I have been using the iPhone without a case since the iPhone 6. I think the fragility of iPhone displays is incredibly overblown. The idea that Apple is purposefully making the displays "weak" is unfounded.

People buy cases because they feel their $1,000 slab of metal must be protected.

Hit concrete in the right corner on an iPhone and it will break.

For me, it's just not worth it. Had iPhones break while on trips and it's just an absolute hassle dealing with replacements, especially when there aren't Apple stores for hours, while I can just put on a protector and done.

(Plus I think a clear case looks really nice and brings a retro Casio vibe.)

I must be some crazy outlier because I've never dropped or broken a phone in 25+ years of mobile phone use. Yet, one out of every 10 phone screens I see in the general public seems to be all cracked to pieces, and the mall kiosks that swap screens seem to be always doing business. Do I just have some superhuman hand eye coordination or something? Who are all these people dropping their $1000+ phones? Wouldn't you be more careful with something you sent that much coin on? I can't believe how often people destroy their own phones.

I shared your mentality.

I didn't get a case when I bought my 15 pro.

For two weeks I was without a case, dropped the phone two or three times.

Screen got scratched in 3 places and the paint chipped from around the bazel.

Went into a store and got a case.

Also because the camera bulge means the phone can't lay flat on a flat surface without a case.

Original iPhone SE was peak smartphone.

Same camera hardware as the flagship 6s, but more comfortable to use one-handed and the camera lens was flush with the back.

The iPhone is not fragile. It's astonishing how sturdy it is. Even without a case you can drop it on concrete and most of the time you get nothing more than a scuff. With a case a phone can take an absurd amount of abuse. Many people don't even bother with a case anymore. I suspect people would be a lot more careful with their iPhone if they shared your opinion.

They're not making phones. They make vending machines that go in your pocket.

It's because the alternative is plastic. Hard to sell a phone for 1000 dollars when its made out of plastic.

Ceramic back? Titanium? Diamond? Anything but a glass back please. Why not even the option? A bezel around the rim?

You just reminded me my favorite fit and finish was the Essential PH1, titanium edge, ceramic back, felt twice as luxurious as anything I'd held previously

Diamond and ceramic are however more prone to shattering. Sapphire like they use for the camera lenses and watch face might be ideal.

MagSafe

I use a slim Spigen case, because I find the naked iPhone is too slippery to handle safely. And I don’t have to worry about laying the phone down on its face.