We love our phones. We also treat them like disposable toys.
According to a survey commissioned by T-Mobile, nearly half of all smartphone owners have lost, stolen, or damaged their devices. It is a staggering number. The causes are often laughably mundane. For those who broke their screens, 37 percent scratched them. 29 percent spilled drinks on them. Another 29 percent dropped their phones down the stairs. And 20 percent dropped them in the toilet.
Eww.
The Case For and Against Protection
Buying a case seems like a no-brainer. But plenty of people skip it. They argue that no case offers complete protection. Realistically, they are right. You cannot armor a slab of glass and aluminum to the point where it survives a fall from the roof onto concrete.
Case-free users also point to design. Cases add bulk. They hide the sleek lines manufacturers spend millions engineering. Some argue they can even harm the phone. Dirt and debris can get trapped between the case and the device’s finish. That grit becomes an abrasive agent. It scratches. It ruins the look.
Then there is the cost. High-quality protection is expensive. You usually need a new one every time you upgrade. And let us not forget the docking issue. If you charge your phone in your car or connect it to a home stereo, a bulky case might force you to remove the cover every single time. That is tedious.
But here is the counterargument. A case protects the corners, edges, and back. These are the parts that take the brunt of impact. A good cover mitigates shock and vibration. Without it, a drop might not crack the screen, but it can shatter the camera lens. Modern phones have sleek, slick finishes. They slip. A grippy case keeps you from dropping it in the first place.
Even basic cases buy you seconds. Maybe you drop your phone in a puddle of spilled beer. A case gives you a fraction of a second to snatch it out of harm’s way. Some phones have waterproof cases, but for most of us, a standard rubber or silicone cover is enough to prevent minor disasters.
How to Protect Your Phone Without a Case
If you refuse to use a cover, you need to be smarter. The best protection is behavior. Keep the phone in a safe place. Do not leave it on the edge of a table. Do not carry it loosely in a pocket where it can slide out.
Be careful. When the phone is not in its protective shell, it is vulnerable. Treat it like a diamond. Handle it with care. Place it where it is not at risk of falling to the floor. If you are careless, you will pay for repairs or replacement.
Best Materials for Phone Cases
Not all covers are created equal. The material matters immensely.
Absorbent materials are superior. Rubber and silicone are excellent choices. They dampen shock. They absorb vibrations that would otherwise travel into the device’s fragile components. Plastic cases are not ideal. They are rigid. They do not absorb shock well. They transfer the force directly to the phone.
Cheap cases can be good. Provided they are made of the right materials and fit your phone’s dimensions perfectly. But avoid leather cases. They offer poor protection. They do not absorb impact. They are aesthetic choices, not protective ones.
Disadvantages of Using Covers
There are downsides. Obviously, they make your phone look less aesthetic. The original design is buried.
Functionality can suffer. If a case is not specially designed for your model, it might make buttons harder to press. It might interfere with ports. It might make the phone too thick to fit in certain pockets.
Debris is another issue. Dust and lint accumulate between the case and the phone. If you do not clean it out, that grit scratches the finish. It is a maintenance task many people ignore until it is too late.
Do Smartphone Cases Really Work?
Yes. To a degree. They provide adequate protection. They absorb shock. They prevent direct contact with hard surfaces. But they are not magic shields. You still need to be smart about how you handle your device.
I recommend using a case. I also recommend not using your phone anywhere near a toilet.
A Parent’s Perspective
Before I had my daughter, I laughed at parents who let their kids play with smartphones. I thought it was reckless. Then she reached for my iPhone at three months old. I realized I was in for a challenge.
The T-Mobile survey notes that one in four parents has had their smartphone damaged by their kids. My daughter does not destroy my phone. She grabs it while I am using it. My case helps. It gives me extra grip. It prevents slippage when she tugs.
Some big-box stores even sell specialty cases in the baby section. They are designed for kid-proof protection. My Casemate iPhone case is not invincible. It cannot withstand her full tantrums. But every bit of protection helps. Especially when you are trying to keep a three-year-old from turning a $600 gadget into a paperweight.
Sources:
– Carnoy, David. “Top 25 Tough iPhone Cases.” CNET. March 2010.
– Kelton Research Smartphone Protection Survey. “Smartphone Safety.” T-Mobile.
– Lifehacker. “Should I Use a Case on a Phone?” April 2012.
