Before the iPhone 6 and its rounded displays, I never used a case on my iPhone (including models 3g, 4s, and 5). I occasionally dropped it, but never had more than minor scratches or minor dents on the metal edging.
Then I got an iPhone 6, and at some point dropped it & cracked the screen. Replaced the screen, and eventually cracked it again. Got an iPhone 8 and eventually cracked the screen. When I wanted to buy an iPhone X, my wife said, "Only if you get a case", and I didn't really have a good counter-argument.
Which makes it kind of an irony: if you push too far in some direction, you end up going way back. Jony Ive pushed for the iPhone 6 form factor: thinner, rounder. Which made it prettier without a case; but by sacrificing too much sturdiness, it meant everyone needed to have a case -- so the iPhone form factor became "a very pretty, fragile phone in a bulky case" rather than "a nice-looking moderately robust phone without a case".
Then I got an iPhone 6, and at some point dropped it & cracked the screen. Replaced the screen, and eventually cracked it again. Got an iPhone 8 and eventually cracked the screen. When I wanted to buy an iPhone X, my wife said, "Only if you get a case", and I didn't really have a good counter-argument.
Which makes it kind of an irony: if you push too far in some direction, you end up going way back. Jony Ive pushed for the iPhone 6 form factor: thinner, rounder. Which made it prettier without a case; but by sacrificing too much sturdiness, it meant everyone needed to have a case -- so the iPhone form factor became "a very pretty, fragile phone in a bulky case" rather than "a nice-looking moderately robust phone without a case".