Why you should never use your phone without a case (seriously!)

One of the most startling moments is watching your smartphone crash to the ground. You turn it quickly and pray it doesn’t crack. However, aside from accidental drops, there are other reasons why you should never use your phone without a case.

1 Accidental damage coverage does not cover everyday wear and tear

No matter how careful you are with your phone, you never know when bad luck will strike you. Accidental damage coverage like AppleCare+ or Samsung Care+ protects your device from unexpected events like drops, spills or cracked screens. However, it does not cover cosmetic damage such as minor scratches, scuffs or wear and tear such as battery degradation that naturally occurs through regular use.

While accidental damage coverage will come in handy if you crack your device’s screen after it slips out of your hands, it won’t help you if the screen gets scratched from your keys or your phone gets scratched. So the best way to protect your device from everyday wear and tear is to never use it without a case.

2 Cases protect your phone from accidental exposure to water

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One thing the tech giants haven’t quite mastered yet is creating fully waterproof devices. At the time of writing, most high-end smartphones have an IP68 rating, but that doesn’t mean they’re waterproof.

According to the Ingress Protection code, these phones can survive immersion in 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. But that’s just how waterproof these devices are – not waterproof. This means that unexpected spills or exposure to other liquids such as coffee or soda can still cause damage.

There are waterproof cases designed for swimming and other water activities, but they are usually not designed for everyday use. While a regular silicone case or hard shell case can’t make your phone waterproof, it does provide a solid layer of protection against accidental spills, spills, and even light rain. They prevent water from immediately reaching the openings of your device, such as the charging or SIM card slot.

3 The resale value of your phone may be affected

Whether you upgrade your phone every year or want to keep it longer, you usually have two options when it’s time to say goodbye to your old phone: sell it or trade it in to save money for your new phone.

Even if you don’t care too much about minor scratches and scuffs on the front and back screen of your device, it can affect the resale value of your device. Buyers typically expect devices to be in near mint condition, and minor cosmetic damage or even the fact that you’ve had your phone repaired could potentially affect its resale value.

For example, I tried using Apple’s Trade In tool to get an estimate, and after selecting an iPhone model, I was asked if it was in good condition. When I clicked Noan additional question appeared: “Is the body of your iPhone in good condition?” After selection No Apple informed me again that my device is not eligible for a gift card but can be recycled. This basically meant that my counter value would be $0!

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While Apple may accept your device if you’ve 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 The case provides a better grip

I’ve lost count of the number of times my iPhone has slipped right out of my hands and onto the floor. While the front screen survived many of these falls, the internal components were not so 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 main reasons you should never use your phone without a case is the better grip it provides. Given how sleek smartphones are today, a firmer grip makes it less likely to slip out of your hand and you’ll feel more secure in everyday use. This can be especially useful when texting while walking or taking selfies with one hand.

While technology companies are constantly focusing their efforts on improving the durability of their devices, a drop from the right angle or even a small impact can still cause serious damage. So it’s always better to be safe than sorry!