One of the most heart-stopping moments is watching your smartphone tumble to the ground. You quickly flip it over, praying it hasn’t cracked. However, besides accidental drops, there are other reasons why you should never use your phone without a case.
1 Accidental Damage Coverage Doesn’t Cover Everyday Wear and Tear
No matter how careful you are with your phone, you never know when bad luck strikes. Accidental damage coverage, like AppleCare+ or Samsung Care+, protects your device against unexpected incidents like drops, spills, or cracked screens. However, it doesn’t cover cosmetic damage, such as minor scratches, scuffs, or wear and tear, like battery degradation, that naturally occurs from regular use.
While accidental damage coverage will come in handy if you crack your device’s screen after it slips from your hands, it will be of no help if the screen gets scratched by your keys or if there are scuff marks on your phone. So, the best way to protect your device against everyday wear and tear is to never use it without a case.
2 Cases Shield Your Phone From Accidental Water Exposure
One thing tech giants haven’t quite nailed is creating fully waterproof devices. At the time of writing, most high-end smartphones feature an IP68 rating, but that doesn’t make them waterproof.
As per the Ingress Protection code, these phones can survive being submerged in 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. But, that’s just how water-resistant these devices are—not waterproof. This means that unexpected spills or exposure to other liquids, like coffee or soda, could still cause damage.
There are waterproof cases designed for swimming and other water-based activities, but they’re typically not designed for everyday use. While a regular silicone or hard shell case can’t make your phone waterproof, it provides a solid layer of protection against accidental splashes, spills, and even light rain. They keep water from immediately reaching your device’s openings, like the charging or the SIM card slot.
3 Your Phone’s Resale Value Could Take a Hit
Whether you upgrade your phone every year or you prefer to hold onto it longer, you typically have two options when it’s time to part with your old phone: sell it or trade it in to save money on your new phone.
While you may not care too much about slight scratches and scuffs on your device’s front and back screens, it may impact your device’s resale value. Buyers typically expect devices to be in near-mint condition, and minor cosmetic damage or even the fact that you got your phone repaired could potentially affect its resale value.
For instance, I tried using Apple’s Trade In tool to get an estimate, and after selecting my iPhone model, I was asked if it was in good condition. When I clicked No, a follow-up question appeared: “Is the body of your iPhone in good shape?” After selecting No again, Apple informed me that my device didn’t qualify for a gift card but could instead be recycled. Essentially, this meant that my trade-in value would be $0!
While Apple may accept your device if you had it repaired at an official store, it’s clear that cosmetic damage can potentially affect your phone’s trade-in potential. In some cases, it could even disqualify your phone from certain buyback programs, leaving you with even fewer options to cash in on your device.
4 A Case Provides a Better Grip
I’ve lost count of how many times my iPhone slipped right out of my hands and onto the floor. While the front screen has survived many of those falls, the internal components haven’t been as lucky. For example, after a fall, my iPhone X’s antenna was damaged, and it refused to connect to Wi-Fi unless I was sitting right next to the router.
Take my experience as a lesson: one of the top reasons you should never use your phone without a case is the enhanced grip it provides. With how sleek smartphones are nowadays, a firmer grip makes it much less likely to slip out of your hand and feel more secure during everyday use. This can be especially helpful when you’re texting while walking or taking a selfie with one hand.
While tech companies are consistently directing their efforts toward improving the durability of their devices, a drop from the right angle or even a small bump can still cause serious damage. So, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
