I think one of the elements of owning a device like a smartphone or tablet is the reality that, sometimes, accidents happen and we may have to figure out how to fix a broken device. Even as companies have touted advancements in making devices "shatterproof" or more resistant to scratching and other marks, I've always just assumed the worst. And that's not even because I've been disappointed over and over again!

I've only had two incidents of a broken smartphone in my many years of owning them. Knock on wood.

But this is one part of design I just won't give any leniency too. Even as smartphones and tablets have become more expensive, which could lead some to believe they should last longer and be more resilient to common drops, I just keep doing my best to try and prevent that from happening. Because I know if it does I'm probably going to have a broken phone.

So, that being said, you'd think I'd be fans of cases and skins and screen protectors. But I'm not. I haven't used a case for more than a few days in years. A colorful skin has been something I've considered in the past, but not anything I've actually gone through with. And even though I can admit that a screen protector really can help, it's just not something I've wanted to install on my phones.

And then I see something like bend tests on YouTube and I start second guessing those decisions. For instance, last week saw the YouTube channel, JerryRigEverything, put the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro through a battery of tests, like a lighter's flame against the display, or scratching up the sides and back of the tablet with a blade. It doesn't take a lot of imagination to picture how the tablet turned out.

And then they bent the tablet in half, to which they describe as a "tablet the size of a piece of paper bends like paper", and it really is pretty striking to watch. But these tests are one thing. After all, I hope no one is actually going to try this with their own tablet. And one imagines that, considering we aren't putting these devices in our pockets and sitting on them this might not be a big deal.

(Click the channel's name above to check out the video for yourself.)

Reports of slight bending popped up around the same time. Folks that were putting their tablets in bags, and not doing anything out of the ordinary by any means. he tablet that can retail for over a thousand dollars is bending. That would drive me insane and I can absolutely understand where affected owners' frustrations are coming from.

Would a case help in this situation? Probably. Or at least, one would hope. And that got me wondering, especially as device prices continue to climb: How do you protect your device(s)? Do you rely on cases, or skins, or just go with screen protectors? Or, are you like me and just hope for the best, going without any of that protective equipment on your handset or tablet? Let me know!