5 reasons why I never use a case on my phone – Android Police

When I started using smartphones, I put a case on them to protect them from accidental drops and keep them in pristine condition for as long as possible. Later, I risked using my phone without a case and enjoyed how it felt in my hand. It made me wonder why people care about a phone’s design when they cover it with a case.Now, the first thing I buy alongside my phone is a screen protector, not a case. That’s because the screen is more likely to shatter and render even the best phones unusable after accidental drops. While your phone may sustain minor dents and scuffs along the edges, that’s mostly cosmetic, which isn’t a big deal unless you’re concerned about preserving your phone’s resale value. Let’s look at the factors that convinced me to stop using cases.Sneaky things that depreciate your smartphone’s valueCases that provide ample drop protection are thick and made of soft silicone or TPU material with a raised lip that goes around the edges of your phone. This increases the phone’s thickness, which I’m not a fan of. While there are plenty of minimalistic hard shell and leather cases, they don’t provide adequate protection. Many thin, hard shell cases don’t cover all the edges of the phone, leaving some areas vulnerable. So, why would I consider them?Besides the thickness, it’s worth considering the added heft. Modern smartphones typically weigh around 180 to 230 grams, and putting on a lightweight silicone case adds roughly 25 to 30 grams. You can expect bulkier hard shell cases to weigh more than that. You would think 30 grams isn’t a lot, but I feel the extra weight the moment I put on a phone case. The lighter my phone feels, the less fatigue I have while using it for extended periods.Gone are the days when phones used to be made of cheap plastic and composite materials. Almost all mid-range and high-end smartphones use an aluminum or stainless steel housing, with some flagship phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, boasting a titanium frame. They’re durable enough that you don’t have to worry about accidentally dropping them on the ground and damaging your phone, as long as you installed a screen protector. You’ll see some scuffs and dents, but they’re mostly cosmetic damage.Manufacturers spend millions of dollars designing phones with premium materials you can proudly show off. What’s the point of hiding that shiny metal and glass housing with a case? While you’re protecting it from scratches and scuff marks, you’re covering up the design choices that made you buy the phone.The design of a phone is one of the main factors that influence our purchase decision. It could be that you like a particular phone’s curved edges or the matte glass finish on the back, but none of that matters if you put a case on it. You don’t get to look and actually feel your phone’s design with a case covering it. All you’ll feel is the material of the case, but in that case, you can splurge on a leather case and call it a day, no matter what phone you buy.I’ve used my Galaxy Z Flip 5 caseless for almost two years, and I’ve dropped it a few times. There are a few minor scratches and scuffs on the edges, but I still love how it feels in my hand. When I flip it open, the phone feels sleek. I’m certain it would feel bulky with a case on it, especially when the phone is folded. Also, depending on the case you get, your phone might feel slippery. I feel like some cases have awkward ridges that interfere with the natural grip of a phone.I understand how important our smartphones are in our everyday lives, and we can’t risk damaging them under any circumstances. That’s why I pay a premium for an extended warranty plan like AppleCare+ for my iPhone 16 Pro Max, which covers accidental damage for two years. In case of any major damage, I can take my phone to a nearby service center and get a replacement unit within a day or two for a minimal service fee.Samsung and Google offer extended warranty plans for their smartphones. If you want to go caseless without worries, the extra $100 to $300 you pay upfront might be worth it in the long run. Considering a high-quality phone case and a screen protector cost between $30 and $50, you’re better off paying a premium and getting your phone insured since it gives you added security.Just because you use a case on your phone doesn’t mean it will be free of scratches. There are gaps between the case and your phone, and that’s plenty of space for dust and other tiny debris to get trapped and accumulate over time. You may have noticed this if you’ve removed your phone case after several months of use. These tiny particles gradually create micro-scratches on the edges and back of your phone.That’s why you should remove your phone’s case and clean it regularly. Even with a phone case, cosmetic damage is inevitable without proper maintenance. For instance, if your phone has a stainless steel frame, you may notice an uneven wear pattern along the edges, resulting from the trapped dirt rubbing against the surface. I experienced this on my iPhone X when I used a silicone case for months without cleaning it. I tried rubbing the wear pattern off with a polishing cloth, but that wasn’t enough to restore its original condition.Going caseless is risky, but as long as you have a tempered glass screen protector and are careful while handling your device, you won’t damage your phone to the point that it needs hardware repairs. Modern smartphones, especially traditional slab phones, are durable enough. Still, if you want peace of mind and don’t want to deal with the downsides of using a case, you can pay a couple hundred dollars extra on a premium warranty plan like Samsung Care Plus or Google Preferred Care. That way, you can get a replacement device for a minimal fee in case of significant damage, and you won’t have to worry much about your phone’s resale value.We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.Your comment has not been savedI always put a screen protector and super thick case on my phone so I can throw it. Usually immediately after reading content like this.How is this an article with 5 different points? It’s personal preference. ü§∑üèΩ‚Äç‚ôÇ+ it depends on phone build (glass/plastic), user’s tolerance on how many times they can afford to replace a $300-$1,300 phone.The added GRIP is one of the greatest benefits of a good case, IMO; more so than impact protection.The TPU/Silicone material prevents the slick metal “premium” nekked phone from easily sliding out of your hand, or off your pants leg while… erm… seated.The Internet: where you can always find ‚Äòproof‚Äô for whatever you already believe, no matter how absurd.LOL. Drop a phone on a corner and the screen protector won’t help at all. And you’re paying probably 10 times as much PER YEAR for the protection plan than a good screen saver would cost. Just LOL.My pixel 8 is so slippery due to its glass body, that I must use a case!The case I use is a Ringke having a rough texture which actually feels great in hand The “slippery-ness” of the Pixel8 is particularly worse with wet hands!Reason 6: I work for Android Police and get a new phone every 3 months anyway…Sure? He’s using a 2023 Flip 5.I tried this but the phone becomes very easy to drop without a grippy case. It’s a Pixel 8 and replacing it takes a while. I can barely keep hold of the phone without its case.Is this supposed to be satire, rage bait, clickbait, or what? 5. “Cases add bulk.” Oh no, 1 millimeter more in thickness. That’s like saying condoms are bulky. 4. “Modern phones are durable enough.” If you’re going to go case-less, you might as well go without a screen protector too, after all “modern phones are durable enough.” Have fun with a cracked screen, lines going down your phone, etc for not using a case and screen protector.3. “Better in-hand feel.” It depends on the phone, the case, and the user preference.2. “I pay for a premium warranty.” Good for you, so should everyone who pays for warranty just be careless and replace their phone every other year or more often because of their carelessness?1. “Cases trap dust and debris.” Ok, so what? Do you want to replace a $500 – $1,500 item every time you drop it when that can be avoided with a screen protector and case, costing no more than $50? All of these points are purely subjective. Nobody plans to drop/damage their new phone but life happens.I get the thinnest (least weight) case that will still protect the edges and screen when dropped. I get clear so I can still admire the color and style of the phone I picked.I take the case off at least once a month and clean it (removing the debris the author is worried about).An added benefit of the case is grip. I find most phones too slick which actually makes me more likely to have it slip from my hand.I like the brands Spigen and Torras.When I wrote freelance, these kinds of themes would float by. So easy to fluff up an idea with a few details, and sloppy logic. Now I read them for laughs; this one was pretty funny – no case on the phone…. oh boy.I started using a case on the rear when I got my 1st Pixel (3). Partly because it gave me a better grip on the phone and partly because I was now shelling out money on a premium phone. I still use one on my Pixel 9 Pro XL. Granted, it’s only a $20 case, but it still feels better in my hand and does not add any bulk. As to screen protectors, I have never used one and have never shattered a screen.I have seen how other people treat their phones and they should have maximum protection.$20 for a case? I never spend more than $7.One thing I have noticed at the gym is the number of younger people who just drop their phones on the floor. They don’t put them down. They literally drop them, when they going to do another exercise set. I don’t understand it. SInce I live in Apple territory, the vast majority around my area have Apple phones Perhaps they build them better than Androids? Or maybe they have insurance on them and don’t care?You have just been lucky on the screen. That is all it is.Aren’t you embarrassed writing puff pieces like this?I use a case because commentators like sticky out camera islands because they look nice. The case means the phone can sit flat and the islands dont get in the way. . You don’t need a case because working for AP, you can get new phone whenever you want one.So he really loves his 2023 Flip 5?Thanks for showing us what it looks like when you don’t have any meaningful content, but you need to generate ad revenue.The better gripping power of a decent case is my main reason to have one. You can find good, minimal design cases for less than $10. Read customer comments to see if the case is slippery and avoid it. A case with a good grip, plus a screen protector is the way to goI have never used a case. I don’t drop my phone.The worst drop I had was the corner of a phone, when I temporarily had the phone out of its case; it ruined the phone. A screen protector is no protection against that kind of drop. I had insurance, fortunately, and would recommend that to anyone, case or no.I always get a clear, very light and low-profile case, so the design can be appreciated.I agree, I don’t use a case either. I want something that goes in/out of pocket easy. It also looks better without case. By not having a case, I take more care in the handling of the phone. I have not dropped my phone in years and it’s because I respect it’s fragility. I supposed those people who buy mid level bricks don’t need cases. For those people who choose to buy higher end phones with edge and flip/fold screens it isn’t really optional. One fall is all it would take to make having an extra 1-2 millimeters total difference worth it. I didn’t buy cases previously, but I had to get one for my Pixel 6 because it’s so slippery I often found it on the floor!Does a case affect the phone‚Äôs ability to connect to a tower? I have two Samsung Galaxy Note 4‚Äôs, and neither will no longer reliably connect to a Consumer Cellular (AT&T) cell tower. All other features, including WiFi calling/connection, work fine.A screen protector protects against scratches, not cracking. A case will.I mean without a case it’ll probably last 5-10 drops but lasts way longer with a case on I don’t even think I could count how many times I drop my phone in a year. And yes there’s warranty but it’s a privilege to be able to drop 100+ at a moments notice for warranty deductible I guess… Also all modern phones are glass sandwiches so there very slippery in general with no grip All our families lovely Samsung Galaxy S phones and tablets are inside quality clear, TPU/Silicone cases..mainly Spigen..with perfectly raised edges to protect the phone corners, and thickened clear back covers which prevent the camera lenses from damage and scratches, simultaneously giving a flat rear surface when laying the phone down, making it perfectly rock free when using it.I wouldn’t consider using any of our devices without these cases and screen protectors too..For me, manufacturers obsession with thinness, then having massive protruding camera bumps is nonsense..a good, clear case rectifies this perfectly, preserves the style and colour appeal of the phone and makes it safer and more comfortable to use everyday..Something no insurance policy can achieve at a much higher cost too..!Left out the most important reason. Cases trap in heat, which degrades the battery.I buy a cheap silicone case and cut out the back so that the case is only a side bumper. (And I use a screen protector) Lacking precision cutting instruments for this, the cut out section is not completely straight or clean. I wish they made cases that are only side bumpers.Lmfao ü§£ Why not just go with a bumper case then? Rhinoshield makes good onesMaybe a factor after 5 years. Or maybe no factor at all.Savings all aroundThe leaks continueDon‚Äôt do itIt’s time to retire the chunky camera barThis is how the processing went from zero to heroLegacy devices are more useful than you think

Source: https://www.androidpolice.com/why-i-dont-use-a-phone-case/