]

I never paid more than 39€ for an Otterbox.

That must have been a while ago? Their most popular model, the Defender Pro, now retails for $69.95 in the US. The Mouse Limitless 6 is $74.99 this year, the UAG Monarch Pro is $99.95. That puts them squarely in the ballpark with the Arc. Case prices from the big companies have skyrocketed in recent years.

 

[FlyingDutch]

That must have been a while ago? Their most popular model, the Defender Pro, now retails for $69.95 in the US. The Mouse Limitless 6 is $74.99 this year, the UAG Monarch Pro is $99.95. That puts them squarely in the ballpark with the Arc. Case prices from the big companies have skyrocketed in recent years.

The last one I bought was the Symmetry for my son’s iPhone 14, on Amazon for 39€. Just a few months ago

 

[Zensō]

The last one I bought was the Symmetry for my son’s iPhone 14, on Amazon for 39€. Just a few months ago

Cases for older models are always much less expensive than for the latest models. The current Symmetry with Camera Control retails for $69.95, though it happens to be on sale right now for $42, which gives you an idea about the margins they’re taking. These plastic cases that cost a few dollars to make seem to me to be the biggest ripoff.

 

[Momof2.1107]

I’ve been alternating between using a case and using a Süti case. Now that I have nicks and scratches on the sides, I don’t mind just covering the back of my 15PM, and using a clear skin for the sides to protect from more nicks and scratches. I still use a screen protector as I hate scratches on the screen.

 

[Zensō]

I’ve been alternating between using a case and using a Süti case. Now that I have nicks and scratches on the sides, I don’t mind just covering the back of my 15PM, and using a clear skin for the sides to protect from more nicks and scratches. I still use a screen protector as I hate scratches on the screen.

I’m curious, were the nicks and scratches on the sides caused by drops, other objects inside a bag, or something else? I’ve been considering going caseless and I’m just wondering what to watch out for. Thanks. 😊

 

[Momof2.1107]

I’m curious, were the nicks and scratches on the sides caused by drops, other objects inside a bag, or something else? I’ve been considering going caseless and I’m just wondering what to watch out for. Thanks. 😊

I never put anything in the same pocket as my iPhone. I also baby it, but I also drop it from time to time. I have vertigo, so I can be clumsy at times, which is why I use a case and protector. I discovered the nicks and scratches while taking the case off to clean, to change, clean it and change the screen protector. It could’ve happened inside the case, it could’ve happened when I didn’t have the case on, when I used the Süti case. It doesn’t bother me anymore, but I know I won’t buy another dark colored iPhone again.

 

[Zensō]

I never put anything in the same pocket as my iPhone. I also baby it, but I also drop it from time to time. I have vertigo, so I can be clumsy at times, which is why I use a case and protector. I discovered the nicks and scratches while taking the case off to clean, to change, clean it and change the screen protector. It could’ve happened inside the case, it could’ve happened when I didn’t have the case on, when I used the Süti case. It doesn’t bother me anymore, but I know I won’t buy another dark colored iPhone again.

Thanks, I appreciate the info.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

…annnd we've had that discussion before about kids and stuff and personal space.

If my kids broke anything, it was their own stuff, not mine or my wife's.

Yeah we have very different parenting styles.

 

[Farrellcollie]

What I wanna know is how so many people gouge or smash their screen and/or drop their phones so often. Like if you work construction and are part of the industrial lubricant team, sure I can understand a wrecked phone, but, ehhhh

My dad and his wife have managed to destroy several - and they are in their late 70s and early 80s - so not out mountain climbing -but a phone and getting in and out of a car has been quite perilous to the phones. They finally have otterbox cases that are bulky and hideous but their phones last more than 6 mos now

 

[Domadia_Jasmine]

I have Apple Care+, using two different clear cases ( Apple & Torras ), Spigen screen protector, after having all this protections, I baby my phone, I have a simple reason, Every year I buy new iPhone & sale my one year old phone in mint condition with excellent price, adding small amount for new phone gives me happiness of latest & greatest phone in my hand, without spending much of $$$

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

What I wanna know is how so many people gouge or smash their screen and/or drop their phones so often. Like if you work construction and are part of the industrial lubricant team, sure I can understand a wrecked phone, but, ehhhh

In the last 18 months I've witnessed 2 incidents in public where people have smashed phones. The first was in London where a lad was sat on a kerb and literally dropped a purple iPhone 14 Pro from no more than 300mm. The backglass was smashed and he was trying to wipe the cracks off in disbelief lol. The other was on holiday at an information screen where a woman just seemed to let the phone slip out of her hand and the screen was smashed. Neither were using cases.

So in summary, its just random accidents in everyday life and this is the reason many decide to put cases on their phones. They are expensive, brittle things and expensive and inconvenient when they break.

 

[m4v3r1ck]

In the last 18 months I've witnessed 2 incidents in public where people have smashed phones. The first was in London where a lad was sat on a kerb and literally dropped a purple iPhone 14 Pro from no more than 300mm. The backglass was smashed and he was trying to wipe the cracks off in disbelief lol. The other was on holiday at an information screen where a woman just seemed to let the phone slip out of her hand and the screen was smashed. Neither were using cases.

So in summary, its just random accidents in everyday life and this is the reason many decide to put cases on their phones. They are expensive, brittle things and expensive and inconvenient when they break.

I rest my case

 

[eyoungren]

In the last 18 months I've witnessed 2 incidents in public where people have smashed phones. The first was in London where a lad was sat on a kerb and literally dropped a purple iPhone 14 Pro from no more than 300mm. The backglass was smashed and he was trying to wipe the cracks off in disbelief lol. The other was on holiday at an information screen where a woman just seemed to let the phone slip out of her hand and the screen was smashed. Neither were using cases.

So in summary, its just random accidents in everyday life and this is the reason many decide to put cases on their phones. They are expensive, brittle things and expensive and inconvenient when they break.

I rest my case

@The-Real-Deal82
Phones are indeed expensive and fragile and people do indeed use cases to protect them. You cite two data points to support this over 18 months.

What about all the rest who did NOT drop their phones (case or not)? What conclusion do those data points represent?

In the last 18 months I have not dropped my expensive fragile phones and I do not use cases. But my phone is expensive and fragile. And I have observed others in the past 18 months who did not drop their expensive and fragile phones. Some had cases, some did not.

So what are we to conclude here?

I have absolutely no idea. I can's say it proves that cases are unnecessary, because for some people they are. Just because I don't drop my phone doesn't mean others won't, nor does it say that my phone is NOT expensive or fragile.

What I really think is that you proved that not paying attention or being careless can result in a drop. Beyond that it's already self-evident that phones are fragile and expensive and will become damaged when dropped. A case can make a difference in this situation, but the real problem was that the drop shouldn't have happened in the first place.

 

[zarmanto]

I’m thinking about going careless just so I can use one of those wireless charging stands.

Unnecessary: there are decent cases which incorporate a metal ring into the back of the case, making them fully compatible with wireless charging stands. I use this one, and it works great.

Also: this thread has been a pretty good conversation, but it is well over a year old and hasn't been particularly active lately... so what on earth happened to spur over a hundred new responses, just since Thursday?? 😮

 

[Zensō]

Also: this thread has been a pretty good conversation, but it is well over a year old and hasn't been particularly active lately... so what on earth happened to spur over a hundred new responses, just since Thursday?? 😮

I believe the mods recently merged this thread with another similar thread which is probably why the sudden surge in activity.

 

[eyoungren]

Also: this thread has been a pretty good conversation, but it is well over a year old and hasn't been particularly active lately... so what on earth happened to spur over a hundred new responses, just since Thursday?? 😮

I believe the mods recently merged this thread with another similar thread which is probably why the sudden surge in activity.

Yep. If you notice the newer posts they all sound as if they are in the middle of a conversation when those posts got merged into here.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

@The-Real-Deal82
Phones are indeed expensive and fragile and people do indeed use cases to protect them. You cite two data points to support this over 18 months.

What about all the rest who did NOT drop their phones (case or not)? What conclusion do those data points represent?

In the last 18 months I have not dropped my expensive fragile phones and I do not use cases. But my phone is expensive and fragile. And I have observed others in the past 18 months who did not drop their expensive and fragile phones. Some had cases, some did not.

So what are we to conclude here?

I have absolutely no idea. I can's say it proves that cases are unnecessary, because for some people they are. Just because I don't drop my phone doesn't mean others won't, nor does it say that my phone is NOT expensive or fragile.

What I really think is that you proved that not paying attention or being careless can result in a drop. Beyond that it's already self-evident that phones are fragile and expensive and will become damaged when dropped. A case can make a difference in this situation, but the real problem was that the drop shouldn't have happened in the first place.

I think it concludes that if you have a case on your phone and have a careless or accidental drop, it’s more like to not experience damage when in a case compared to not being in a case. A bit like if you wear a seat belt and have a frontal collision, you’re more likely not to crush your chest and go through the windscreen than those who don’t wear a seat belt. Of course many will drive around not wearing one and never have an accident and probably swear that a self belt is useless, but one or two data points might prove otherwise.

 

[MarkX]

…annnd we've had that discussion before about kids and stuff and personal space.

If my kids broke anything, it was their own stuff, not mine or my wife's.

I totally agree

 

[CPTmom2wp]

For many years I did use a screen protector and a case. Then started just using a case. Never liked them; Preferred the look of the very classy iPhone which is why they designed it that way; and hated the ugly cases. About 4 years ago, my son convinced me to just use the phone sans case like he does. Apple also upgraded the screens to stronger, more scratch resistant materials. Signed up for the annual upgrade program and have never looked back. Apple Care is included but have never had to use it. I have dropped the phones several times, but no breakage, no dents. Phones are virtually pristine when traded in and never had a problem. I really love just carrying the phone and it really does stay nice looking. If Apple switches back to cheap aluminum with the 17Pro, as rumored, I won't be trading in the phone, as aluminum always ended up dented, even with a case.

 

[CPTmom2wp]

OG SE.

But even if it was newer, not sure how they would survive multiple drops on concrete floors.

I have dropped my phone several times without any visible scratches or breakage. However, it was on hardwood flooring and twice at the fitness center with a rubberized flooring. I don't know if that would be true on concrete. Apple talks about the much stronger screens and, of course, Titanium bodies of the newer phones. If they go to the cheap aluminum for the 17Pros, as rumored, I won't be trading my phone in until they go back to the Titanium. I prefer the heavier, stronger case to having a dented up cheap (which it won't be) looking iPhone.

 

[BigDO]

Recently started using a 15 Pro Max, despite never liking the Max phones. I have a couple of cases (Bullstrap, Apple Silicone, and some others) but finding the phone so nice to use without the case - the rounded edges and lower weight make the Max form factor easier to live with than before.

 

[Hele]

Just no. I’ve dropped and broken my iPhone a couple of times during the course of the last year, and each time it’s like I end up with a new 14 ProMax via AppleCare. Let’s hope 2025 is a good one. Happy New Year, everyone.

 

[NativeMac]

Nomad Rugged Case for the win. Been using them for the last two iPhone gens and can't complain. It does it job well.

 

[Jakimo]

I like zero bulk

However, decided to prevent scuffing this year: Totalee, bulk with MagSafe boost magnets

 

[prospervic]

When at home, I keep my iPhone 15 Pro Max naked.
When going out, put it in a Torras case.