Anecdotal; I never see anyone with a phone case these days, aside from my partner who has a screen protector + thick case because she is very clumsy.

I hate screen cases. But I bought one for iPhone 8 because this thing is not made to be used without case. I dropped it first day, it's just not convenient to hold. I had 4S for 6 years before and never dropped it.

iPhones went downwards as Jobs died.

FWIW I firmly believe that the protruding camera array is a confirmation that they intend for phones to be in cases. There's no way it lies flush on a desk without a case.

It feels like really poor design unless that was the express intent.

The design is fine, if ugly on a phone, but it’s utterly bonkers on an iPad, which you put down on a table to write on and doesn’t even see that much camera usage…

Had the same experience with a 6S, coming from a 4s.

Don’t know if it’s the phone or me but the 11 is fine so far.

I think it’s a mix of the 6-8 design being too thin for rounded borders and the metal back being super slippery compared to glass.

The 6/6s/7 had an aluminum back, but the 8 and now the new SE have a glass back, presumably to support wireless charging.

Just to add a different perspective: I never used a case for any of my iPhones or iPads. I refuse to hide that mostly beautiful body in a cheap, or even high quality, permanent case.

And yet I have still sold all of those dozen devices in flawless, virtually pristine condition when it became time to upgrade. I think the secret is to use a lightweight, thin textile sleeve [1] during transport, in your pocket or bag. Plus, it also serves as a soft bedding when your device is resting on a table or other hard surfaces. It also has a microfiber inner lining, which combined with the snug fit keeps the display clean.

Sorry for sounding so ecstatic about a sleeve, but I always wondered why temporary sleeve usage wasn’t more popular compared to those dreadful permanent cases.

[1] https://shop.fitbag.de/jive-grau-handytasche-nach-mass.html

edit: I thought I was replying to the grand parent. Well, it’s not a different perspective then.