# Do you keep your cell phone in a case/cover, or just naked? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 18, 2007, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924 "2007-11-18T14:10:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/1 "2007-11-18T14:10:18Z")
I obtained a Tracfone for the Better Half, and he refuses to put it into a case of some sort, insisting on keeping it naked in his pocket, even though there is an entire kiosk at the mall devoted to tasteful, inexpensive cases and covers. This, to my surprise, apparently offends some heretofore unsuspected yet deeply held belief on my part. Makes me nervous, actually, for some reason. He remains oblivious to all my entreaties to “protect the buttons!” So I wondered how the rest of the world does this. How many of y’all keep your cell phones in your pocket or purse in tasteful cases of some sort? ---
**Author:** ![Hanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b3f665/32.png) [@Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hanna)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/2 "2007-11-18T14:18:54Z")
I’ve always kept mine naked. For the past 7 years I’ve had the flip phone style and the buttons stay protected when it is closed. Previously I had bar style phones and kept the key lock on to prevent unwanted dialing. I can deal with scratches and such and for the most part my plastic bodied phones have fared quite well. It is more important to me that my phone fit into my jeans pocked (I rarely carry a purse) so caseless is the way I choose to go. ---
**Author:** ![FourPaws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e0b2c6/32.png) [@FourPaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FourPaws)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/3 "2007-11-18T14:38:57Z")
[QUOTE=Boscibo] I’ve always kept mine naked. For the past 7 years I’ve had the flip phone style and the buttons stay protected when it is closed. Previously I had bar style phones and kept the key lock on to prevent unwanted dialing. I can deal with scratches and such and for the most part my plastic bodied phones have fared quite well. It is more important to me that my phone fit into my jeans pocked (I rarely carry a purse) so caseless is the way I choose to go. [/QUOTE] nakkid, baby, nakkid. I have a Treo 700 and it slides into the side pocket of my pants easily. With a cover on it, it tends to get snagged and is a PITA getting it out when you’re in a hurry (lie, when it’s ringing). My old Treo 600 and 650 were awfully slippery so I had a neoprene cover so i could hang onto them (as I don’t have fingerprints it makes it hard to grip it without it slipping). ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/4 "2007-11-18T14:42:27Z")
I used my knitting skillz and knitted a cozy for mine, as well as Ivylad and Ivyboy. It includes a cord to loop it through a belt loop, as well as a button to wrap the cord around to keep it attached to your belt loop. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/5 "2007-11-18T15:18:43Z")
Have never even considered a case. I don’t mind dings and scratches at all–just not wired to care about that–and this way it fits easily into my pocket or whatever. I DID put a hard plastic case on my nano, but only because I think it’s more fragile than my phone. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/6 "2007-11-18T15:31:18Z")
I have a pink Razr that I keep naked. I bought a case for it, but the case made the thing cold and uncomfortable. Now I just drop it in my purse. I like it better without the case. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/7 "2007-11-18T15:35:08Z")
No case, it’s generally slid into my pocket when I’m out and about, sits on the kitchen counter when I’m home. My current model is a flip phone, so the only button I have to worry about is the big walkie-talkie button on the side. Took ages for me to remember to clear my last two-way call so my butt didn’t call them back, but I’m not sure a case would have fixed that anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/8 "2007-11-18T15:52:14Z")
No case, in pocket. I have the cheapest of cheap free-with-the-cheapest-plan cheap phones. I keep the key lock on ever since I accidentally dialed someone at 6:30 one morning. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/9 "2007-11-18T16:04:52Z")
I have a Palm Treo, which is a bit of a chunk, and even more so in its brown padded leather holster. I use the holster only when carrying it in a briefcase or outer coat pocket - it makes too much of a lump in a suit jacket. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/10 "2007-11-18T16:11:32Z")
[QUOTE=ivylass] I used my knitting skillz and knitted a cozy for mine, as well as Ivylad and Ivyboy. [/QUOTE] I’m sure your family looks adorable in their hand knitted cozies; please post pics! ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/11 "2007-11-18T16:13:43Z")
I keep mine in a case on my belt. I found out the hard way that a cell phone in your shirt pocket can erase the mag stripes on things like hotel keys and credit cards. My bluetooth lives on my ear. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/12 "2007-11-18T16:16:48Z")
My RAZR is armored. I’m too much of a klutz to keep it naked. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/13 "2007-11-18T16:29:19Z")
I’ve never used a case, for any of my phones. I consider cases accessories like jewelry, not required safety devices. And I buy cheap phones, so were they to scratch, I’d be like, “So what? It’s a cell phone, not the Mona Lisa.” I did have a clunky old Virgin Wireless phone that most of the color rubbed off the faceplate. Luckily, it came with a spare faceplate, so when I got annoyed with purple metallic paint flakes in my pocket or purse, I just put the other faceplate on. I did get my husband a case for his iPod, because I read a lot of stories about how scratch-prone they are. And that’s a $300 piece of equipment, not a $15 pay-as-you-go phone. ---
**Author:** ![Dervorin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Dervorin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dervorin)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/14 "2007-11-18T16:37:17Z")
Naked, but my phone’s a Jurassic brick, so it can’t really come to much harm anyway. I do have a sleeve for my iPod, but that’s because of the fabled pro-scratch coating that Apple puts on them. My phone isn’t worth that sort of investment. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/15 "2007-11-18T16:39:54Z")
My cheap-o Pantech phone travels in a Maui Jim sunglass hardcase. Too bulky to slip in my pocket, of course. But I rarely use the phone except for emergencies, so it’s usually in the glove compartment or my day pack. ---
**Author:** ![Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Bambi\_Hassenpfeffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bambi_Hassenpfeffer)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/16 "2007-11-18T17:53:07Z")
I’ve never used a cellphone case, even though I have always spent too much on my cellphones. I just make sure that the phone is the only thing I have in its pocket. No keys or change or anything, just the phone. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/17 "2007-11-18T18:03:20Z")
I have the cheapie, freebie Nokia that Cingular gave me when I signed up for service 3 years ago. It lives in my car, nekkid. On the rare occasions I carry it on my person, I have a little pouch that’s part of my purse, and it slips right in there. I don’ need no steenkin’ case! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/18 "2007-11-18T18:09:17Z")
In my pocket, no case. I feel like !@#$ing Batman with it on my belt. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BrknButterfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/439d5e/32.png) [@BrknButterfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrknButterfly)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/19 "2007-11-18T18:12:01Z")
Mine is a blackberry pearl and it is naked. It has the marks to prove it since I tend to drop it a lot. Actually surprised it still works. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2007, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924/20 "2007-11-18T18:23:23Z")
Nekkid, and it’s a Nokia candy bar style phone. I just have gotten into the habit of locking the keys so the buttons don’t get mashed accidentally. Since I usually barely catch it before it goes into voicemail by the time I get it dug out of my purse, having it in a case would drive me crazy, I think. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-keep-your-cell-phone-in-a-case-cover-or-just-naked/426924.md?page=2)