9 Reasons You Shouldn’t Use a Case or Screen Protector on Your iPhone
Credit: Thai Nguyen
Let's face it: we all want to protect our iPhones with screen protectors or cases. After all, no one wants their $800 investment to go to waste because they accidentally dropped their iPhone.
But what if we told you that you don't really need to use a screen protector? For the most part, your iPhone is fine without anything covering it, especially if it's a newer iPhone.
Of course, this might sound crazy at first, but it's actually quite true. It's time to set your iPhone free! Read on for nine reasons why your iPhone doesn't need a screen protector or even a case.
You Paid for AppleCare+
If you chose to pay for AppleCare+ when you purchased your new iPhone, the device is protected for 2-3 years under Apple's policy.
This first reason not to use an iPhone case is arguably the most important because you can get a screen replacement for under $30 when things go south and you break it.
To be sure you have AppleCare+ on your iPhone, type your serial number here to see the exact benefits you have.
You can also check in your iPhone Settings -> General -> About -> Coverage.
Your AppleCare+ coverage generally includes the following benefits:
1) Accidental Damage - Unlimited repairs for accidental damage
2) Hardware Service - iPhone, battery & included accessories
3) Express Replacement
4) Priority Access
Newer iPhones Are a Lot Tougher Than You Think
If you have a newer iPhone, you don't really need to worry that much about dropping it.
That's because Apple introduced a new protection called Ceramic Shield. This basically means that the glass on the front of your iPhone is way tougher than it used to be.
Apple claims the Ceramic Shiled makes the iPhone up to four times more resistant than older iPhones. And many people have tested this claim. While we don't know if it's actually four times more resistant, there's no doubt that modern iPhones are really tough to break.
So, if you have an iPhone 12 or newer model — excluding the iPhone SE — you don't really need to worry about dropping your iPhone. You can use it without a case or screen protector, and you should be fine for the most part.
Your Case Might Cause More Harm Than Good
Depending on the case you're using and where you live, it could cause more trouble to your iPhone than it's worth.
The reason is that your iPhone's case might cause it to get hot while you're charging it. This might not seem like much, but if you constantly charge your iPhone at high temperatures, you can damage its battery permanently, which is way worse than dropping your iPhone.
If your case is actually making your iPhone warmer, it's best to remove it. You can always find a different case to use, but it would be a better idea to charge your iPhone — and use it — without a case.
Cases Collect a Lot of Dust
It's been said many times that your phone has more bacteria than a public bathroom, and that's without a case. Imagine how dirty your iPhone can get when you keep it inside a case for a really long time.
While the iPhone is dust-resistant, that can still affect it in the long run. Likewise, it can also affect you and your respiratory system if you aren't careful.
It's not true of all cases, but many can collect a lot of dust if you leave them on for a very long time. If you don't clean your iPhone regularly (which you should), then you're just making it dirtier than it already is just by using a case.
A Case and Screen Protector Make Your iPhone Bulkier
One of the greatest things about the iPhone is how slim it is. You can carry it with you without even noticing it. You can also put it in your bag or purse and won't even feel the weight.
On the other hand, if you use a screen protector or a case, your iPhone might start to get bulkier. You might start to feel the weight, and it might even feel uncomfortable to hold for a very long time.
If you don't want to carry a lot of excess weight in your pocket, it's best to use your iPhone without any case.
It's Easier to Use Your iPhone Without a Case
Some rugged cases are so big that it makes it difficult to use the external controls on your iPhone. For instance, getting at the switch or the volume buttons can feel nearly impossible with a really thick iPhone case.
Not only that, but you may not be able to reliably use the iPhone's Back Tap feature, which lets you tap the back of your iPhone twice or three times and trigger an action automatically.
If you're struggling with using any of these controls, it might be time to say goodbye to your case.
Not Using a Case Makes Wireless Charging Easier
One of the biggest features modern iPhones have is the ability to use MagSafe to wirelessly charge your iPhone. This feature is handy and pretty cool, but it sometimes gets interrupted by your case.
Likewise, a big case won't let you use MagSafe properly, which means you can't add an extra wallet, battery pack, or any other MagSafe accessory. Not only will you need to have a case that supports MagSafe, but you'll also need to make sure that it actually works on your iPhone.
Granted, if you have an official Apple case, you shouldn't have any issues with MagSafe. However, the problem with Apple's own cases is that they don't offer that much protection against drops, making them unnecessary to begin with.
If you're using a bulkier case, you might not be able to use MagSafe at all, which isn't worth it, especially considering that your iPhone is tough to break.
Cases Look Worse in the Long Run
Some cases don't last very long. Even if you buy a case from Apple, the MagSafe cases tend to wear and tear pretty fast — much faster than the glass and metal finish on your iPhone would. Considering how expensive they are, it just doesn't feel like getting a case is worth it at all.
In the end, you'll be walking around with an ugly-looking case that's not really protecting your iPhone. The same goes for the screen protector if it starts to crack for no apparent reason — as many do.
Your iPhone Looks Way Cooler Without a Case
One of the biggest reasons why people choose an iPhone over an Android is because of how cool it looks.
Apple has spent a lot of time working on the iPhone's design to make it look and feel premium. It fits right in your hand, and it feels really nice to hold. After all, if you're spending money to buy a $1,000 phone, you'll surely want to feel that way.
Unfortunately, no matter how light and thin your case is, it just doesn't feel the same as an uncased iPhone. Plus, if you're using a thin case so you can make your iPhone feel and look good, then that case isn't really doing its job anyway.