Are you not concerned with scratching the camera if lying on its back with the lens jetting out? I've been using mine without a case intermittently and for me its just odd since it is not flush with the rest of the phone without a case. Silly question I know- I rarely drop my phone I basically just use the case to even out the back for when I lay it down and also to provide a minimal lip for when I lay it face down
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Other For those who don't use a case
- Thread starter Casey05
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This is something I used to be concerned about myself too. I’ve had my 6s for 3 years without a case and over time I let go of the paranoia of placing it lightly or not directly on tables. It’s absolutely fine. There are a couple of very fine hairline marks visible in the sun but they don’t affect the photos at all.
Having said that, it doesn’t stick out all that much compared to the newer models and when I get my Xs I will get an official Apple case for the first time ever. Even so, the main reason is that I’m about to go backpacking for 4 months and just want that extra protection, I’ll probably lose the case after the trip.
Having said that, it doesn’t stick out all that much compared to the newer models and when I get my Xs I will get an official Apple case for the first time ever. Even so, the main reason is that I’m about to go backpacking for 4 months and just want that extra protection, I’ll probably lose the case after the trip.
I've had only a Dbrand skin on my Oneplus 3 for a few years and despite having a protruding camera it doesn't have a single scratch on it. I plan to just use a skin on my upcoming iPhone XS to add some grip because I hate the added weight and bulk from cases.
I just wish I didn't even need a skin but they just keep making phones that are slippery as soap!
I just wish I didn't even need a skin but they just keep making phones that are slippery as soap!
Buys a €1000 phone, puts it in a €2 case. lel! 
These phones are beautifully designes to be enjoyed.
These phones are beautifully designes to be enjoyed.
Last edited by a moderator:
I have used iPhone X since last December without any case whatsoever. The screen and the stainless steel frame have some hairline scratches, but the camera area is pristine. The sapphire glass is doing its job well. Putting a "protector" on that area is about the dumbest thing you can do, IMO. My 24-month old Apple Watch Series 2's sapphire glass watch face has virtually no scratches, either, and that was worn 22 hours every day.
X is not the first iPhone I used without cases. I've done the same with 6+, 6S+, and 7+. Same results in regards to the camera. The "bump" actually lets most of the camera area sit away from the surface, as opposed to the flush design, which may have helped avoid scratches. But I think it's mostly about the sapphire glass.
X is not the first iPhone I used without cases. I've done the same with 6+, 6S+, and 7+. Same results in regards to the camera. The "bump" actually lets most of the camera area sit away from the surface, as opposed to the flush design, which may have helped avoid scratches. But I think it's mostly about the sapphire glass.
Why would I worry about that?
At work, my phone sits in a business card holder all day.
At home my phone sits in a business card holder or on the couch or on a mat or in a business card holder depending on where I am.
In my car my phone sits in a designated spot.
When I am between places my phone is in a dedicated pants pocket.
When I go out or in any place these things are not available I place something under my phone before putting it down or I make sure the surface is clean.
So, again, why should I worry?
Nope. The camera lens is far more scratch resistant than the front and rear glass. Check out some scratch tests on YouTube.
I’m in the Apple upgrade program. Does anyone know what kind of condition it has to be in for trading in every year or does it just have to be functional?
My phone is without a scratch as of now. Just loooking at the future going forward if I decide not to use a case
Have been very curious of this as well. I would love to go ‘naked’ as grip of 8+ glass is good. My main concern was scratching the lens glass.
If you think about it, it would be horrible design to have such great hardware and assume it would be covered.
One thing, My understanding is that mable can scratch most things. I don’t want to ‘test’ this on our counters. I guess I could just make sure it is on something and not directly on the marble.
[doublepost=1537194176][/doublepost]I have asked a few people who don’t use cases if their camera got scratched. None so far. I haven’t asked that many.
If you think about it, it would be horrible design to have such great hardware and assume it would be covered.
One thing, My understanding is that mable can scratch most things. I don’t want to ‘test’ this on our counters. I guess I could just make sure it is on something and not directly on the marble.
[doublepost=1537194176][/doublepost]I have asked a few people who don’t use cases if their camera got scratched. None so far. I haven’t asked that many.
This.
I never use a case, and when they first made the camera protrude, I was kind of worried, but I got over it quickly. I put it down on all kinds of surfaces, and have never scratched the camera bump. Or anything else.
I’d be more worried about random bits of sand in my pocket, TBH. That’s more likely to scratch the phone than anything else, and it hasn’t, despite the fact that I live five blocks from the ocean.
That one time you drop it is the one time you break it.
I have an 8+ and every so often I'm sat on my sofa and I remove the case and it still astonishes me just how God damn sexy the phone feels in its birthday suit. I just don't trust myself if not sat on the sofa.
I have an 8+ and every so often I'm sat on my sofa and I remove the case and it still astonishes me just how God damn sexy the phone feels in its birthday suit. I just don't trust myself if not sat on the sofa.
Not true. Unless you mean YOU
I've dropped phones before and I got my first smartphone in 2009. One time I dropped it (non-iPhone) from chest height to a concrete sidewalk face down. Bending to pick it up, my right foot kicked it and sent it skating on it's face three feet away from me. That phone was still functioning when I sent it off for someone else to use in 2014.
I've dropped my 5, 6+, 6s+ and my 4s. Many times. Only ONCE did something happen. A cracked screen on the 6+.
I've had my 6s+ for three years now and I've dropped it a few times. No issues.
Yeah, I meant me, lol.
However, I have never in all my time since owning the 3GS (my first iphone), dropped and smashed a phone. But then it's always had a case on it. I just know the Smartphone Gods have a demented sense of humour and if I go 'naked' then I run the risk of being the punchline.
The one drop I mentioned was a freak thing for me. The impact point was a corner of the glass screen that was just outside of the screen protector. The result was that the screen cracked but the screen protector had zero damage.
This was right around the time of the release of iOS 9. My iPhone was jailbroken and Apple had issues getting iOS 9 installed (so they said) so they replaced the entire phone for the cost of the screen replacement.
Yes my X case-less about 50% of the time I owned it. Cases made it feel bulky and ugly. I had no issues other than the stainless band micro scratches
I wanna have the guts to go naked, but, alas, I don’t. My phones are ALWAYS in cases from day 1. For my XS Max, I’ve ordered a temporary case because my preordered Loopy case won’t be here for a few weeks.
But, if you’re on the IUP, and have added the damage/loss protection coverage, wouldn’t it be a non-issue?
But, if you’re on the IUP, and have added the damage/loss protection coverage, wouldn’t it be a non-issue?
I will always use a case, a slim case... but will not go naked.
https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-iphone-x-drop-test/
The expense, the downtime, the hassle... not worth it.
(and this is just the first article I found with a simple search, search for just pictures...)
https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-iphone-x-drop-test/
The expense, the downtime, the hassle... not worth it.
(and this is just the first article I found with a simple search, search for just pictures...)
I always use my phones without a case and have never had a problem. I still plan to use my Max naked this year but as of this purchase I'm now on Apple's program with insurance so I feel fine continuing to do that even with the high price.