If everyone is using protective cases, does smartphone design matter?

Of course smartphone design still matters, the looks and weight matter's the most because that's the first thing customers look at.

I use now because mine is plastic and can get scratched at gym if I put on on the floor.

my previous was glass back, I was never worried same way. Glass has few scratches because I dropped it so many time, but it has never shattered.Dragon Tail glass.

Plastic is worse than glass to lose heat. Cases help to retain heat even more.

I've said that for years! "slim, sexy, colorful and stylish" makes no difference because they are so expensive, EVERYONE sticks them in a protective case!

Well, yes and no. Color becomes a lot less relevant but things like camera placement, size, shape (square edges vs rounded edges) still remaine relevant design elements. I am sure I have missed s few examples but you get the idea.

If everyone is wearing clothes does body shape even matter ?🤡

Design as in the colour or the textured back would not be that important. But design is more than just that. So the camera island, the buttons, still play an important part of it. So TLDR, it is still important to an extend.

The camera is probably the only feature that really stands out on phones and the best way to recognize one from the other. However, the size is a function of the display and the edges also get inside the case, so you don’t feel them all that much.

I do agree that some elements are still relevant and important but in general I really struggle to explain why the visuals of a phone should be accounted for when choosing a phone.