If you’re planning to buy a new iPhone, or if you already own one, you may have questioned whether you need a case and screen protector for it. Of course, you want to keep your iPhone well protected, but you don’t want to waste money on these accessories if they aren’t essential.
We’ll look at the pros and cons of using an iPhone case and screen protector so you can decide what’s best for you.
Do You Need to Protect Your iPhone?
There’s no simple answer to this question because it depends on how you treat and use your devices. The iPhone is an expensive device and is made of high quality materials. It should survive most everyday impacts, but it will still break if you drop it from a reasonable height onto a hard surface.
If you rarely dropped your previous phones, and they never get a lot of scratches, you might be better off enjoying your iPhone without a case or screen protector. This will save you some money, but will also mean you get to enjoy the sleek design of a bare iPhone.
On the other hand, if you frequently drop or scratch your phones, then a case and screen protector is definitely the best option. Your experience won’t be the same as when you use a naked iPhone, but at least you won’t have to worry about dropping it all the time.
Another option if you’re accident prone is to look into AppleCare+. This is a service offered by Apple that works like insurance. You can choose to pay a monthly fee or pay for the service for two years upfront. Then you can get accidental damage repaired at an Apple Store at a fraction of the cost of regular repairs (though it still isn’t free).
This is a great alternative for those who don’t like cases or screen protectors, but are worried about their iPhone breaking.
Reasons Why You Should Use a Case and Screen Protector
If you’re still undecided, here are all the reasons why you should definitely invest in a case and screen protector for your iPhone.
You’re Accident Prone
With a case and screen protector, your iPhone is much better protected if you accidentally drop it. That means you’re far less likely to need to pay for a costly repair or screen replacement. In most cases, you will probably only need to replace the case or screen protector if they get damaged.
You Want a High Resale Value
Another reason to protect your iPhone is that you want to keep its resale value high. The iPhone retains its value over time much better than other smartphones. But this resale value remains even higher if you keep your iPhone in perfect condition by using a case and screen protector.
You Can’t Afford an Expensive Repair
Repairing an iPhone is expensive. If you own an iPhone 13 Pro and need to replace the screen, you’ll have to pay $279. If you need to replace other components, expect to pay up to $549. You may want to avoid all chance of paying that, so spending $10 to $20 on a case could save you hundreds of dollars in the future.
You Want to Customize Your iPhone
Using a case offers great customization options. When you buy an iPhone, Apple lets you choose between a few colors, but once you choose one, you’re stuck with it until you buy another device, even if you don’t like that color anymore. However, you can always buy different cases to change the style of your iPhone; there are even websites that let you personalize your phone case.
Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use a Case and Screen Protector
Of course, not everybody needs (or wants) to pay for a case and screen protector. So here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t use a case and screen protector for your iPhone.
You’ve Spent Enough Already
You’ve already spent a lot of money on your iPhone, but adding a case and screen protector to that purchase will inflate the cost even more. Sure, it might save you some money down the road, but if you never drop your iPhone, then you’ve spent more money now and saved nothing.
You Want to Enjoy the iPhone as It Is
The iPhone is a premium device, made of high-quality materials with a stunning design. If you bought it because you like how it looks, why would you cover it up with a case and screen protector. If you want to feel the metal beneath your fingers and enjoy the design, you need to use your iPhone as it is.
You Want Your Better Cooling
Another reason why you may want to avoid iPhone cases is that they usually prevent your phone from cooling down as efficiently. iPhones are made of aluminum or stainless steel. Those two materials dissipate heat quite quickly. However, if you put layers of materials like silicone or leather on top with a case then it can’t dissipate heat as well. Your iPhone may overheat as a result.
This also happens with screen protectors. All displays emit heat, and an extra layer of glass on top complicates the cooling process and can cause your iPhone to overheat.
You Want to Eliminate Waste
We produce millions of phone cases every year, and many of them are made of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials. Not buying a case helps reduce waste and protect the environment. If enough people stop buying cases, manufacturers will produce less, and that’s good for the planet.
You Want the Fastest Wireless Charging
Some cases are thicker than average, and if they aren’t made using the right materials, that can cause problems with wireless charging on your iPhone. While this isn’t a huge problem since you can remove the case if you want to charge your phone wirelessly, you should still be aware of it. If you have MagSafe accessories, they may also stop working if you don’t use a MagSafe-compatible case.
Of course, using high-quality or official cases won’t cause any problems with MagSafe accessories or wireless charging.
Make the Most Out of Your iPhone
When you spend a lot of money on a device, it’s only logical that you want to get the most out of it. Using a case and screen protector may not allow you to enjoy the design of your iPhone to the fullest, but it might mean you get to keep your iPhone alive for as long as possible.
Not using a case or screen protector may improve the experience, but if it will cause you to constantly worry about your iPhone then it probably isn’t worth it.