People wouldn't need to buy cases if the outer components of each phone were easily and cheaply replaceable anywhere.
Cases are the proof of a product design flaw.
Discussion
Every phone has a easily replaceable and cheap outer (protective) component that are available *everywhere*
They're called phone cases....
#420?
But then they wouldn't be water resistant
Fairphone
Yeah it's madness, all the slick design that goes into a phone then we slap fuggly rubber cases on them. Cant think of any other product that has that UX journey
But,
Design flaw + clumsy Ben = Requirement for case
Very valid point!
If people could access the inside of their tracking device, they'd be able to turn them off properly.
There are pros and cons I think. Phone cases allow for customization. There’s probably the issue of quality control and waterproofing. Bulkiness is probably a factor and production costs.
Over-engineering for robustness leads to reduced purchases. Think Mercedes 300.
Together with programmed OS obsolescence and bloat, it's all so tou get a new phone every 2 years
I recently broke my Pixel 6A screen and managed to get parts from IFixIt except for removing the adhesive it was an okey procedure.
I later check what would have happened if it was my GF Iphone that broke. It would have been wayyy more expensive because if I wanted an original screen I would have had to take it to an approved shop. It radicalized me even more against Apple
the current design is for how it looks/feels when you purchase it
the case is for the “oh shit, I actually need to use this”