feel like cheap plasticky junk that is less than the sum of its parts

The vast majority of people put their phones in protective cases anyway, even their beautiful iPhones. Putting a lot of effort into the feel of the case is something you have to do if you're Apple, it's something everyone else can afford to make a much lesser priority.

edit: it'd be interesting to see on which point the downvoters disagree. you guys could actually RESPOND.