Skin vs Case

[Sinn]

Friday will be my first Iphone, and one of my questions is do you all use a clear skin (like bodyguardz) or a case (or both a skin and a case)?

(Sorry to the mods, but it wont let me start a topic in the Iphone3g case section)

[PapaST]

IMO... One factor I think depends on the amount of "abuse" you think your phone will go through. Mine not so much so I use a skin.

Also, I find a case makes it a little too clunky to slide in and out of my pocket. Takes away some of the sleek design too.

Right before I sold my V1 everyone marvelled at the great condition it was in.

I used a case once when I went hiking but even then I really didn't see a need.

But everyone is different, if you think you're phone will get abused or dropped then a case is probably in order. Skins, IMO are really just good for preventing scuffs.

[Sinn]

I cant imagine too much abuse. Is using both an option? Putting on a clear coat skin to protect the face, and then a case over that? I play poker for a living so my Ipod gets about 9-10 hours of use every day and looks pretty beaten.

[FlyersPhanatic9]

I always use the utmost care when handling my phone but wanted to take ZERO risks so I got the slimmest case you can get (Seidio) and have had it on the whole time. (I have v1 iPhone).
2 years later my phone is still in pristine condition but it wouldnt be if I didnt have a case. I have dropped it probably 5 times in 2 years, and all of the falls would likely have damaged the phone if I didnt have a case on.
So IMO get a seidio or incase slider, they are the thinnest cases out there.

[Hawk]

Ok, just to help with the decision, let me give you a hypothetical.
How many times have you ever dropped your cell phone in it's lifetime? I'm talking any phone you've owned before an iPhone. Even if it's once, that is more than enough to warrant a case over a skin. a skin can protect from a 6" or less fall. A case will cover anything above that.
All it takes is for you to be driving in your car, get a call, talk and then place the phone in your lap when you are done because you are close to your destination. You park, gather any other items you need, open the door and as you stand up, your phone goes down - to the pavement. A skin will protect against scratches, but not dents or cracks.
Really spend the time to think about your phone habits and then multiply the drop factor by 10, and that is the percentage of the likelyhood of you will drop it. If you said 3 times, then you are 30% likely to drop the iPhone just once.
The phone I had before my first iPhone I had dropped about half a dozen times. Besides scuffed plastic on a corner, it was always good to go. With the iPhone, the chance the screen shatters is pretty high, especially with the newer plastic bodies, since the screen is pretty much one whole side. a Hard shell case would reduce the chances of irreparable damage greatly. (and the warranty will not cover "accidental" damage.)

[Sinn]

Great! Thanks! I think You've all got me to get a case. I dont drop it too often, but like Hawk said, once is enough.

[FlyersPhanatic9]

Yeah, I took my iPhone out of the seidio case for a month when I was returning it to get the newer version and was doing exactly what Hawk said...
Getting out of the car to go play tennis and fell about 4 feet onto a gravel parking lot. got about 4 small dents, one of them was directly on the 8GB lettering. :(

[raahee123]

ya im stuck on getting a case or a skin too right now i have a skin on the 1st gen... so idk i wanna show the sexiness of the new iPhone S so im not sure might not go with either but i no thats stupid.. i think case

[david9962000]

I also noticed that smooth thin cases are easier to use with jeans pockets.