Protect your cell phone: How to find the right case

• In most cases, a mobile phone case covers the beautiful design of the smartphone, but is particularly recommended for expensive smartphones.
• High-quality cases provide the best protection against falls – even from great heights.
• The price range for mobile phone cases is huge. The cheapest models start at a few euros, from 30 euros you can get high-quality cases.

When Steve Jobs presented Apple’s first iPhone in 2006, nobody was worried about the durability of the device. After all, the first-generation iPhone was a real block eleven millimeters thick, the plastic housing was not prone to breakage.

But since then, smartphones have evolved. A plastic housing is rarely found these days. Most smartphones have glass on the front and back, and the frame is made of aluminum or stainless steel.

1. Do I really need a protective cover?

2. What different cases are there and what do I have to consider when buying one?

3. How much does a good phone case cost?

These materials are particularly susceptible to breakage and should be protected. This works best with a case. You can find out everything you need to know about buying the right smartphone case in this article.

Do I really need a protective cover?

That depends a lot on the individual situation. The rule of thumb is: If you can’t/wouldn’t buy a new smartphone after a possible fall or don’t want to pay for the repair, you should buy a protective cover for the smartphone. The rule applies particularly to expensive smartphones.

If you buy a smartphone for a person who can easily drop it (such as children), a protective cover should be bought at the same time. On the other hand, many people do not like cases because they hide the beautiful design of the smartphone. Ultimately, it is your own decision whether to use a protective cover.

What different cases are there and what do I have to consider when buying one?

But once you have weighed the pros and cons of a case and decided to buy it, the next big decision comes: what kind of case do I use? There are many types of cases:

• Soft case covers are mostly made of silicone or TPU and are the best-known type of cover. They can be attached very easily and, depending on the model, lie firmly in the hand. High quality soft cases come in all colors and patterns and they protected well due to the cushioning power of the silicone, although this effect can vary depending on the thickness and quality. Silicone cases are mostly wireless charging capable.
• Hardcase cases are the opposite of silicone cases and are made of solid plastic, metal, glass or other solid and non-elastic materials. They may look better than soft cases, but they don’t protect nearly as well as silicone cases because they can’t cushion the fall. Many hard cases have additional functions such as kickstands or retaining rings.
• So-called flip cases consist of a thin silicone case in which the smartphone lies directly. There is also a foldable side panel, which is usually made of fabric and is held shut with a magnet. Here there is the special feature that the mobile phone is also protected from the front in the event of a fall. In the side part you can often store credit cards and cash.
• Bumper cases are cases that form a “protective ring” around the smartphone. They are usually only on the edges of the smartphone and do not cover either the back or the front. Such cases usually offer the best protection against falls, but do not protect the smartphone from scratches.
• Special cases include outdoor cases, which are extra reinforced and designed for mobile phone use in extreme conditions, such as. B. on the construction, are intended. Here, for example, there is the Defender series from Otterbox. There are also cases made of plastic that are waterproof and are not intended for everyday use. This allows you to take photos and videos under water or protect your cell phone from water damage.

There are also mixtures of the different cases. For example, some hard cases have additional silicone protection to increase drop resistance.

at Buy phone cases*

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The case industry is huge and the selection is correspondingly large. What you should pay particular attention to when buying is that the case fits securely on your smartphone. Ratings on Amazon and Co. help with the selection.

How much does a good phone case cost?

The question of price is also complex when buying a case. Because the price range for smartphone cases is huge. Inexpensive models can be found on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and eBay for just a few euros. Many sellers offer inferior combo sets consisting of protective covers and screen protectors for less than ten euros.

A well-known case manufacturer is Spigen. Their cases are very well rated and are considered value for money winners. Depending on the model, Spigen sells cases for under 20 euros and offers a very solid overall package with a good look on top. Spigen differs noticeably from the more expensive manufacturers in the processing quality.

Brand manufacturers such as Rhinoshield, Mous or dbrand can be found in the upper end of the price range. Here you can quickly spend more than 40 or 50 euros on a smartphone case. But for the price you get really high-quality cases that protect the smartphone very well and are guaranteed to look good.

Many of the more expensive manufacturers also use materials such as recycled plastic or vegan plastics to produce more sustainably.