Using an iPhone 4/4S without a case?

Sad Professor

I hate cases. Hate them! I never bothered with one for my 3GS, which is now almost 2 years old and has barely a scratch on it. However, I’m getting a 4S soon and I’m weighing up whether to get a case or not. I’m concerned that the iPhone 4 design is more fragile. The glass back seems particularly vulnerable compared to the 3GS.

Any thoughts on this?

aidan_walsh

I'll be getting myself a 4S when Meteor get them back in stock online, and plan on not using a case. I generally keep the phone in a pocket by itself, and have nearly no scratches on my 3GS front face after 2 years of use. I'll be doing much the same with the 4S.

jc84

to be honest i'd definitely get a case or bumper, when i got my iPhone 4 i was so careful but still managed to get it scratched, the glass shows scratches up quite bad, i hated covers too but i got a black bumper with a see through back on it and actually prefer it now
and if it gets dropped it can get easily damaged without a case

CathalDublin

Hate covers too, the 4/s is deffinitely more fragile though.
I've been using one of these the past 14months and haven't broken anything yet

Just remember the buttons on the 4 and 4s are differently positioned so a 4 bumper will not fit a 4s

Sad Professor

I don't mind scratches too much, and the chances of me dropping it are slim. I think my main worry would be the glass back getting smashed while in my pocket, which the bumper obviously wouldn't protect against. But maybe I'm overestimating how fragile the back is.

Do you get many iPhones with smashed backs being brought into you, Cathal?

CathalDublin

I get a few, not many in fairness, Maybe 2 or 3 a month, where as I get about 4+ a week with broken fronts.
The back is much tougher than the front for whatever reason, its always people dropping it on tiles that breaks the back.
It'll be fine in your pocket

Gumbo

CathalDublin wrote: »

Hate covers too, the 4/s is deffinitely more fragile though.
I've been using one of these the past 14months and haven't broken anything yet

Just remember the buttons on the 4 and 4s are differently positioned so a 4 bumper will not fit a 4s

Just bought one there.

biko

I just use bestskinsever on my phone, never a bother with that stuff.

aidan_walsh

Just remember the buttons on the 4 and 4s are differently positioned so a 4 bumper will not fit a 4s

Apple typically don't tend to keep large backlogs of stock, preferring to build only enough to clear off the shelves within a couple of weeks. With the Verizon iPhone launched last February, the bumpers were redesigned to take both button configurations into account since there were only minor differences. Any bumpers sold since then will happily fit either model of 4 and the 4S.

The only way you might get caught out on this is by buying from eBay or similar and end up with an older version.

Harcrid

I had this dilemma with my iPhone 4 when I bought it first. I decided I had to get a cover, the main reason being that they are so slippery in your hands when you pull them out of your pocket that it would be so easy to have it fly through the air while you watch in desperation!

Eire Go Brach

I hate covers. I got a screen and back protector and a type of bumper. Hopefully they will absorb the shock a bit. If I ever drop them.

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

murpho999

Also hate covers.

iPhone's are a beautiful design and I love the solid feel of the phone in my hand putting a crappy cheap cover on then.

Now have a 4s, but had a 3gs for over 2 years without cover, it was fine even though I dropped it a couple of times.

pogsick

I have my iPhone 4 since launch, have dropped it multiple times both front and back, onto tiles and concrete amongst others and only a small barely noticeable scratch on the back all while never having used a cover/bumper/skin

nightster1

Sad Professor wrote: »

I hate cases. Hate them! I never bothered with one for my 3GS, which is now almost 2 years old and has barely a scratch on it. However, I’m getting a 4S soon and I’m weighing up whether to get a case or not. I’m concerned that the iPhone 4 design is more fragile. The glass back seems particularly vulnerable compared to the 3GS.

Any thoughts on this?[/QUOT

I don't like covering the the stylish iphone, but, remember its just glass on the back and front separated by a metal rim. Not good in a fall!

Mr Velo

Would definitely recommend one of these: http://goo.gl/92UAt

I've had one on my iPhone 4 since February - no issues. It doesn't ruin the appearance of the phone, the apple logo at the back can still be seen (i notice the newer versions don't have this cut out anymore though).

Without the case on, i find the phone can slip from my hand a lot easier - but with the rubbery finish on the case this isn't an issue.

efb

I got a Moshi cover (not the monsters) for my 4s from www.mytechfriends.co.uk

It's high end and I really like it- I was asked why I wouldn't get a cheap one- you wouldn't wear a prada dress with a penny's handbag- I like my tech and want it to look good

Rob C

The Invisible Shields are excellent. Cover the front and the back and you can't see them and they really protect the glass from any scratches.

Zagg make them and they also make cool covers that don't take away from the phone. I got this cool American football cover for mine. Covers the back and sides and have an invisible shield on the front.

It's cool, it's the real leather, even smells like it! You can also get baseball or basketball ones. Gives it a unique look and they are great to hold.

JoeA3

I have an iPhone 4 almost a year and have never had a cover on it. Hate them. Apart from barely visible hairline scratches, the phone looks good as new. I liken these cheap covers to the 1980's fad of leaving the plastic on your new car seats!

eeloe

I had a white iPhone 4 without a cover and it was perfect when I gave It to my dad.

My black 4s however, finger prints, hairline scratches and the things only a few weeks old.

I've since installed a gizmobies skin and a bumper and I 100% happy that it's not fully protected!

Creamy Goodness

have never used a cover on my iphone first gen, 3g s, iphone 4 or my iphone 4s.

i hate them with a passion even the slimmest of covers are too bulky and take away all those countless hours that jonny ive and his team have spent perfecting the product.

currently i'm not using anything but if i was to i'd use a thin plastic invisible shield but this will only really protect against scratches. my phone is always in one of two places, 1. my pocket, 2. my desk so it would be a rare occasion that i would drop it actually i can't remember dropping any phone since my SE k750i which was my 2nd last phone before i went to iphone on the US launch day of the first gen.

opinion guy

I'm waiting on an iphone 4s to come from Apple. Never had an iphone before, and although I like my android - I'm simply bored with it and wanted to try something new.

I'm getting a white 4s. So what should I do - cover, bumper, skins ???

Do skins make the screen a little darker - certainly on my android they did.

I am planning that if iphone 5 comes out I want to be able to sell 4s so I want to keep it in top nick.

I didn't order the apple bumper as I feel the price is a ripoff.

fugee

Plenty of phone shops on Talbot Street in town. the one I went to had about 20 different ip4 covers. None for the 4s as the mute switch is in a different place, but I went for a black TPU case anyway.

They let you look and handle each one so it was good that way rather than wait for one from China or amazon and have no idea what it was like.

It cost be a tenner but you could probably get it online for 2 quid, but considering the money the phone is worth not going to wait a couple of weeks for delivery.

jarvis

No cover is like sex without a condom. You might prefer it and you might take a chance and not get caught out 9 out of 10 times but that one time is enough to ruin your life. Just because you haven't caught an std in the past doesn't mean you won't catch one in the future. Be careful lads, it's a dangerous world out there so cover up.

Mary28

I've got small kids and I'm definitely getting a case. I'm picking up the phone tomorrow and thinking of getting this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-Survivor-Military-Tested-iPhone/dp/B004R97CXI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322782967&sr=1-1

It says it's for iphone 4/4S - are both phones identical? Will a case that fits the 4 fit the 4S?

discombobulate

The back is cheap enough to replace if needs be anyway and also simple to do.

discombobulate

Mary28 wrote: »

I've got small kids and I'm definitely getting a case. I'm picking up the phone tomorrow and thinking of getting this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-Survivor-Military-Tested-iPhone/dp/B004R97CXI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322782967&sr=1-1

It says it's for iphone 4/4S - are both phones identical? Will a case that fits the 4 fit the 4S?

Their not completely identical but it should be fine. You'll be well protected with that one by the looks of it!!

Mary28

Cheers discombobulate. I'll ask in the shop about it today too. I bought the ipad2 version of that cover last night on Amazon but was afraid to get the iphone one in case it didn't fit.
We are very accident prone in this house unfortunately.

Gumbo

CathalDublin wrote: »

Hate covers too, the 4/s is deffinitely more fragile though.
I've been using one of these the past 14months and haven't broken anything yet

Just remember the buttons on the 4 and 4s are differently positioned so a 4 bumper will not fit a 4s

Bought one of these this week. Delighted with the bumper. i now have a selection of cases to suit my mood.................How gay am i

Bad point - with the bumper on, the charger wont fit in though, so i have to remove the bumper each time i want to charge and i just know thats gona wear out my screen protector

CathalDublin

kceire wrote: »

Bought one of these this week. Delighted with the bumper. i now have a selection of cases to suit my mood.................How gay am i

Bad point - with the bumper on, the charger wont fit in though, so i have to remove the bumper each time i want to charge and i just know thats gona wear out my screen protector

The official sync cables that are delivered with the iphone4 fit, i've some here

This one


Not this one

ryaner777

It's making me cringe the tought of all those nice new phones being dropped and not having any covers or anything on them. I'd be gutted if i smashed mine.

I got a case in heatons for €3 and it fits perfectly and also screen protectors are 2 for €2 in euro shops everywhere.

They might not be up to the level of some online but for €1 each they do the job nicely

Gumbo

CathalDublin wrote: »

The official sync cables that are delivered with the iphone4 fit, i've some here

This one


Not this one

I'll try when i get home Cathal. judging the picture you have posted, the one i have in work is a copy!!!!

Many thanks, BTW, delighted with the case

loinnsigh

Not a fan of covers myself, but had to get one as I have a fierce habit of dropping phones.. Having a cover has saved my iPhone many many times already.

My pet hate though is screen protectors - no matter what one I've tried, it always affects the responsiveness of the touchscreen. So I don't bother anymore. I have no scratches on my screen yet and I've had the phone for over a year now. The key bit of advice here (for blokes anyway) is: don't put anything else in the same pocket as your phone.

GekkePrutser

I think a case is a must for the iPhone 4, because of the death grip problem. The 4S doesn't suffer from this as much.

In terms of durability, I've dropped my first-gen iPhone on concrete several times over the 4 years I've had it, and it never really scratched or broke. I had one tiny hairline scratch next to the speaker but none on the visible area. I was pretty amazed, especially the one time it slid several metres down a concrete slope with the screen facing down. And I didn't have a screen protector on it.

But I've heard the iPhone 4/4S glass is a bit thinner so they could get the weight and thickness down. It might not be as durable.

soundsham

loinnsigh wrote: »

Not a fan of covers myself, but had to get one as I have a fierce habit of dropping phones.. Having a cover has saved my iPhone many many times already.

My pet hate though is screen protectors - no matter what one I've tried, it always affects the responsiveness of the touchscreen. So I don't bother anymore. I have no scratches on my screen yet and I've had the phone for over a year now. The key bit of advice here (for blokes anyway) is: don't put anything else in the same pocket as your phone.

Zagg invisible shield is an excellent screen protector
http://www.zagg.com/
The trick is putting it on and leaving it overnight before using it ,I have put it on a few peoples devices for them since
It's brill
I could have sandpaper stanleys or various other tools iny pockets never mind keys or coins ( I know most people don't carry this kind of crap ! ) and I never ever had a problem
Also use an otterbox commuter case that is excellent
P.S. I work in construction so it's probably overkill .......

Dellboy2007

What's the story with buying an iphone 4s on billpay on meteor? When are they getting them in again? Trying to get through to meteor customer care is like phoning the White House.

whiterebel

Dellboy2007 wrote: »

What's the story with buying an iphone 4s on billpay on meteor? When are they getting them in again? Trying to get through to meteor customer care is like phoning the White House.

Wrong thread

Dellboy2007

For the bother you went to in writing that, could you not have given advice or pointed me to the right thread.

Cheers....

iggy

I hate using covers but I found this one that I like and doesn't make the phone ugly or bulky.
I bought it from adverts for a tenner

Ya-Boy-Ya

This is the best cover on the market.... I know its pricey but when u think of the price its protecting its well worth it.
Ive dropped my phone numerous times and its save me a fortune.

http://goincase.com/products/detail/pro-slider-case-cl59888

princemuzzy

my 4 got a hell of a lot of abuse no case dropped its numerous times only a few light scratch's however my wife had hers 5 days dropped it completely crack the back glass housing ...... id get a case mate

skimpydoo

I have the case below in white for my white iPhone.

http://www.myincipio.com/iPhone-4-4S-Cases-Accessories/Incipio-iPhone-4-4S-offGRID-Backup-Battery-Case-1450mAh.asp

The built in battery is a great.

pleasant Co.

Ya-Boy-Ya wrote: »

This is the best cover on the market.... I know its pricey but when u think of the price its protecting its well worth it.
Ive dropped my phone numerous times and its save me a fortune.

http://goincase.com/products/detail/pro-slider-case-cl59888

Why is it the best cover on the market?

Sad Professor

I can't see myself using it much, but I may get a case just for when I'm in work. I do have the phone in my pocket and I can easily see myself smashing it off something. Considering either the Incase Slider or the Snap Case.

antodeco

kceire wrote: »

I'll try when i get home Cathal. judging the picture you have posted, the one i have in work is a copy!!!!

Many thanks, BTW, delighted with the case

Some of my chargers don't fit, some do. It is kinda annoying, but as Cathal said, the genuine ones work a treat.

besty

I have to say that I initially didn't want to get a cover for my new 4S but I splashed out on a speck one in the Apple store in Belfast over the weekend and I'm delighted with it.

opinion guy

Ronan Leonard wrote: »

I have the case below in white for my white iPhone.

http://www.myincipio.com/iPhone-4-4S-Cases-Accessories/Incipio-iPhone-4-4S-offGRID-Backup-Battery-Case-1450mAh.asp

The built in battery is a great.

Hey Ronan I was thinking about one of these cases. Questons:
1. Where did you get it ?
2. Does it add much size to the phone ?
3. How long does the extra battery last
4. Does it properly fit the 4s buttons etc ?
5. Would a black case work with a white phone ? (aesthetically I mean!)