Well. Glass doesn't feel premium (Aka. Expensive) to me, it feels fragile.
Of course using a rubbery polymer was an example.
Hows about Magnesium? Carbon? There are tons of composites with various textures.

It feels better for me but I guess its a personal preference thing. Premium =/= Durable (least not for me). Don't those cost more than Glass or Aluminum? I think at least Carbon does.

The Note 7's glass whilst it may be more durable to drops, isn't drop-proof.
The glass also seems to be more scratch-prone, don't put the phone in your pocket with your keys.

The iPhone 6's "bending" issue is due to Apple's design, not the material in question (Although they did use a cheaper/lower quality Aluminum before)
Aluminum can be fantastic, if I can have a bike frame made of that material and ride down the side of a mountain without an issue doing 100km/h or more, I'm sure a properly designed device can survive being in your pocket.

To me having a device that is prone to being dropped made of glass was unacceptable in the iPhone 4 in 2011... And it's unacceptable in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in 2016.

Its not drop-proof but it certainly seems to be able to withstand most typical drops that every other phone does. They are looking into the scratch thing as far as I am aware.

The iphone 6 is a bit of both. They used weaker version of aluminum which was acceptable at the time and the case itself was big. 

I have a "see-through" case for my Note 5, you are still hiding the design of the device and loosing any textured feel for it.

And if I want my phone to be water proof, I'll buy a a ruggerdised phone that is built for harsh environments, I want something that can survive... I dunno. A slip off my desk or keys in my pocket.
I'm spending over $1,200 AUD on these devices , it would be great if they could last several years like my Lumia 920.

Really? Cause I can see the design quite fine and its easy for people can tell that its a Galaxy S7.

Maybe it is just the way we live differently but I would rather have waterproof over ruggedness anyday. Rugged phones are usually ugly, have bad software support with a really bad skin and feels super bulky. Those also intend to cost more. I do live in Vancouver where it rains a lot so waterproofing my phone is a higher priority for me. Specially since idk when spills might happen.

My Lumia 920 released years ago, never required a special backplate.
The shatter proof glass can still break.

Again, there are other materials that are more durable, look better (I.E. Don't attract scratches/cracks and fingerprints) and allow for Wireless charging.

But again, those are more expensive. Having those will increase the price of the phone... And isn't the 920 plastic? To me, plastic feels a lot more flimsy than glass.

The iphone 6 is a bit of both. They used weaker version of aluminum which was acceptable at the time and the case itself was big.

Maybe it is just the way we live differently but I would rather have waterproof over ruggedness anyday. Rugged phones are usually ugly, have bad software support with a really bad skin and feels super bulky. Those also intend to cost more. I do live in Vancouver where it rains a lot so waterproofing my phone is a higher priority for me. Specially since idk when spills might happen.

Pemalite said:

 In general, yes the costs would be higher, but these are $1000+ AUD "Premium" devices with stupidly large profit margins.

"Premium" would imply something that is expensive.

Of course materials preference will be a personal thing as you so eloquently point out, but there are intrinsic issues dealing with glass that other materials generally don't exhibit, another issue with glass is how expensive it can be to replace as I found out.

Thats true that the profit margins are pretty big with these phones but that wont stop them from increasing the price tho. And while it is true that "Premium" would imply something is expensive, something being premium can take differnt forms. Such as design, the look and feel for example. I do agree with the replacement costs of glass tho.

More to it than that. The button placement created an area that was more susectible to bending, they needed to reinforce that specific area.

Well. I wouldn't say it's able to withstand typical drops better than any other phone does... I bet my Lumia would win every single time, phones with more exotic materials would also fair better.

I certainly don't doubt that either plastic or metal materials are stronger than glass. 

I'm in a country area of Australia.
After having a "mobile" phone for the last decade and a half, not once have I lost one due to water damage... With that said, once my phone is mounted on any of my bikes, it's mounted inside of a waterproof case to protect it from mud, dust, dirt and on the rare occasion, rain, so it's really a non-issue.
But it also means I cannot have a phone case.

That setup is certainly interesting.

There are different types and grades of Plastic, if reinforced properly it's not flimsy.

I can assure you my Lumia 920 is far more durable than my Galaxy Note 5 and the Note 7.
After I broke my screen and back on my Note 5, my friend said 'Just bad luck, Samsung is always been durable for me' - So I proceeded to throw my old Lumia across the room and it survived without a scratch, my point was then made.

My Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will be my last Samsung Phone untill they get rid of the Glass backing, I'll vote with my wallet.

I did say it feels flimsy not that it is. But to each to his own. I do find your point of view with your own experiences quite interesting though.