Do you use protection or go bare?

[JimmiG]

Obviously it would be very convenient to just slide you touch screen smartphone into the jeans pocket when you go Cases also add to the bulk of the phone, causing your pockets to bulge uncomfortably, compared to the slim profile of modern phones.

But I'm concerned that this might over time scratch the screen. I don't have any other items in the "phone pocket", but not all jeans pockets are perfectly smooth on the inside. There might also be grains of sand or other debris in the pocket that would rub against the screen as you walk. Don't want to get a screen protector since they unavoidably remove some brightness and contrast.

On the other hand I've seen videos where people scratch the screens of smartphones with knifes and keys without any visible damage. So maybe they are tougher than you think? Then again, they only do it for a few seconds while the phone would be spending many hours a day in the pocket. Also, if you keep taking the phone out and putting it back in to a pouch or sleeve type case, this would also rub against the conductive layer of the screen and possibly remove the rubbery feel on the back of some phones.

I really want my phone to last as long as possible since I tend to keep them for many years. I kept my previous (flip) phone in the pocket bare, and by the end it looked pretty beat up. The shine was completely gone from the plastic shell, but the screen was of course undamaged.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Screen protector + no case. I can't stand cases.

I keep the phone in my left pocket, and nothing else goes in the pocket with it. Loose change and other odds and ends go in my right pocket.

Every phone I've had looks almost brand new when I've upgraded and given it away.

 

[Anubis]

bare

 

[MrX8503]

Full body skin protector. I hate cases, plus people always ask "You don't any protection on your phone?" I always get a kick outta that.

 

[lokiju]

Bare.

Used to do the bodyguardz on my iPhone and now Droid but realized that anything that'd be enough to scratch the screen would be enough to scratch the screen even with the skin.

Even more so since the Droid has Gorilla Glass.

 

[jalaram]

Full body Ghost armour, no case on my 3g. Some cases have neat colors designs, but they make the phone bulkier than it needs to be. I just want to avoid scratches.

 

[MrX8503]

Bare.

Used to do the bodyguardz on my iPhone and now Droid but realized that anything that'd be enough to scratch the screen would be enough to scratch the screen even with the skin.

Even more so since the Droid has Gorilla Glass.

I would disagree with that. I'm not sure what the iPhone4 uses, but I got hairline scratches on it out of no where.

Unless the glass is pure sapphire crystal I wouldn't trust the glass being that scratch resistant, even Gorilla Glass.

Apple says their iPhone is as strong as sapphire crystal, which is BS, I've bumped my watch into bare metal and the glass is still pristine on it. I put my iPhone in my pocket and scratches come from no where.

 

[insect9]

Screen protector, no case.

 

[Bateluer]

I would disagree with that. I'm not sure what the iPhone4 uses, but I got hairline scratches on it out of no where.

Unless the glass is pure sapphire crystal I wouldn't trust the glass being that scratch resistant, even Gorilla Glass.

Apple says their iPhone is as strong as sapphire crystal, which is BS, I've bumped my watch into bare metal and the glass is still pristine on it. I put my iPhone in my pocket and scratches come from no where.

Apple claimed their screens were as hard as Sapphire crystal. Different thing entirely. Its why the iPhone 4 screens shatter with the slightest G-force.

Don't use any screen protector on my Droid 1, slide it in out and out of my pocket repeatedly throughout a given day. Some pants, I need to be careful though, dragged the screen across the metal rivets. Not so much as an hairline scratch of any kind, and I bought on launch day.

Usually when people drop the Droid, and there's actually damage more than merely scratching the paint, its internal. The screen is fine, but the ICs and connectors inside aren't as resilient as the screen.

Some people are hard on phones, one of the guys I work with has nearly worn the paint completely off his Droid. Looks like he's polished it with sand paper.

My Droid will look brand new in a few years time, or forever long it takes to actually get a phone that's actually an upgrade, when its time to move on.

 

[Phobic9]

Always had an invisible shield type skin on iPhones when I had them but I went completely bare when I got my Droid. It looks like it's been through hell but not a scratch is on the screen. I'm babying my Droid X a little more since I did decide to use a screen protector and I'm also using a Phantom Skinz Chromatic skin (black carbon fiber) on the body. Phone looks a little more unique while offering some minimal protection.

 

[randomlinh]

Ghost Armor on my Pre, front only (back is touchstone, rubbery-esque texture that needs to be a standard for all phones IMO, heh).

It's the best feeling screen protector I've used. A lot better than Zagg.

I like cases, but they make them impossible to really pocket the phones. I will buy ghost armor when I need some sort of lcd protector.

 

[alkemyst]

Workphone/PDA just a holster.

Personal phone pocket and only screen/back protection. I pick the matte finish styles with a little bit of grip.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I have never really found a case I like, and when I apply a skin, it looks like a 4 year old did it

So I go bareback. I hope I don't get the phone herps

 

[pm]

For as long as I've owned a cell phone, I've always put mine in a case/cover within seconds of taking it out of the box.

I sell my phone about once a year and people on Ebay will pay more for a phone that doesn't have any marks or scratches.

Beyond this, I think the base iPhone is too slippery. Without a case - and it's a rare occurrence when it's not in a case, usually when it starts to get really hot - it tends to slide around. Like the center console of my car... every turn it slides back and forth. And if it's not in a case, I feel like it's going to slip out of my fingers.

As far as the screen protector, I've never scratched an iPhone screen but I really like a matte finish on my phone... almost no issues with fingerprints and it's not a reflective mirror when I look at it in strong light.

I have Powersupport Crystal Matte film on the screen.
I have a inCase Protective Cover on the phone.

 

[AMDZen]

I have a couple cases for my iphone, apple was kind enough to give me another one for.

I wouldn't be caught dead running around with an $800 phone without some kind of protection.

 

[Pliablemoose]

There are some cool as hell iPhone cases I like, but since I don't use an iPhone, the cases are usually pretty lame.

I hate the silicone cases, can never get them out of my pocket

 

[preslove]

Bare but with insurance...

 

[vshah]

boxwave matte screen protector, and the slip case that came with my N1 are good enough for me. the phone feels too nice in the hand to ruin it with a case.

 

[The Green Bean]

Bare. Screen protectors are useless and get all scratched up. What's the point of saving the your phone from scratching when it looks scratched anyways?

Capacitive screens have glass so are hard to scratch. I put my hero in my pocket and no scratches yet.

 

[jlee]

I use a Zagg screen/body shield. It seems to make the phone slide around a little less easily, and I don't feel bad using the touchscreen if I'm working on my car/etc because I'm not afraid of screwing the screen up somehow.

 

[YoungGun21]

Bare but with insurance...

this.

My Incredible has had no protection since I got it on launch day and it still looks awesome.

 

[Deeko]

I hate cases and I hate screen protectors more. Bare.

Frankly I buy a new phone frequently enough that it doesn't really matter that much if something happens to it.

 

[trmiv]

I have a nice slim Seidio case and a Steinheil Crystal screen protector on my Droid. Those should help to keep it pretty much new looking for when I sell it next year.

 

[bucwylde23]

I have no screen protector on my Incredible. I put one on when I first got it, but the screen is so much nicer without one. Plus, I suck at putting on screen protectors.
I keep the phone in a Nexus One sleeve in my pocket and my phone is in perfect condition, can't find a scratch on the screen at all.

 

[RebelMouse]

Nothing. Out of the box and into my pocket. So far (2 months) no scratches or anything.