True, but they wouldn't do that with the front screen and the edge of the camera lense is protected, no?
One can argue that it's easier to scratch the back rather the front of the phone/device:
1) I place my phone on its back much more often than one its front.
2) Even if the edge is protected, the centre portion, the most important part, is not (but of course, you can't cover up the middle portion lol)
3) It's easier to get a good screen protector for the front than the back.
This turns out to be a non issue for most iphone users since they used their iphones with a case anyway.
Personally, I will see myself using the FiiO X7 anyway. While the raised screen is less than ideal, it will not affect my decision on whether to get it or not, only how it sounds will.
Of course, if the raised screen is a deal breaker for you, then I think you'll have to look for a new dap.
You're probably right, it is too late (and expensive!) for FiiO to change the design of their X7 in any way if they still want to meet their rollout schedule. For all we know, FiiO already have a secret stash of X7 assembled and ready to be shipped out.