I don’t use one. They make the iPhone, one of the most sleek and beautifully designed artifacts of modern life, into a big ugly thing. I wish that Apple had made the iPhone 6 a little less slippery–indeed, the iPhone 5 was a lot easier to hold–but so far I haven’t dropped it in a way that damaged the phone.
But some annoying people give me a lot of flak for not using a protective case.
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Lion of the Blogosphere 
Interesting that people give you grief for not using a case because from what I’ve read, rolling with no protection is actually a status marker. It signals that you are rich enough to not give a fuck if you damage your iPhone for you’ll just get another one.
Now if you roll around with a naked iPhone with a shattered screen, that is prole as it shows you are nursing it till your upgrade comes around.
Simba of the Blogosphere
April 3, 2017 at 8:29 PM
I remember reading a little quip by @gselevator who joked about a subset of the populations who would be horrified about carrying their precious iphones without a case but can be easily persuaded to go raw & condomless for casual sex.
Actually all too easy to picture these folks…
Thin-Skinned Masta-Beta
April 4, 2017 at 3:07 AM
I can’t believe the proles here haven’t mentioned the utmost in elegance for mobile phone accessories….
The belt holster case…
Thin-Skinned Masta-Beta
April 5, 2017 at 12:44 AM
My first iPhone, a 3s, had a highly polished convex back tending to launch the phone out of my hand like a wet bar of soap. Newer ones aren’t so bad in that respect.
Anthony
April 3, 2017 at 8:30 PM
I have dropped iphones many times without breaking them. I agree that no case is a status marker. It is only $100 to get the screen fixed and I have only needed to do this once in 8 years.
Pop
April 3, 2017 at 9:17 PM
I don’t use one. They make the iPhone, one of the most sleek and beautifully designed artifacts of modern life, into a big ugly thing. I wish that Apple had made the iPhone 6 a little less slippery–indeed, the iPhone 5 was a lot easier to hold–but so far I haven’t dropped it in a way that damaged the phone.
Exactly how I think about iPhones.
But some annoying people give me a lot of flak for not using a protective case.
You need to learn how to tell people off.
The Undiscovered Jew
April 3, 2017 at 9:24 PM
I would recommend getting the cheapest possible laptops and phones that get the job done, and treating them as disposable.
I’ve had three phones lost or stolen, and made the mistake of buying a real expensive laptop, only to see it having power supply problems within the first 6 months. If I could have done it over again I’d have just saved the money so I could throw it in a ditch when it got too troublesome.
But then again I travel a lot, so the average person might not run into the amount of difficulties I typically run into. And I don’t have the option to take it back to the point of sale to take advantage of warranties and suchlike.
Fact Checker
April 3, 2017 at 9:32 PM
I bought at 500.00 laptop and it’s falling apart after 2 years. That’s why I am looking at 200.00 Chromebooks.
I wish I wouldn’t have to even think about photo or video storage for the CB or laptop because I will rarely use, but I get caught up into thinking about that.
ttgy
April 4, 2017 at 12:09 AM
Macbooks are built a lot better than cheap Windows laptops, that’s for sure.
Lion of the Blogosphere
April 4, 2017 at 12:18 AM
There is a Macbook Air 13.3 inch on sale for 800.00. Maybe I should get that if it will last 7-8 years.
ttgy
April 4, 2017 at 12:30 AM
I never used one either, and my phone (the 4) has cracked glass all over and now the ringer won’t work, vibration only.
Explainer 21
April 3, 2017 at 10:01 PM
It’s time to upgrade that iPhone 4.
Lion of the Blogosphere
April 3, 2017 at 10:24 PM
When my iPhone 4 case broke, I didn’t replace it. It seemed so much nicer without. However, I have a spigen case on my iPhone 6 that I really like. It gives a nice sturdy grip and looks good.
steve@steve.com
April 3, 2017 at 10:09 PM
I think this is pretty weird to even be thinking of a cell phone case as signaling lack of status. Lion, you live in a sick and phony world. I’m so happy to have nothing to do with it. I don’t even know if what you are saying is true. It may all be in your head.
I mean you are really trying to impress people with a ‘naked’ phone? This is very stupid.
Yakov
April 3, 2017 at 11:08 PM
It was someone else who said it’s high status to not have a phone case. I just hate them because they ruin the phone experience.
Lion of the Blogosphere
April 3, 2017 at 11:22 PM
OK, my bad.
Yakov
April 3, 2017 at 11:48 PM
Cellphone case aside, Yakov makes a valid point. Preoccupation with status is a form of mental illness.
destructure
April 4, 2017 at 10:27 AM
If that’s the case, then all humans are mentally ill.
As far as blogging about it often, having consistent topics you write about is smart for attracting readers.
Lion of the Blogosphere
April 4, 2017 at 10:28 AM
I don’t think most people are preoccupied with status.
destructure
April 4, 2017 at 11:32 AM
They are, they just don’t realize it because it’s a subconscious preoccupation.
Lion of the Blogosphere
April 4, 2017 at 11:58 AM
Most humans are deranged, which is the reason why many sci-fi shows are about eliminating mankind.
JS
April 4, 2017 at 9:41 PM
Anyone who owns a business and services clients, understand that humans are irrational. Essentially, their behavior is paranormal.
JS
April 5, 2017 at 8:44 AM
Just saw a line of solar powered central ACs by LENOX. Now this can be a status symbol. Like a dude can go to a girl: ‘Baby, I control my solar powered AC from my’ naked’ iphone’. I think this is pretty cool.
Yakov
April 3, 2017 at 11:57 PM
Lenox makes china. AC’s are made by Lennox.
Mel Belli
April 4, 2017 at 8:28 PM
I wish Apple wouldn’t put designed in America and built in China or whatever it says on it. It looks terrible.
They also shouldn’t put the FCC markings on it.
Even I-phone isn’t needed, just the Apple logo.
I do really like the SE because of it’s size and it looks good. I don’t need it but wouldn’t mind buying it, I wonder if they will come out with an SE2.
I probably could get by with 32 GB, but then I think what if I need 128 some day, maybe I should get that.It’s 500.00 for the 128gb. Seems a bit much.
Apple should shorten the bezel a bit.
Some people want 3 sizes of I- phone all with the same spec. 4 inch, 5 and 6 inch display.
I thing the S8 looks good too,
ttgy
April 4, 2017 at 12:18 AM
You don’t need more than 32 GB unless you plan on loading up the phone with a huge amount of music files, or if you take a lot of photos and don’t believe in ever transferring them off the iPhone.
I’m just below using up 32 GB on my iPhone, but there’s a lot of crap on there I could delete.
Lion of the Blogosphere
April 4, 2017 at 12:24 AM
How many hours of video can you get in 15 gb? I am thinking 3 hours. I ask that knowing that i will rarely take that much in videos. I plan for something that I might do once. My last vacation i took about 4 hours of video and that was a lot. I guess I could download video off the phone at night.
I do like using a video recorder though because you can hold it easier. I have an old, but very good Panasonic video recorder but is uses tapes so I have to transfer the tapes onto a computer if I want to reuse them. I don’t know if they are even making them anymore so I’d have to reuse them.
Maybe I should just get a Sony Handycam on sale for 180.00. How would a Handycam stack up against the I-phone SE video camera?
ttgy
April 4, 2017 at 12:48 AM
I don’t know anything about video, but certainly the standalone cam will allow you to swap out SD cards and have infinite storage. With 64GB SD cards selling for as little as $17, that’s a lot less expensive than Apple built-in storage.
Lion of the Blogosphere
April 4, 2017 at 10:35 AM
The movies I download tend to be less than 500meg. 15 gig would be 30 movies at an hour and a half each. So I’d guess you could get 45 hours of video. However, your video format might not be as efficient. I don’t know much about that sort of thing.
destructure
April 4, 2017 at 8:12 PM
This is the worst thing you have ever posted. You are basically encouraging people to not use a case for their iPhone.
An iPhone cost over $700, you must use a case to improve it’s chances of surviving long time.
Otis the Sweaty
April 4, 2017 at 2:11 AM
I’m not telling anyone what do to. I’m just saying what I hate.
Lion of the Blogosphere
April 4, 2017 at 9:25 AM
The Lion at the Gates of Antioch, 1098:
“Zounds, but mail is uncomfortable, and thine aketon has been besmirched by many a louse and clod of mud! Man is the measure of all things, and tis a sin to cover up the human form in all such frumpery! Thus far neither mace, nor glaive, nor Saracen shaft has found mine breast, methinks my fellows fear overmuch for their flesh and bones.”
Gozo
April 4, 2017 at 10:11 AM
But some annoying people give me a lot of flak for not using a protective case.
So, you do have a girlfriend? Or is it a sister?
Curle
April 4, 2017 at 5:08 AM
Haters hate the ZFG, Lion.
I use a Speck Candyshell iPhone case for my 5s because I’m the practical, relatively frugal, in an upper middle class kind of way, beta provider.
IMO, a cell phone should be able to survive unscathed a 4ft drop onto a concrete surface. The iPhone, and most droid phones as well, are inherently lacking that way.
I claim to be more coordinated than average but I’ve dropped my phone numerous times, and the Candyshell has the scars to prove it. My life is too busy to want to have to deal with the hassle of repair or replacement when I inevitably drop the phone.
I’m looking forward to the next upgrade. I understand the new generation of iPhones are water resistant. It’s a mystery to me how I haven’t dropped my phone in the toilet yet.
Kosher Kowboy
April 4, 2017 at 10:17 AM
Not dropping the phone is a matter of willpower and concentration.
Lion of the Blogosphere
April 4, 2017 at 10:18 AM
If I had a $700 phone then I’d definitely buy a protective case for it. But I’d never pay that much for a telephone that’s easily broken or stolen and will be obsolete in 3 or 4 years when I could get the same basic functionality for less than $100.
destructure
April 4, 2017 at 11:13 AM
I got my phone for free and only pay 100.00 a year for service but I do want an Iphone SE even though I don’t need it. My phone is perfectly good for my needs. Usually I am good at not getting things I don’t need.
ttgy
April 4, 2017 at 6:46 PM
I’m apparently the only one here who splits the diff and rocks a bumper.
driveallnight
April 4, 2017 at 11:28 AM
Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of small storefronts and mall kiosks that offer nothing but smartphone repair services and which also sell smartphone cases. There are so many of these small places, and ones which always look empty of customers, that it makes me wonder how economically viable they are as a business.
Yankee
April 4, 2017 at 4:05 PM
I am a firm believer that phone cases are prole.
The most high status phone to have is a shitty old nokia. Smartphones are sort of prole. Always looking down like a lemming, always trying to find an outlet to charge your handheld mind-suck. Only proles need constant access and instagram and likes to maintain a social circle.
Not having a cell phone is slightly lower status than having a shitty nokia.
I have a smartphone because I am required to for the work I do, and it makes my job easier. That’s a prole tell…having to do things for work. A true elite wouldn’t need to submit himself to such trifles. I used to never have a phone case because phone cases are prole, but I kept dropping my phone and broke 3 or 4 of them, so I got a black, minimalist case for mine that is not as slippery.
Thankfully my awareness of these things makes me less prole.
jjbees
April 4, 2017 at 6:57 PM
I know of a young French woman who works as a translator for the French Embassy in NYC. I’m puzzled by the fact that she carries a Samsung brand “Nokia” phone.
JS
April 4, 2017 at 10:08 PM
Interesting. I never dropped nor broke my old phone, but I recently got a new Samsung and hated the feel of it, with the overly thin body and smoothness that kept slipping out of my fingers – until I got a case for it, which solved the problem.
Agree that the bigger the case, the more prole-looking, and that probably a bare-naked phone is highest status. If only because it signals that you’re “different”.
S.J., Esquire
April 4, 2017 at 11:56 PM
Asians love large phone cases that are faux gem encrusted, or even have mirrors.
Extremely prole.
Jjbees
April 5, 2017 at 6:20 AM
Geez Louise Lion, you’re so status conscious that sometimes I think you’re actually a woman.
Try this, Mr. Status Seeker: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HORIZONTAL-CELL-PHONE-POUCH-COVER-BELT-CLIP-HOLSTER-CASE-WALLET-CARD-HOLDER-/152321165623?var=&hash=item23770c8937:m:mtQhVLPF-2-mpgAJgWqoYeQ
Joshua Sinistar
April 5, 2017 at 6:46 AM
It’s extremely prole to not be aware of the American status system, to claim that all people are essentially class-equal, or to otherwise deny that the class system matters.
It’s upper class to be aware of the class system but to be so legitimately class-secure that you are able to flout class climber rules (cheap liquor in plastic cups, sloppy dress in natural fibers, dressing down for flights, less adherence to class climber etiquette in general, less items and behaviors that signal employment under a boss, etc).
It’s upper class to signal that you have an excess of resources (ie: no cell phone case for protection, ownership of multiple large dogs of a non-protection breed, etc).
It’s middle and upper-middle class (and hence relatively lower class) to be aware of and rigorously attend to class climber rules.
None of these categories are gender specific, and everyone falls into one of them. Where you fall generally matters to the future chances of relative material success for you or your progeny. In other words, it’s a good use of time and energy to class climb for future generations.
Dave
April 5, 2017 at 7:25 PM
Listen sport. Do you even KNOW WHAT STATUS IS? I don’t think you do really. What is so status about an Iphone? Its a mass market consumer product with a polypropylene case made in a low wage factory! Status symbols aren’t made on an assembly line at a factory!
Status symbols are artistic, unique, handmade and RARE. I don’t think any of you really even know what prole means. If you lust after mass market consumer products, you’re the definition of Bourgeoisie. You are not a status seeker, you’re a CONSUMER.
Joshua Sinistar
April 6, 2017 at 12:25 PM
I do know that some part of status is not getting upset at the internet.
Apple products are more middle / middle upper depending on what you buy, or were at one point in time that may be slowly passing (though Apple is keeping certain Macbook Pro prices ridiculously high, perhaps in a bid to keep a modicum of bourgeoisie status about them).
Arguably, no new technology can ever be upper class. But, let’s be honest, no one here is upper class and fronting like you are in a higher class, when you aren’t, reduces your class.
Status is relative. If I were in he TOOS or upper class, I could type at you in caps and ask what was so status about your nice glassware.
Does that mean, as a hypothetically upper-middle class person, that you should not use it or that its not status for you? No and no. It is legitimate status for you, hypothetically speaking.
You wouldn’t be able to get away with anything lesser, like plastic cups for after dinner liquor at a dinner party, because you aren’t upper class; anymore than non-upper class people can, if they wish to convey anything above middle-low prole class in the modern age, much get away with not having a smart phone even though technology is never upper class.
No one is lusting after anything. In fact, I have a flip phone. Soon, I am moving to a national SWPL mecca and I will buy a smartphone to blend in socially out of rational necessity. But that’s after almost a decade of not class conforming with technology. In actuality, I was responding to your off center and angry remark to Lion in regard to being class conscious. Ironically, you then lecture me in regard to how relatively proper my supposed view on class totems is. Funny, that.
Dave
April 6, 2017 at 9:08 PM