[ditoax]

I had a Galaxy S4 for a while last year and never had a problem with the plastic back like others. I cracked an iPhone 4 back with a small drop which really annoyed me. At least with the Samsung phone if I scuff the back I can just a new one or even buy a nicer one to just replace it. The band around the S4 is metal at the screen is pretty tough (Gorilla Glass I believe?).

Never understand all the hate of the Samsung designs. If you don't like plastic just buy a different back. That is one of the benefits of it being removable.

[soperj]

I love the removable plastic back. Lets me change the battery, sim or sd card in a snap. Also I've used my S3 for a couple of years now, and dropped it a bunch of times, including on concrete, and there is barely any damage. I don't use a case.

[mikestew]

I find the lack of SIM tray annoying. To swap SIMs I have to remove the back, remove the battery, remove the SD card, and then I can finally get to the SIM. Then I have to be careful because SIM slots can break. Lame.