I am in the same camp as him actually. I dislike using a case and prefer to use the phone as it was (afaik) intended to be used. Cases change the weight and feel of the device.

I also would like to add that in all my years of smartphone usage (probably about 4 years, quite late adopter) I never broke my phone or screen.

I did break a phone scene once by dropping it. But, running the numbers replacing it was actually cheaper than buying a new case for every phone, so IMO they are simply not worth it.

A simple plastic screen protector might be, but those always get bubbles.

Tempered glass screen protectors have been out for years now. Applied correctly, they don't have bubbles, and they really do help with impact damage. They also help with keeping the screen protected against key/other sharp object scratches.

Some people keep their remotes in plastic wrap, doesn't mean that's expected.

Sure there is a thriving aftermarket for phone cases that emerged in late 00s, but it is certainly not an expectation on the manufacturer side.

Not just aftermarket, Google sells an official case

I expect manufacturer to take care of the case, custom ones just makes the phone thicker/heavier, but who knows - maybe in the future we will be buying 'case-less/naked' phones and 3rd party cases depending on the protection level needed.

Thinking about, idea doesn't sound too bad.