Polls

How do you care for your phone's glass back?

by Preslav Kateliev / Sep 25, 2017, 9:19 AM

How do you care for your phone's glass back?

In 2017, we have flagships that are decked out in terms of hardware and wrapped in premium-feeling materials — that's the base you need if you want to survive in this oversaturated, cutthroat market. Wireless charging is now a standard feature — from Samsung, to LG, to Apple's iPhones — and while some do it via proprietary magnetic connectors, like the new Essential Phone, most accomplish it through good old inductive charging. And that latter one requires glass backs.

Every smartphone fan has their opinion on glass backs, but we think it's fair to say that the community has a love-hate relationship with the material. It looks great, it feels luxurious but gathers grease faster than a burger restaurant's kitchen tiles.

Some don't mind as they use the device with a case anyway. Others will slap a “skin” on the phone and forget about the glass back. There are those that still love to use their phone “naked” and will vigorously wipe their fingerprints off its back a few times a day to keep it looking pristine. And there are those who simply leave it as is — either they don't care about the phone's looks back there, or they were simply defeated in the battle against the grease. In which camp do you fall?

How do you care for your phone's glass back?

I mostly use mine with a case, so...

57.75%

I slapped a skin on that slippery snake!

9.52%

I use mine "naked" and wipe it often to keep it clean

10.27%

I use mine "naked" and don't care about finger smudges

8.07%

I don't have a glass-backed phone and would rather never buy one

14.39%

Options

27 Comments

1. zunaidahmed

Posts: 1183; Member since: Dec 24, 2011

Survey closed, everyone uses a case /s https://imgur.com/a/7UpSR

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 9:22 AM 15

17. rsiders

Posts: 1954; Member since: Nov 17, 2011

I surely don't. It doesn't make much sense to get a phone because of how it looks and then cover it up with a case. If that's the case(pun intended) designers can go back to not caring what the phone looks like as long as it performs well. A see through or plastic case, maybe but anything else defeats the point. We want beautiful, premium looking and feeling phones and then we burry it with an Otterbox.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 11:53 AM 0

19. buccob

Posts: 2968; Member since: Jun 19, 2012

It really depends on each person and on each phone.... Back when I had an Xperia Acro S, that plastic beast was built like a tank... (similarly to Samsung Active series) and I never ever got a case for it.... After that I got the Z3 Compact with a glass sandwich and I got a case for it that helped it survive quite a few falls, however I removed the case one day, assuming that I would be careful and I ended up breaking the display... Now with the XZ the glass back is gone but I do keep it 90% of the time in a case, however I do like the naked design a lot so I take it off some times

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 2:00 PM 1

23. GoTstan

Posts: 386; Member since: Jul 25, 2015

Idgaf what the phone looks like. I never called a phone beautiful and I can't imagine ever doing it. Unless it grows a nice set of T&A. Function>form 24/7/365....that's why I like android bc of its options and functionality. Sadly some of these features are being taken away (3.5mm jack, removable battery) I'm going to avoid glass backed phones, I tend to be a klutz from time to time. I always case up a phone bc these devices aren't cheap. The phone I have doesn't define me, it doesn't give my esteem a boost, I'm not purchasing a phone thinking it'll make me more popular. Give me an android with all the options, circa s3/s4/s5/note2-4. I don't care if it's booger green. I digress.....

posted on Sep 26, 2017, 12:19 AM 3

22. HansP

Posts: 542; Member since: Oct 16, 2011

I've never used a case on a phone. If I'd prefer a more durable phone I'd buy a more durable phone, like the Galaxy S8 Active.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 3:13 PM 0

2. PhoneInQuestion

Posts: 496; Member since: Aug 20, 2017

If you're going to spend the better portion of a thousand dollars on a phone getting a case shouldn't be a topic of debate, it should be the necessary measure to properly insure your purchase.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 9:28 AM 3

16. mrmessma

Posts: 271; Member since: Mar 28, 2012

Nah, much rather be smug about never having a case... til it's dropped, and cracked, and then you have to feel like an idiot because you have a broken phone for the next year and a half because you liked the feeling of self imposed superiority.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 11:29 AM 2

20. jjface

Posts: 238; Member since: Jun 07, 2017

You could put it in a safe for ultimate protection

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 2:29 PM 2

3. Cat97

Posts: 1892; Member since: Mar 02, 2017

Using a case doesn't spare your phone's glass back from cracking. And for a glass smartphone back, a skin is actually no protection at all.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 9:46 AM 0

13. BuffaloSouce unregistered

You just like to crap on everything and assume you're always right...cases do provide solid protection for the back since that part is completely cover by tge case unless you buy a thin cheaply made case.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 11:19 AM 1

14. mrmessma

I have a case on my S8 which I've dropped more than I like to admit, and I have no cracks or scrapes... because decent cases do a very good job of protecting glass backs.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 11:27 AM 2

4. AustinPaul

Posts: 152; Member since: Dec 13, 2011

I love the Spigen cases for our S7 Edge and S8, but I just put a dbrand skin on the S8 and love it. Makes me really appreciate the style of the phone while giving the extra grip and the 'no fingerprints thing'.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 9:48 AM 1

5. Landon

Posts: 1245; Member since: May 07, 2015

Almost everyone uses a case. This is why I want the Galaxy S8 Active so badly: it's one of the only phones you don't need a case for.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 9:48 AM 4

6. nctx77

Posts: 2540; Member since: Sep 03, 2013

I’m one of the most careful you would ever meet and I still use a case on my phone. I do mostly use minimal/thin cases that add just enough protection without being bulky. Naked is a no go! I will have a clear case from time to time to show off the phone, but that’s it. I hate scratches and scuff, so it’s too easy for that to happen without a case. At the very least, I would put a skin on it.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 10:23 AM 0

7. Lumberjack

Posts: 306; Member since: May 04, 2017

My phone has had a few falls. GG only on front. Rear panel is intact. Only a few scratches that cannot be seen ( phone is white).

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 10:25 AM 0

8. Back_from_beyond

Posts: 1420; Member since: Sep 04, 2015

Back when I had an Xperia Z1 with its glass back, no matter how often I dropped it, it didn't shatter. It scratched, but it didn't shatter. I just put a €2 screen protector on it and that kept the glass back perfect for 2 years. After that I didn't really care so i took the protector off. If done right, you don't need much. On my Moto G5 Plus I use a tempered glass screen protector on the front and a TPU bumper case to even out the camera hump on the back.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 10:27 AM 0

9. Pabliell

Posts: 184; Member since: Mar 22, 2016

I will not buy a glass backed phone until there's no other option. It's a fragile material and should never be considered "premium". There are better alternatives, that were already used in the smartphone industry. Manufacturers simply got lazy and went all glass.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 10:37 AM 0

10. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

A solid case to go with my flagship phone. As for mid-range phones, I don't bother slapping a cass on it.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 10:38 AM 0

11. libra89

Posts: 2281; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

Unfortunately, 3/4 of phones have a glass back so it is what it is at this point. I always use a case anyway.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 10:39 AM 0

12. surethom

Posts: 1691; Member since: Mar 04, 2009

Glass backs are absolutely horrible same as shiny back case, most put a case on to cover them, plastic or aluminium back please.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 10:43 AM 0

15. rob5150

Posts: 183; Member since: Oct 31, 2011

Note 8 here And I use skinomi clear skin. It is aweso. I've used clear skins all the way back to htc inspire. Generally van not see that anything is on phone. Adds protection and increases grip

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 11:28 AM 0

18. darkkjedii

Posts: 31039; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

I ordered my cases, right after ordering my phone. It's currently in a black Spigen Neo. I don't take any chances, after cracking my iPhone 5, and Note 2.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 12:56 PM 0

21. monoke

Posts: 1161; Member since: Mar 14, 2015

Clear plastic film and naked. No worries of scratches on surfaces. Can't have butter fingers or it's a gonner tho. Lol.

posted on Sep 25, 2017, 3:08 PM 0

24. vagabonti

Posts: 8; Member since: Sep 26, 2017

I have a case. The phone without him feels thin, frail, incredible. My case is also incredible. In two parts, only the back, the highest standard of shock resistance, with a soft twist on touch and is ... incredible too. :-)

posted on Sep 26, 2017, 1:21 AM 0

25. kanagadeepan

Posts: 1260; Member since: Jan 24, 2012

I hate phones with glass back. They DO NOT deserve the premium price they are asking, imho..

posted on Sep 26, 2017, 2:27 AM 0

26. DechyX

Posts: 156; Member since: May 16, 2011

I rock an S8 Active and I STILL have a screen protector and case on it. I have no qualms about other's opinions, I Just persobnally hate imperfections and blemishes. Which is the main reason I shy away from the LG G6, S8, Note and 8 and similar devices. I do however almost always use a thin clear case.