Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, it's actually made phone theft even worse as a victim. instead of running with the device muggers are demanding pin's and passcodes at gun/knife point it's resulted in a few deaths in chicago at least
See this story: https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/patrons-nyc-gay-bar...
Overall I think it's pretty safe to pull out your smartphone in public these days, which was not the case years ago.