Some of these companies are now designing the phone on the assumption you're going to case it. No other reason to make a Pixel camera bump w/ scratch-vulnerable screen stick out so far.
If a phone needs a case, then phones should be sold with a case included. I hate cases and have never put one on my phone--and have never had a phone break or crack.
If that is the case, then either the phone should come with a case or it should not be marketed as a complete product.
How about making the phone more durable by adding 1 mm to its thickness, so that a 50 gram, 4 mm thick case won't need to be added.