Honestly, you should try a modern tempered glass screen protector. I never found one I liked back in the iPhone 4 days and so gave up trying until I gave one a go with my 13 PM. My experience was that I actually preferred it to the naked screen. The oleophobic coating is much better and if it ever runs out then you can replace the screen protector. Not so easy with the naked screen
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.
iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 14 Pro, SO Close to going caseless!
- Thread starter AVBeatMan
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yup, same here. The last time I used a screen protector on an iPhone was the iPhone 3G in 2008. I wasn't a huge fan of them back then, but that was before Apple added the oleophobic coating, so the screen quickly became a smudgy and ugly fingerprint magnet. The iPhone 3GS was a refreshing change, and while I originally moved my screen protector over from my 3G, I removed it a couple days later and haven't looked back since.
While screen protectors can help to prevent scratches, I'm often amused by how many folks think it protects their screen from impact damage. They usually cite a cracked screen protector and say something like, "Good thing I had a screen protector or that's what would have happened to my screen," missing the point that the screen, especially on recent iPhone models, is significantly more durable than even the best tempered glass screen protectors. While there may be a narrow impact zone where a really good screen protector could help, in most cases, any impact strong enough to damage the ceramic shield will go right through the screen protector anyway.
I've never been able to tell the difference between a screen with a protector and a screen without a protector. I clearly do not have the keen vision of many on MR. But I love knowing that whatever happens, I can just swap out the protector and still have everything looking like the day I bought it.
I don’t believe in cases as a principle. If a device needs a case, then either the user is not using it as it was designed to be used or there’s something inherently wrong with the design of the device.
Edit- I made an additional post below to explain further.
Edit- I made an additional post below to explain further.
Last edited:
TLDR- if the average person needs to put a case on a product, then that product is not properly designed IMO. I try to avoid such products, but if I can't, then I would use a case on it. To me the size/ergonomics of the iPhone 14 Pro requires a case.
I want to experience a device as the designer intended, I assume naked without a case. But besides that, I think whenever a device has a case (or any peripheral) on it, something is amiss. If a device needs a case/peripheral—in order for the average (adult) person to use it safely and comfortably—then there’s something inherently wrong with the design of the device. It is made either too unergonomic/prone to being dropped, or too fragile, or both. Or the other possibility is people aren’t using it as it was intended to be used (eg. using with one hand but maybe it was designed to be used with two).
Not to say people shouldn't use a case if they want to be extra careful with their investment, or if they think they are more prone to accidents than the average person, or if they want to use the device less safely than was intended. But if a case is a necessity for the average person to use it normally and without fear, then to me that product has missed the mark in design.
So yes, I do believe there is a bit of an issue with pretty much all phones these days, because of their large size and in some instances their slippery design. People who don’t use cases seem to be the outliers now. From my experience, the average person uses a case, at least for the flagship-y phones, which to me is the smoking gun. This was much less the case in the days of small phones that were designed to be used one-handed. And in the days of dumb phones, which were even more ergonomic and much more durable, I don’t think cases even existed, though that also had some part to do with lower price. Although, I argue even if they were expensive, it wouldn’t have significantly increased the use of cases due to their well-suited design. Today, this is also true of walkie-talkies, even expensive ones.
But as phones got bigger, they entered a “no man’s land” between the definite casual one-handed phone and the definite intentional two-handed tablet. Though even bigger than a large phone, the tablet is much more obvious how it’s to be used, therefore it’s dropped much less (even in ratio to how much less they are used than phones), and therefore much fewer people (except young children) keep them in cases. In this no man’s land between one and two-handed use, the likelihood of dropping the device increases dramatically, especially for a device used so often when out and about, and especially when aesthetics are so often prioritized over practicality in design choices. But it seems this is the compromise that the average consumer votes for with their dollar today.
If phones have to be this size and used the way they are, then I think one or more of a couple things should happen.
- They should be designed to be not easily dropped. Grippy material, possibly built-in finger loops, etc.
- More rugged material to absorb impacts
But these won’t happen because consumers want beautiful sleek phones, even if they are more prone to breaking, and even if they cover them up with cases or add their own peripherals. So manufacturers comply. This is what most of us ask for, so I don’t blame manufacturers. I don’t blame anyone really, just pointing out the situation.
But I suppose if there’s one criticism I do have, it’s that phone manufacturers should acknowledge that for most people, cases are basically a requirement for their large unergonomic phones, and should therefore market their phones as needing a case. But I know that gets hairy as it’s not exactly clear at what size, how much of the population actually needs a case. Oh well.
So an iPhone 14 Pro? I would use a case on it. I consider any phone larger than an iPhone Mini and possibly larger than an iPhone 5 as requiring a case. Unless I really want to change how I use the device, and be a lot more careful with it than I care to be.
Sorry this is long and a bit of a tangent, but OP asked for thoughts regarding cases, and I had lots of thoughts.
I want to experience a device as the designer intended, I assume naked without a case. But besides that, I think whenever a device has a case (or any peripheral) on it, something is amiss. If a device needs a case/peripheral—in order for the average (adult) person to use it safely and comfortably—then there’s something inherently wrong with the design of the device. It is made either too unergonomic/prone to being dropped, or too fragile, or both. Or the other possibility is people aren’t using it as it was intended to be used (eg. using with one hand but maybe it was designed to be used with two).
Not to say people shouldn't use a case if they want to be extra careful with their investment, or if they think they are more prone to accidents than the average person, or if they want to use the device less safely than was intended. But if a case is a necessity for the average person to use it normally and without fear, then to me that product has missed the mark in design.
So yes, I do believe there is a bit of an issue with pretty much all phones these days, because of their large size and in some instances their slippery design. People who don’t use cases seem to be the outliers now. From my experience, the average person uses a case, at least for the flagship-y phones, which to me is the smoking gun. This was much less the case in the days of small phones that were designed to be used one-handed. And in the days of dumb phones, which were even more ergonomic and much more durable, I don’t think cases even existed, though that also had some part to do with lower price. Although, I argue even if they were expensive, it wouldn’t have significantly increased the use of cases due to their well-suited design. Today, this is also true of walkie-talkies, even expensive ones.
But as phones got bigger, they entered a “no man’s land” between the definite casual one-handed phone and the definite intentional two-handed tablet. Though even bigger than a large phone, the tablet is much more obvious how it’s to be used, therefore it’s dropped much less (even in ratio to how much less they are used than phones), and therefore much fewer people (except young children) keep them in cases. In this no man’s land between one and two-handed use, the likelihood of dropping the device increases dramatically, especially for a device used so often when out and about, and especially when aesthetics are so often prioritized over practicality in design choices. But it seems this is the compromise that the average consumer votes for with their dollar today.
If phones have to be this size and used the way they are, then I think one or more of a couple things should happen.
- They should be designed to be not easily dropped. Grippy material, possibly built-in finger loops, etc.
- More rugged material to absorb impacts
But these won’t happen because consumers want beautiful sleek phones, even if they are more prone to breaking, and even if they cover them up with cases or add their own peripherals. So manufacturers comply. This is what most of us ask for, so I don’t blame manufacturers. I don’t blame anyone really, just pointing out the situation.
But I suppose if there’s one criticism I do have, it’s that phone manufacturers should acknowledge that for most people, cases are basically a requirement for their large unergonomic phones, and should therefore market their phones as needing a case. But I know that gets hairy as it’s not exactly clear at what size, how much of the population actually needs a case. Oh well.
So an iPhone 14 Pro? I would use a case on it. I consider any phone larger than an iPhone Mini and possibly larger than an iPhone 5 as requiring a case. Unless I really want to change how I use the device, and be a lot more careful with it than I care to be.
Sorry this is long and a bit of a tangent, but OP asked for thoughts regarding cases, and I had lots of thoughts.
The only time I really went caseless is with the iPhone 4S, but I won't dare to go caseless since I can't stand scratches on the case of the phone. I went with a screen protector with my iPhone 14 Pro since I heard that the Ceramic Shield protects more with drops than scratches and scratches easily, so I went with a screen protector over AppleCare+. I never really drop my phone, so I never really shatter my screen.
Also, AppleCare+ is expensive, and I never really used it, even with the 2018 iPad Pro when I am scared off the bending. Surprisingly, I never bent my iPad Pro since it's always in a keyboard case. That is why I opted for a screen protector since the new glass ones are a lot better than the traditional plastic one.
I eventually had the Apple Store install the Belkin one since I still manage to get dust when I installed the most expensive Zagg Invishield glass screen protector from Best Buy, and returned it the next day. The one done at the Apple Store, while more than the cheaper ones you can get 2 for $15 gives me more piece of mind and not worrying to get dust under the screen protector. I have the same color Apple Leather case like I do with my 11 Pro since it feels good and has tactile buttons. Also, the patina on my 11 Pro case looks not bad after close to three years of use.
Also, AppleCare+ is expensive, and I never really used it, even with the 2018 iPad Pro when I am scared off the bending. Surprisingly, I never bent my iPad Pro since it's always in a keyboard case. That is why I opted for a screen protector since the new glass ones are a lot better than the traditional plastic one.
I eventually had the Apple Store install the Belkin one since I still manage to get dust when I installed the most expensive Zagg Invishield glass screen protector from Best Buy, and returned it the next day. The one done at the Apple Store, while more than the cheaper ones you can get 2 for $15 gives me more piece of mind and not worrying to get dust under the screen protector. I have the same color Apple Leather case like I do with my 11 Pro since it feels good and has tactile buttons. Also, the patina on my 11 Pro case looks not bad after close to three years of use.
Since the introduction of ceramic shield iPhones I've gone no case, no screen protector, and never had AppleCare regardless. If I break my phone it's just an excuse to get a different size or color.
I don't use screen protectors, but I put my iPhone in the pocket with the screen outwards. I know there is a risk of the screen being smashed if anything hits my front right pocket or if I clumsily walk into the edge of some table, but if I put the screen towards my body, I will smudge the iPhone cameras all the time when taking it out of the pocket.
While I have no problems with regularly cleaning my screen, I don't like the idea of smudges being on the cameras. It's one of my pet peeves.
That said: did anyone find a tempered glass screen protector that is actually good? And that comes with a mounting guide thingy? I have tried a few that came without a guide, just to try screen protectors out, but I had to throw them all away as they were not perfectly straight, and that's just awful to look at.
Yeah I like the way it covers the earpiece and has 2.5D slight curved edges. Flows well. Not perfect but a solid 8/10.
If you only want scratch protection, have you considered using a skin instead of a case? Skins don’t add bulk and if it’s clear then you can enjoy both the naked feel and look of the phone.
An update. Been using my 14 pro max caseless for 90% of the time. So much prefer it. Only time I use a case is when I have to go into the office 2 times a week or on a rare evening out. Other than that it’s without a case. Hate putting a case on now. Happy with 90% of the time.
Went caseless on a few phones and the thing that really bugged me was how the phone wouldn’t stay in my pocket when sitting down unless I had a case… SMH lol.
Now I use a plastic screen protector for the scratches and a Caudabe case for not sliding out my pocket lol.
Now I use a plastic screen protector for the scratches and a Caudabe case for not sliding out my pocket lol.
When it fell out of your pocket while you were sitting was there any damage? Perhaps from sitting height the iPhone is safe from damage??
From a distance you couldn’t tell but I would get small knicks and scratches on the stainless steel sides and I had micro scratches on the screen from it falling out of my pocket but this happened often
I have to give it up to Apple, I never saw a scratch on the camera lenses and I never had any cracking or shattering of the glass on either side.
So any time you leave the house, the phone has to be in a case?
What do you consider danger places, JM?