No it’s not normal. It’s an obsessive compulsive disorder, which happens to be normal for many on this forum.
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Other Obsessiveness over protection and flawless condition
- Thread starter Sami13496
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While I dont understand it myself, I will never begrudge someone for not using a case or a screen protector. It’s all up to the individual. I have to hand it to those that can keep their phone pristine or nearly so without using them, I wish I could.
I have a neurological condition which causes my hands to spaz and twitch randomly so I never know if I will end up dropping my phone or not, which is why I protect it as well as possible, with also having a wrist strap attached to the case. I’m not a person who is financially well off, so even paying $29 for a screen repair through AppleCare can be a problem depending on the situation.
Yes, phones are tools. They get used and are subject to potential scratches, scuffs, and other damage. Even with a case. I take care of all my tools, whether they are my phone or my hand and power tools that I use for doing my own auto repair or projects around the house. Sure, they have their wear marks, but that is unavoidable if you actually want to use them. But I still do what I can to keep them nice as I can. Clean them with a degreaser when finished to get the dirt and grime off, then wipe any metal down with a light coating of kroil or other oil to stave off rust and tarnishing.
Tools are worth taking care of, so I take care of mine as best as I know how.
I have a neurological condition which causes my hands to spaz and twitch randomly so I never know if I will end up dropping my phone or not, which is why I protect it as well as possible, with also having a wrist strap attached to the case. I’m not a person who is financially well off, so even paying $29 for a screen repair through AppleCare can be a problem depending on the situation.
Yes, phones are tools. They get used and are subject to potential scratches, scuffs, and other damage. Even with a case. I take care of all my tools, whether they are my phone or my hand and power tools that I use for doing my own auto repair or projects around the house. Sure, they have their wear marks, but that is unavoidable if you actually want to use them. But I still do what I can to keep them nice as I can. Clean them with a degreaser when finished to get the dirt and grime off, then wipe any metal down with a light coating of kroil or other oil to stave off rust and tarnishing.
Tools are worth taking care of, so I take care of mine as best as I know how.
So if it’s normal for many on this forum (me) then how can it not be normal at the same time?
There’s nothing wrong with those even without OCD to treat what they spend hundreds and thousands on with care.
I personally like having a car that’s 2 and a 1/2 years old and still smells new on the inside. If I ever decide on selling it outright, I won’t have any issues. Same goes for my devices.
Just my $0.02 👊😎👍
I’m gonna do what I’ve been doing, everyone has a choice to make.
Perks of living in a third world country my friend, phone + AC+ was $2200 for 256GB.You pay as much for AC+ as I do for a years worth of full coverage insurance on my SUV!
I've always been protective of my screen, but never really cared about the body until prices hit $800+. Even with AppleCare +, a thin clear case just makes more sense. $20 dollars on an ESR case, vs. $99 for a replacement device. And only if the device is actually damaged. Scratches aren't covered.
Come to think of it…
I always took care of my stuff when I was a kid.
However, I never used a case or pouch for any of my GameBoys and those things were like a high-end car to me at the time when I was a kid. I kept it clean and as nice as I could. I also took it everywhere with me. Sure they’d develop normal wear and tear but not to the level of what people fear with modern phone these days lol. Plastic screens would scratch by breathing on it back then. Now we got people putting $80 sapphire screen protectors on top of Corning glass lmao
I always took care of my stuff when I was a kid.
However, I never used a case or pouch for any of my GameBoys and those things were like a high-end car to me at the time when I was a kid. I kept it clean and as nice as I could. I also took it everywhere with me. Sure they’d develop normal wear and tear but not to the level of what people fear with modern phone these days lol. Plastic screens would scratch by breathing on it back then. Now we got people putting $80 sapphire screen protectors on top of Corning glass lmao
It's abnormal to take care of your expensive devices to make sure they're the best quality they can be longterm?
These are expensive purchases for many people. Unless you can easily afford to replace them (via AppleCare or otherwise), it is sensible to help ensure the device lasts a long time.
In addition, these are used daily, taken almost everywhere, and are sometimes placed in precarious situations. By extension, we are going to be concerned with the protection of it more than something that sits on a shelf all the time.
Now, the topic of obsession. Any obsession about these devices is unhealthy. That doesn’t mean I don’t think they are unwarranted (cost) or not reinforced (culture). But we seek some balance in how we treat, think, and engage with these devices.
On the flip side of that, I think folks who toss them around, breaking the screen all the time also have an unhealthy relationship with the device. From a financial and ecological perspective primarily.
I also think individuals who push for “purity“ as the proper approach to the devices have an unhealthy relationship with the device (whether they break it or not). Telling folks they must use it without a case or it is a waste, etc.
There is a balance to be had; respecting that it is an expensive item and seeking to ensure it lasts as long as it can; but also not getting worked up when it gets a scratch or ding, getting it repaired when functionality is harmed (broken screen), and just doing the best you can.
I believe some of this obsession is born out of the sell-and-upgrade-often approach to these phones, which I also think is unhealthy so take that for what you will.
In addition, these are used daily, taken almost everywhere, and are sometimes placed in precarious situations. By extension, we are going to be concerned with the protection of it more than something that sits on a shelf all the time.
Now, the topic of obsession. Any obsession about these devices is unhealthy. That doesn’t mean I don’t think they are unwarranted (cost) or not reinforced (culture). But we seek some balance in how we treat, think, and engage with these devices.
On the flip side of that, I think folks who toss them around, breaking the screen all the time also have an unhealthy relationship with the device. From a financial and ecological perspective primarily.
I also think individuals who push for “purity“ as the proper approach to the devices have an unhealthy relationship with the device (whether they break it or not). Telling folks they must use it without a case or it is a waste, etc.
There is a balance to be had; respecting that it is an expensive item and seeking to ensure it lasts as long as it can; but also not getting worked up when it gets a scratch or ding, getting it repaired when functionality is harmed (broken screen), and just doing the best you can.
I believe some of this obsession is born out of the sell-and-upgrade-often approach to these phones, which I also think is unhealthy so take that for what you will.
I generally put a case and screen protector for the opposite reason - so I don’t have to worry about it !
Also by keeping it nice allows me to keep the product longer and enjoy it. If it was covered in scratches I’m more likely to waste money buying a new one each year 😁
But I don’t see a depreciating asset like a phone as something to actually get stressed about. If I did break it, oh well I’d just buy a new one - as mentioned by others in this thread I don’t see it as expensive or special like Jewellery .
I know people who worry so much about how it looks in or out of a case and seem to see it as some sort of financial investment - which is mad.
Also by keeping it nice allows me to keep the product longer and enjoy it. If it was covered in scratches I’m more likely to waste money buying a new one each year 😁
But I don’t see a depreciating asset like a phone as something to actually get stressed about. If I did break it, oh well I’d just buy a new one - as mentioned by others in this thread I don’t see it as expensive or special like Jewellery .
I know people who worry so much about how it looks in or out of a case and seem to see it as some sort of financial investment - which is mad.
By putting a case on it? Do you mean that it is similar to putting clothes on a human?
I suppose that’s a suitable analogy 🤷🏻♂️
This is why, even though I don't use cases, I am careful with my stuff. No setting ~$1000 devices down on dangerous or unstable surfaces. Use designated spots. Be aware where your phone is oriented to and where it is in space relative to you. Put it away in crowds or in places where lots of people are moving around - someone will bump you or trip, or fall into something. It happens. I've seen one person trip on flat ground. Don't use it one-handed. That's asking for trouble if someone knocks in to you. If there's nothing you can do in a certain situation, cage the device with your hands to protect it until you can get it put away safely. Learn to anticipate what people will do and what their actions are telegraphing. Think about what COULD happen if you set your device down in certain spots.
This has helped protect my device more times than I can count.
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I don’t know if it’s quite as serious as all that…
Some people like to protect their devices with a case and screen protector to protect from scratches to get the most resale value when it comes time to upgrade and there are others who have OCD issues and want to keep their device as brand new as possible for the life of the phone.
There’s others who use their phone as the tool it is and don’t want to use any protection and want to enjoy the design that Apple created and don’t worry about the occasional war wound of using it without any case or screen protection.
There’s no right or wrong in either scenario, it’s all subjective.
Don’t go into the accessories forum. People are protecting what’s protecting their phones. Lmao.
I wouldn’t be so sure. A car costs thousands upon thousands more, yet you don’t cover it in bubble wrap and TPU, do you?
And don’t bring up insurance because insurance is basically just AppleCare in that analogy.
I have had one car crash in 15 years and have dropped my phone a bazillion times.
Anecdotal evidence =/= statistics
You can’t control who drives into you
I used to have this very same obsession when I was much younger. Over the years I’ve just kind of stopped caring.
It’s a tool and I always tell myself that I’m not going to own it forever, everything in this world is temporary in a way, it really helped me stop worrying about it.
That being said, I don’t like rocking it no case, only because I don’t like the way it feels in hand. So I’ve always used a basic TPU case for grip and that’s it. I don’t use any screen protectors.
I’ve found that overall my devices always end up with very minimal scratches at the end anyways.
It’s a tool and I always tell myself that I’m not going to own it forever, everything in this world is temporary in a way, it really helped me stop worrying about it.
That being said, I don’t like rocking it no case, only because I don’t like the way it feels in hand. So I’ve always used a basic TPU case for grip and that’s it. I don’t use any screen protectors.
I’ve found that overall my devices always end up with very minimal scratches at the end anyways.
Yes, because people crash their cars as often as they drop their phones. 🤨
In 2022 people literally are decal wrapping their cars. I've also been offered special finish treatments when I've bought cars in the past. Bumper appliques, mud guards, people put all kinds of protective and decorative add-ons on their cars.
Just get over this already, live and let live.
Actually, a lot of us don’t live like Kings and enjoy very few luxuries in life. One luxury for me is a high end phone that I choose to treat like it’s something I can’t afford and take for granted.