# Who cares what the phone looks like? Everyone's gonna slap a case on it anyway. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 19, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276 "2015-08-19T18:26:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quintas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/48db29/32.png) [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/1 "2015-08-19T18:26:09Z")
Sunday night I shattered my beloved and rooted Nexus 5. I hate the added bulk of even a thin case so I just tried to be careful. Also the Nexus 5 seemed to be the perfect size caseless. Lesson learned. So im in the store and would probably go for the Nexus 6 except I hate the trend of giant smartphones and the 6 is a monster. I ended up getting the LG G4. Its also too big even without a case.I thought it was OK in the store but the past 2 days whenever I pick it up I think “I hate this damn phone” Its going back. I may actually end up getting the smaller \< 5" iPhone, since Android seems to be in some sort of size war. The salesperson was saying this phone vs this phones specs are about the same but IMO this looks better blah blah. Who gives a damn about the design aesthetics when you’re gonna immediately try to up sell me a big ugly case for it? I want my Nexus 5 back. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/2 "2015-08-19T18:34:28Z")
I think those cases are a sham. I’ve never used one and have on many occasion dropped my phone. Dropped it bad enough for the back plate to pop off (along with the battery) and I have never had a cracked screen or any other issues with said phones. ---
**Author:** ![Quintas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/48db29/32.png) [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/3 "2015-08-19T18:38:44Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I think those cases are a sham. I’ve never used one and have on many occasion dropped my phone. Dropped it bad enough for the back plate to pop off (along with the battery) and I have never had a cracked screen or any other issues with said phones. I had never dropped a phone since getting my first smartphone in 2010. But I managed to on Sunday. Unlucky drop that completely destroyed the screen. Looks like I backed over it in my car. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/4 "2015-08-19T18:52:59Z")
You might take a look at the Samsung S5 Mini. ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/5 "2015-08-19T19:03:42Z")
My previous phone had a case on it. One Saturday morning I went to my car to pick up coffee. I noticed that I still had my trash can out from the previous days pickup so I set my phone on the car to bring the trash can in. Then I drove off - forgetting the phone was on top of the car. The rubbery grip held it in place with the slow driving but was no match for the 45 MPH speed limit of the main road in my neighborhood. I saw it in my rear view mirror as it flew off the top of my car at 45, hit the road, slide into a curb hard enough to knock it into the air, flip over several times and come to rest in the grass. Total damage to the phone? None. The case was a bit scratched up but that was it. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/6 "2015-08-19T22:44:18Z")
I got a Note 3 last year, and immediately put one of those screen protectors that is made of glass on it. I was mostly looking to avoid scratches, but I also liked the oleophobic qualities of the glass. Well, a month or so ago, I dropped the phone (which did have a case on it, by the way) and ONLY the screen protector cracked, if you can believe that. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/7 "2015-08-20T00:07:39Z")
Back when I got galaxy S5 I was at the store looking at them, and had pretty much decided on it before I walked in, but the damn sales minion had to stick his nose in and tell me about how strong the screen is blah blah blah. So I told him I’ll take it. 2 seconds later he’s pulling out the cases trying to scare me about how fragile the screen is without the having a case. I just started at him in disbelief and said “you JUST convinced me to buy this phone on the strength of the screen and now you are saying that was a lie? OR are you NOW lying about the cases?”. He just stammered a bit, but I let him off the hook and told him I was gonna buy one anyway, and no i don’t want a case. I really wanted his name to be Gil: “Now let’s talk about rustproofing. These Coleco’s will rust up on ya just like that…dammit Gil, close the deal!” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/8 "2015-08-20T00:33:29Z")
> [@Frazzled](#): > > … so I set my phone on the car to bring the trash can in. Then I drove off - forgetting the phone was on top of the car. … Best to not set stuff on a car. But if you must, set it on the hood directly in front of the driver’s seat. It’s real hard to drive off with your coffee, fast food, purse, child, or phone sitting there right in front of you obstructing your view of the road. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/9 "2015-08-20T00:48:23Z")
I care about the looks of the phone because I put a clear case on it. It’s shiny as hell, and still pretty in the case! I have hardwood floors at home, and cats. Any phone I have will hit the floor at least a few times a year. While I don’t have anything over the screen, I like a case over the rest to keep it looking perfect (with Androids, top resale when still looking brand new). The Gorilla Glass is strong, but why risk it hitting the ground on a corner just right? I’ve seen some damn sad janked-up screens in the last few years, mine’s not about to be one of them. **Quintas** , why don’t you just get another Nexus 5? ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/10 "2015-08-20T03:27:37Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I think those cases are a sham. I’ve never used one and have on many occasion dropped my phone. Dropped it bad enough for the back plate to pop off (along with the battery) and I have never had a cracked screen or any other issues with said phones. It’s a sham until it isn’t. I had dropped my phone a number of times without issue… until I faceplanted off a small half-step curb while holding my caseless S3 and cracked the screen. I wasn’t texting and walking, I just didn’t notice there was a step down. After that incident, I purchased a hard shell case with a rubber cover on Amazon. It was definitely worth the \<$10 pricetag. My phone couldn’t slip out of my hands anymore, even if it wanted to. Which happened often previously, due to my terminal butterfingers. [Here’s](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008APDZZO) the case I bought, it even has a kickstand 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/11 "2015-08-20T03:36:41Z")
I’m still hoping to find a rotary flip phone. ---
**Author:** ![Quintas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/48db29/32.png) [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/12 "2015-08-20T16:18:59Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > **Quintas** , why don’t you just get another Nexus 5? Impatient. I’d have to order online and didnt want to wait the day or 2 to get the phone. But yes I’m leaning in that direction. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/13 "2015-08-20T16:24:44Z")
> [@Quintas](#): > > So im in the store and would probably go for the Nexus 6 except I hate the trend of giant smartphones and the 6 is a monster. Isn’t it funny how a few years back, the advancement of technology demanded that we make phones smaller and smaller, and now they’re getting bigger? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/14 "2015-08-20T16:29:06Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I think those cases are a sham. I’ve never used one and have on many occasion dropped my phone. Dropped it bad enough for the back plate to pop off (along with the battery) and I have never had a cracked screen or any other issues with said phones. They are most certainly not. I put every bit of electronics I own in a case because I know I will drop them. Most phones and such are made of that slick black material which will slip right out of your hands. The case protects them - like someone else said, they are useless right up until they are useful. ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/15 "2015-08-20T16:35:29Z")
> [@Sarabellum1976](#): > > I got a Note 3 last year, and immediately put one of those screen protectors that is made of glass on it. I was mostly looking to avoid scratches, but I also liked the oleophobic qualities of the glass. > > Well, a month or so ago, I dropped the phone (which did have a case on it, by the way) and ONLY the screen protector cracked, if you can believe that. One of employees who must have the newest and best of everything, bought one of these glass screen protectors and less than 12 hours later something fell on it 😕and only the glass on the protector was shattered. Not a scratch on the actual phone. ---
**Author:** ![Sarabellum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarabellum/32/3492_2.png) [@Sarabellum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarabellum)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/16 "2015-08-22T18:21:32Z")
> [@Buttercup\_Smith](#): > > One of employees who must have the newest and best of everything, bought one of these glass screen protectors and less than 12 hours later something fell on it 😕and only the glass on the protector was shattered. Not a scratch on the actual phone. I guess I like to tell myself that if I hadn’t put the screen protector on, that maybe I’d have an ACTUAL cracked screen. Or at least an unsightly scratch. Because that means I didn’t waste my money on the screen protector. Right? Right? (Yea it’s probably a waste.) ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/17 "2015-08-23T01:22:55Z")
I don’t use a case for my cheap-ass pre-paid cell phone, and I _still_ don’t care what it looks like. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/18 "2015-08-23T01:58:03Z")
> [@Quintas](#): > > Impatient. > > I’d have to order online and didnt want to wait the day or 2 to get the phone. But yes I’m leaning in that direction. If you can find a cheap (free?) option to tide you over, the next Nexus is due to be announced imminently. Word on the street is there will be two, a large Huawei-made device, and a smaller LG-made device. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/19 "2015-08-23T02:28:10Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Isn’t it funny how a few years back, the advancement of technology demanded that we make phones smaller and smaller, and now they’re getting bigger? My coworker got the large iPhone 6 when it first came out, and put a pink case on it. It reminds me of a PopTart every time I see it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2015, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276/20 "2015-08-23T13:34:21Z")
People care what their phones look like? I’ve a case on mine because I wear it on a belt clip. I don’t have one of the bigger ones but it’s still to big to put in a pocket. And the case makes it easier to hold. My wife has a pinkish orange case on hers. I think it makes it easier to hold for her too. And it makes it easier to find. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-cares-what-the-phone-looks-like-everyones-gonna-slap-a-case-on-it-anyway/728276.md?page=2)