Better consider a case to protect the back and sides of your Apple iPhone 5 from getting scratched

Reports have been circulating about people taking their brand new Apple iPhone 5 out of the box for the first time, only to find scratches and nicks on the side and back of their pride and joy. Obviously, the aluminum body is proving to be quite receptive to minor blemishes. And those who plan on keeping their Apple iPhone 5 in their pocket should certainly consider a case to protect it from keys and coins and anything else that could  leave a mark on the phone.

Some Apple iPhone 5 units are coming out of the box already damaged

The video was put together by iFixit with a 2-year old girl being given the job of scratching the phone. Now, we're normally not in favor of teaching a young one how to damage a smartphone because they could grow up thinking that is what you're supposed to do with them. But for the purposes of testing out the potential for scratches on the new aluminum body of the Apple iPhone 5, well sure, why not let the kid scratch away. And sure enough, after using keys and a ring to scratch the latest iteration of Apple's iconic smartphone, the sides of the handset and the back are apparently quite susceptible to damage.

And how about the glass back of the Apple iPhone 4S? As the video shows, it holds up much better than the new model. Bottom line: if you have the Apple iPhone 5, you better get a case for it. Don't say we didn't warn you.