I would prefer a phone that was robust enough to not need a cover, because covers add a great deal of size and weight.
In the absence of such phones, I compromise on adding a cover.
In the absence of such phones, I compromise on adding a cover.
It's an extreme example, and way too bulky for most people, but the point is: "rugged cellphones" absolutely exist.
Also I don’t need fully ruggedized. Just enough that a cover would be superfluous.