To encase or not to encase... That is the question. I've had my black/slate iPhone 5 for over a year now, and for most of that period, I've had a case or bumper of some kind. Most recently, I used the iPhone 5 Neo Hybrid case by Spigen and it was probably the best case I've had, with the AL13 coming in a close second. However, now I go case-less and I don't think I'll be able to go back to using a case anytime soon. (Now that I've said this, I expect Fate and it's good friend, Gravity, to play a dirty trick on my phone; but blogging is like therapy, so I'm going to risk it.)

There is a very common analogy that it using a well designed phone with an ugly case is like using a really beautiful car covered in a plastic sheet. One of the main points that come up in an iPhone vs is that the iPhone has "superior build quality". It looks and feels better. People who use a case should not be allowed to make that statement. If you like how well it's built, use it the way it was meant to be used.

This is even more relevant now with the release of iOS7. Despite the initial hate that iOS 7 got, people have calmed down accepted it, and in most cases, started appreciating it. Apart from inconsistent app icons, I felt that it was really well thought out. Sure, it's still a bit buggy, but it does feel better than iOS 6. They way things move and behave, is just brilliant. Why is this relevant? Because the same person in charge of both software and hardware design, I believe iOS 7 feels better without a clunky and ugly case surrounding a phone.

As I've mentioned above, like many people, I was in the pro-case group till very recently. Sure I'd take the case off for periods of a few hours each just to "let my phone breathe" but had a case on for the most part. In fact, there have been two instances when I've dropped my phone on the road and been super thankful that I had a case on. However, one fateful day, I was letting it breathe, but being the genius that I am, I decided to walk to the canteen with the un-encased phone in my pocket. Sure, that seems like an innocent thing to do, but that's not where the story ends. It was raining. I was playing a word game with a friend and kept taking the phone out to check my score. One thing led to another and off it popped from my hand and on to the tar on which I stood. The tar shaved off bits of 3 out of 4 front corners; nothing shattered though.

This incident has done 2 things.

  • Given the phone some character.
  • Given me more freedom. Now that it's not unblemished, the decision to go case-less was made for me.

Here is my advice for people who want to try caselessness.

  • Get AppleCare+.
  • Be more careful. This sounds simple, but it's super important. Having a case makes you a bit careless. It's subconscious and you might think that it doesn't apply to you, but it does.
  • Have a designated phone pocket. Put nothing but your phone in that pocket. If you are not using or charging your phone, keep it in said pocket as much as possible. It reduces the chances of your phone falling somewhere or something falling on your phone.
  • Be careful while opening doors. (Don't laugh) I've often come close to knocking a door against my phone in my pocket while swinging (pulling) a door open.
  • Every now and then appreciate how beautiful your phone is.

Ever since that incident, I've been caseless and loved it. My phone has an ugly dent that is also discoloured and shows off its aluminium build and has more character overall. Would I like the dents to magically disappear? Yes. Is it making my extremely mild OCD tickle? Yes. But I'm sticking to the decision I've taken and using my phone the way it was meant to. No case, no matter how expensive or good-looking will be able to beat the phone itself in terms of looks or how it feels in the hands, at least in my opinion.

You should try going caseless. Sure, your phone will get scratched. It might even get some dents. If you're really unlucky, you'll have a shaved edge. If you are unluckier, you'll have a shattered screen. But you'll have a better experience. Also, as long as you are careful, you can minimise the chances of these things happening.

Chipped iPhone 5