Does anyone here go caseless?

By Brian Giles, 27 December, 2020

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

Around a month ago I decided to replace the battery in my iPhone XR since the battery health said the battery was degraded even though it also said it had 9% capacity. While I was at it, I also replaced the front glass because I figured I was going to keep it for the long haul and it was much cheaper than buying any of the iPhone 12s. In retrospect, I probably didn't need to replace anything in my phone.

Well, Santa Clause shocked me and brought me a 128GB iPhone 12 mini. It reminds me of my OG SE and 5s before that. I love how narrow it is as opposed to the poptart that is my XR and all the bigger phones. lol

I didn't get a case with it and I'm starting to wonder if I could get by without one. I usually like the Apple cases, but all the new ones are crazy expensive. I had a leather case on my 5s and the first couple weeks I had my OR SE before it cracked, so it made me wonder how long the leather cases will last. I've heard similar things about the silicone ones, although theoretically they would make it easier to grip the phone. I love the clear case I have on my XR though.

I don't put my keys in my pocket with my phone and I've been lucky enough to have never dropped my phones, so they're always in pristine condition (knock on wood lol). So I wonder if I could save the $50 or $60 this time around.

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Comments

By Khushi on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

I don't think you should go caseless on an IPhone.
I got my first IPhone in 2019 and since they're usually quite delicate though I have been lucky to never have dropped my phones I won't say you should :)

By burak on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

My brother did it with the SE first generation and regreted it. Since the sides of the phone case were scratched, the sale price of the phone dropped by like 200 liras.

By Jo Billard on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

An iPhone is too expensive for that. It took me abouta year and a half, but the day finally came when I dropped my phone, and fortunately it landed case side down. I also have a tempered glass screen protector. Better to replace that than having to deal with a busted screen, and I don't even want to think about the damage that could be done to the back of the phone.

By Ishkabibble on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

I've dropped my phone several times on concrete over the years, gotten stuff spilled on it, etc, but it's still alive because I have a case and screen protector on it. If I didn't protect it at all it almost certainly be a dirty, cracked mess. As previous posters have said, scratched/cracked iPhones have dramatically reduced resale values, and trade-in values with Apple will be negatively impacted as well. Since the iPhone 12 Mini has aluminum sides and a glossy glass back, it might also collect fingerprints and micro-scratches which won't ruin your experience but will not be aesthetically pleasing. The cases Apple makes (even the new MagSafe ones), are too expensive for the price to be justified. I recommend getting a tempered glass screen protector and decent case from Amazon instead (a 3-pack of screen protectors costs about $10 and a decent case from a company like Spigen won't cost much more than that). Hope this helps.

By LaBoheme on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

so maybe you just asked rhetorically? but you won't be disappointed, i have gone caseless since iphone 5. i always say "cases are for sissies", hey, but if you do use a case, i'm not calling you a sissy, just so we understand.

that piece of lousy plastic costs $20--60? i thought iphone is overpriced, and the case is probably 50 times more overpriced, and the whole world waste literally billions of dollars for it every year.

caseless feels so much better, that's what the phone is designed for. every year they talk about high grade aluminum, stainless steel, so beautiful, so high tech,and you take it out of the box and immediately put a case over it and probably never touch it again, what sense does it make? why not just make the phone in plastic? and if the phone is meant to use in a case, manufacturers ought to give you a case or simply make the phone more durable. go caseless, once you do, you'll know how much you've been missing.

I'd say it's not for me and a lot of people who can't afford to buy a new phone if it breaks beyond repair. And, come on, companies won't even provide a charger for their phones in the near future unless you pay for it, it's not wise to think they want you to use phones without cases just because phones don't come with a case on the box.

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

How careful are you with your phones? Do you have extended warranty? Do you find yourself frequently knocking or bumping your phone against other objects? Are you okay with having scuffs, scratches, scrapes, and cracks if and when you do damage your phone? Personally, I know I drop my phone on occasion, and I also sometimes bump my hip against my desk or other objects. I'm also paranoid about resting the thing on its back and potentially scratching the lenses, and as Zack from JerryRigEverything has taught us, they're not pure sapphire. I'm also one of those obsessive types who hates anything bigger than a microscratch, so for me the answer is obviously a yes to a case.

All of those questions are important to ask before going caseless. If you know you don't drop or knock your phones, but still want some scratch protection, you could try applying a vinyl skin. Also, on the topic of cases, you don't have to buy the official ones. I personally love Spigen cases because they're cheap, aren't too bulky, and provide basic impact protection.

By Robin on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

Hi, I've had iPhones for a good decade now and no I never go caseless as I prefer the feel of the phone in a case in my hand and I prefer the higher return I get when it's time to trade it in or sell it as mine always rate in mint condition whether I trade them into my carrier, Apple or a third party like Gazelle.com. I prefer the cases from supcase which can be found at their own site or Amazon. I know the question pertained to going caseless I only mention the cases I choose because they give me more than adequate protection without substantial bulk or a hefty price as they usually sell for one averaging around $20 or there abouts for one of their cases. They've served me well for many years. I've no affiliation I'm just a happy satisfied user. And with that I'll be quiet again. Good luck with whatever you choose. As with most things in life it's what works best for you and your use case. Take good care.

By Igna Triay on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

I've never gone caseless. While you can certainly go caseless, its a big risk, not really worth taking.

By Jeff on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

The best answer for this question depends on the individual. Each person must assess the risks for him or herself. If you're prone to dropping or bumping your phone a lot, then a case makes a lot of sense for that reason alone. But if you never drop your phone and are otherwise careful and easy on your phone, then I suspect you could get by without a case. Like LaBoheme, I know that Jonathan Mosen is a strong advocate for going caseless. Personally, I don't use a case for protection, I use a case that allows me to carry my ID and credit cards in the case. That way, I don't need to carry a billfold. Other's might want to use a battery case to extend the battery life of their phone. You'll have to evaluate the risks and advantages for yourself.

By peter on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

I went caseless for a number of years with my iPhone 6. The tactile feel of the phone is very nice and I was always very careful.

But, as statistics usually work this way, I finally did drop the phone and crack the glass which started peeling away from the edges so it wasn't merely cosmetic.

So I spent $100 replacing the glass and another $30 or $40 for a case. Now I have an iPhone XR and I certainly have a case on it after learning my lesson. Those smooth, nice feeling phones, will eventually fall.

BTW, our daughter recently dropped her iPhone and cracked the glass. After doing some checking it turned out that her credit card offered some sort of protection plan that came with the card and she got the glass replaced for free. So you might check that out. sometimes there are hidden benefits on these credit cards!

--Pete

By LaBoheme on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

In reply to by WellF

i guess the real question is whether you should go naked. they advertise the case a lot, apple certainly does. space aluminum, surgical stainless steel, new gorilla glass that is tougher than ever. beautiful, piece of art, sounds so good, and you definitely pay a premium for that. turns out you can't enjoy it at all, so why the waste?

now, as one poster says, you might eventually drop your phone and need $100 to replace glass. look at it this way: the case won't necessarily protect you from this unless you use a real bulky case. and how often does this happen? maybe three years? well, in three years, your cases likely cost even more, and if the glass still costs more, the difference isn't huge, it's not like you do this everyday. the most important thing is you got to enjoy what the phone is design to look and feel.

go naked, and if you do break your phone, come bak and tell me about it, i'll give you a hug.

It’s way too much money spent on a single device for me to take this risk. We don’t use dollars in my country

By Khushi on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

I have a rose-gold IPhone. though I can't see the colors, I found it might be a nice choice. and if you want to kepe the asthetics of your phone visible, then u can use a cleare silicone cake like me.. if you're sure you won't drop your phone or bump/nock it by mistake.

By Travis Roth on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

Hi, Apple makes some nice cases and as usual charges a premium. So if the main issue is cost, there are plenty of third party sellers. I stuck a $10 case on my iPhone XR and it worked fine for years.
The other bigger thing for me than the actual concern of dropping it is I set the phone down at times. A case protects the camera bump that sticks out so far. And for me, using Seeing AI in Short text mode works best by placing the phone screen side down and holding the item above the camera. I much prefer it to rest on the edges of the case than directly on the screen. I generally try to trade or resell my phones every few years, so it is worth it to me. If you have no intention of trying to resell it, and don't care about bumps and scratches, and/or replacement cost is no issue, hey enjoy your phone however you like.
With the new ceramic shield front glass I think it is more debatable if the screen protectors are needed. Even so, is it really worth it? I don't' have the new phone type yet, but I will probably let others give that new glass a test before I do. Even if it didn't cost about the something like $249? to replace the screen, there isn't an Apple Store in walking distance around here.

By OldBear on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

It's a little like an instrument, I suppose. Use the case when you know you'll be likely to drop it on hard surfaces, and take it out when you want to show it off.

Personally, I leave mine in the case all the time, and it's saved my phone from several idiotic accidents. You ever have your hand let go of something for no reason, or because you're picking something up with the other hand? Maybe it's an old man thing...

By Bruce Harrell on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

I have an iPhone 10s and 5 cases -- one ordinary thin silicon I can wirelessly charge through, and 4 battery cases that are extremely useful, especially when I go camping. I also have a layer of protective glass that I bought from the Apple store. I previously owned a 6s and a 5s, each of which were still in mint condition when I upgraded.

I'm pretty tough on things, not out of any intention but because I'm not very timid when I move around. I gouge and scratch and bump and knock things like rings on my fingers or a watch on my wrist. I also tend to drop my iPhones. not on purpose but because I have the unfortunate tendency to bump it in my hand when I'm moving around. Oh well. Maybe you can see? If so, then I imagine you're not very concerned about damaging your stuff. That's cool. I wish I didn't have to be concerned, but there it is. I hate destroying the appearance or function of the things I own.

Joy!

Bruce

Yes, the phones feel very nice when used caseless, and yes, eventually one will drop a phone even if it has a case and something may break.

However, it is precisely the nice feel of the caseless phone that makes it even more likely to be dropped if one isn't using a case. Those phones are very smooth and slippery. Most cases are a lot less resistant to slipping out of one's hand.

Kind of funny that apple puts all the effort and money into making such a beautiful phone that people usually wind up covering with cases!

--pete

By Remy on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

Wh ile y ou might in a perfect world manage to snot break your iPhone without a case, it's far too expensive to chance. You don't have to getone of those expensive apple cases; there are plenty of third party ones which are fantastic for much cheaper. I suggest going with one.

By Joseph Westhouse on Sunday, December 27, 2020 - 17:55

I'm going on three or four years caseless with no horror stories, first with my 6S that I only traded in because the headphone jack was starting to malfunction, and now two years with my XR. I actually find that I drop my phone much less often since I stopped using a case. When I used a case I think it lulled me into a false sense of security, so I would get careless and be more likely to drop the phone. Now, I drop it very rarely, and then only in low-risk situations (sitting down over carpet, etc). My theory is that I am more nervous about dropping and breaking my phone without a case, so I'm more aware of how securely I'm holding it. And since no case is perfect, the only way to guarantee your phone's safety is to not drop it at all, meaning going case-free has worked out pretty well for me.

By aaron on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

I go caseless, no screen protector either.

Apple care is my case, and I've never needed it.

By Holger Fiallo on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

No.

By Brad on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

I have a case. It's a little plastic one.

By Andy Lane on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

You can get really short USB C extension cables.

By Andy Lane on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

The iPhone is too slippy. I’ve used the same cases for years now. They are hand made out of Kevlar and last the entire time I keep my phone. They really are a bit special but they’re also quite expensive. I think the iPhone 14’s case was £70 but it’s very attractive with the Kevlar we’ve easily visible and feelable. It also has a really nice soft touch coating that grips well on furniture and bedding but doesn’t catch on pockets. IMHO they really are the perfect case. Very snug to the phone, I think they’re 0.13mm thick. The manufacturer is named Pitaka.

By Chris on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

I don't want or need a case. It's yet another fee and makes the phone more bulky. I've been using iPhones and Android phones without cases for a very long time and it hasn't been an issue.

By Dave Nason on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

I don’t use a case and pretty much never have. I’ve been using iPhones since January 2010 and have only smashed one, my old iPhone X.
For a brief time after that I used a case, but soon got tired of the extra bulk and less appealing look and feel, and went back to the naked phone.
Of course accidents may happen and I may regret this post lol, but I look after my phones well in general and think one smash in fourteen years ain’t bad.
Join the club folks.
Dave

By neosonic2 on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

I've owned four different iPhones since 2012 and have never had a case on any of them. Why? Because I don't drop my phone. I take care of my technology and treat it as the expensive product it is. I also figure I can save money on a case (a lot of money, in fact, depending on the model) by respecting my technology, and that serves as an incentive for taking common sense actions to ensure it doesn't get damaged.

By peter on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

Several iPhones ago I decided to go caseless. After all, that gorilla glass stuff and all that as well as robust devices made by Apple. Besides, the phones themselves feel so good in your hand without a case!

I too am very careful with all computer and electronic devices that I own or use.

Well, I finally learned why one should have a case for such an expensive item.

One day while walking along a dirt path, I turned the phone sideways to take a photo. Just then a train horn blared loudly and I must have jerked a bit. Wouldn't you know it, the slipperly little device slid right out of my hands, landed on the ground face down, and lo and behold, the indestructable gorilla glass was cracked!

Now I always use a case which is too bad since, as I said, the feel of the caseless phones that Apple artistically designed is exquisite.

Incredible that Apple would put such effort into making the phones so esthetically pleaseing to the eye and touch for such an expensive device, and that the final user should have to cover all of that up with an expensive case which is not included with the iPhone. perhaps in addition to designing for esthetics, the design should also incorporate robustness! Yes, the two design features might complete and make it necessary to have trade offs, but isn't that what product design is all about?

--Pete (no longer going caseless)

By Brian on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

Anyone here remember when certain Android-based phones were "rugged" with Mil-spec materials? Be nice if Apple would do something like that with their phones.
Of course, then a bunch of cellphone providers would be angry they were not making bank off of "life proof" cases. 😅

By OldBear on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

My lifestyle is incompatible with caselessness. In fact, my lifestyle is almost incompatible with having a cased smartphone nearby. Naked iPhones seem a bit too thin for me anyway.

By Brad on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

I have a plastic case that shows off the front of the phone, my nan has a wallet case that folds over, i'm not a huge fan of that one but it works just fine.

Going caseless is fine if you don't drop your phone, i have and it's not worth the risk for me.

I've just looked on amazon, there's plastic cases going for about £4.50, then it goes up from there but the most i've paid is around 20 max I think so for those saying it's another expencive thing to buy, it doesn't have to be.

You don't have to go with the all that extra charging stuff if you don't want to.

By Dennis Long on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

Sorry but its true. Unless you just have a bunch of money laying around and you can easily afford to replace your phone I wouldn't go caseless. Phones are to much these days.

By Holger Fiallo on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

Those who do not use it or screen protector are playing with their phone. Even when I watch, get it watch videos in youtube about the iPhone talk about scraches, and so on if they do not have a case. The pro and pro max have so many finger prints that it probably does not look good. I will stick with my 13 pro case and screen protector. When I give my phone to a friend next year it will look new. No scraches in the screen. Just nice and new.

By OldBear on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

The only issues I have with dawning cases are the phone doesn't cool as well, and the phone doesn't fit in the slot at the top of my bluetooth keyboard. I'm pretty sure I could build an adapter extension for the keyboard slot, and I do have a fan platform to set devices on somewhere in those boxes full of electronic paraphernalia over there. Probably not worth the effort...

By Magic Retina on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

Even if you aren't a stuff destroyer just by touching it the way I am, something like an Otterbox case makes the phone easier to hold and I find my typing with BSI is much better with a case than without. Without the case my palms were always messing up my inputs, especially with these newer phones that have screens all the way to the edge.

By Brad on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

I find they're way to bulky, unless I'm thinking of another case but yeah, a case is great for your phone.

By OldBear on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

Yes, the Otterbox case--it's actually two layers of casing and a third layer of belt clip holder--is bulky. It's probably ugly too, and that's why I use it.

By Jo Billard on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

It didn't have a belt clip, it was just a simple case. I guess there are different kinds. I have a magsafe case and now it looks horrible, peeling all over the place. It certainly cost enough so I am very disappointed.

By Justin Philips on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

That was the only phone I used without a case. It was nice to hold. Now I use cases.

By Tayo on Friday, October 27, 2023 - 17:55

I've just gotten this phone, and while I'm usually very careful with my tech, some might say too careful, I've already managed to drop the phone a couple of times. Already there's a slight scratch at the bottom right edge. I intend to get a case as soon as possible, even though I really like the way the phone feels in my hand.