It may come as a surprise that some of the world’s richest individuals, including Tesla and X owner Elon Musk, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, prefer to use their smartphones without a cover. Despite being worth billions, these tech leaders choose to keep their phones case-free—and the reasons behind it are quite practical.

Experts say using a phone without a cover helps reduce heating and improves network performance. Without the added layer, smartphones dissipate heat more efficiently, allowing apps to run smoothly and the overall performance to remain faster. Many professionals believe a cover-free phone functions better and offers a more reliable experience, especially under heavy usage.

Another reason is aesthetics. Phone covers often make a device bulky, hiding its original design and premium look. By keeping their phones case-free, users can enjoy the slim build and distinct colors designed by the company, giving the device a more elegant appearance. This is one reason why many high-profile individuals prefer not to conceal their smartphones behind plastic or silicone cases.

There’s also the matter of connectivity. In some cases, covers can partially block antenna bands, leading to weaker signal reception. Without a cover, smartphones—especially 5G-enabled devices—tend to pick up stronger and more consistent network signals. For people who rely heavily on seamless connectivity, this can make a significant difference.

For billionaires like Musk, Zuckerberg, and Bezos, keeping their phones free of covers is not just about style, but also about performance and efficiency.