Getting a protective phone case has become a necessary item as smartphones are becoming slimmer and more delicate. While these designs offer a premium look for affordable mobiles, the thin display panels are prone to scratching and breaking since they’re harder to grip, making them easier to slip from your hands.
Therefore, if you want to use your phone for everyday tasks without a sturdy phone case, prepare to repair it often since modern smartphones are getting more difficult to fix, whether it’s iOS or Android. This happens because screens are more curved and have been built with strong glue and materials to make them waterproof.
Or, you could avoid it by getting the right phone case that can lengthen your phone’s lifespan considerably and keep it functional, so here’s what to look for in a protective phone case.
Make the difference between grippy and slippery cases
Not all phone cases provide the grip you need since smartphones are thin and slim. The first difference between these types of cases is visual, since those that are grippy tend to be bulkier, while slippery ones are smooth and slide easier. However, smooth cases are most likely not to protect your smartphone since they don’t prevent it from slipping off a car dashboard or a couch, or even from your hands.
On the other hand, a grippy case is built with features that offer more hand security and surface stability, since its design has textured sides that facilitate handling, and it keeps the phone in place on most surfaces. At the same time, the level of drop protection is higher due to air-pocket corners. Still, it may be true that sturdier cases tend to be bulky, so you might need to test a few brands before buying the one that suits your needs.
Focus on edge and camera protection
Repairing the edges or the camera might not be as difficult as the display, but scratches can definitely affect the quality of the phone, so from this perspective, a phone case is a must. However, you should know what features to look at, starting with raised bezels, which are at least 1.2 mm raised above the screen and camera lenses to protect them even when the phone is facing up or down.
Special functions like a pronounced raised ring or a cover for the lens boost protection for the camera from scratches and falls, whereas the edges of the phone will be more protected with reinforced corners that take the impact of a fall. But protection should go hand in hand with usability, and products like the Velvet Caviar phone cases come with 360° Screen & Camera Protection, and you can opt for adding a camera lens protector, textured side grips, and a 2.5 mm raised bezel around the camera. When you’re researching cases, make sure to navigate from the homepage to find a case that fits your smartphone model before purchasing.
Look for sturdy materials
The smartphone case industry evolved considerably, adopting the use of various materials that offer enhanced weight or style, but we’re looking for maximum protection and grip in this case. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is one of the most common as it combines features of a slim profile with great shock absorption, while polycarbonate (PC) has high levels of impact and scratch resistance.
Another great material is Aramid fiber, which is ultra-durable and can protect your phone from heavy-duty scratching and dropping. If you’re open to new types of cases, eco-friendly options of wood and glass offer consistent surface protection and are aesthetically pleasing.
On another note, some materials you may consider avoiding include silicone, which may have a smooth finish, but it’s not great against shock. Leather as well is a premium material used in some models of cases, but it’s not made to protect phones against harsh conditions (which include day-to-day handling).
Test the pocket comfort level
Regardless of how we describe materials and grip, the case you want should pass the pocket comfort test, considering you’re always carrying it in the pocket of your pants or skirt. Depending on how comfortable you feel with the case on the phone, you should use more or less sturdy materials. You may feel like compromising safety for comfort, but the right case material can protect your phone without making you feel like you’re carrying a brick.
Indeed, more comfortable cases tend to be the slim ones since they don’t add much thickness and can slip into regular jeans, while heavier-duty case materials can be uncomfortable when worn all day. But there’s always a solution to adapt to the situation according to your lifestyle. If you have a more easy-going schedule of going only to the office or school, you might prioritize comfort over sturdiness, whereas if you work in a more intense sector, such as blue-collar work, consider safety over aesthetics.
Consider compatibility with magnetic accessories
Finally, as a plus for your phone case, being compatible with magnetic accessories can support safe use cases in many situations. You can opt for a magnetic phone case that has a specific array of magnets installed so you can use magnetic chargers instead of traditional ones, or mount the phone to the dashboard or air vent of the car to be sure it won’t drop due to the strong magnets.
Portable charging is also possible with power banks and other multi-use accessories through magnets as well, so compatibility extends to a vast array of activities. However, you need to verify if the magnet on the case is strong enough so it doesn’t disconnect or affect your smartphone.
Final considerations
We’re using our smartphones in so many daily activities that it’s inevitable sometimes to slip from our hands and get scratches. Therefore, it would be best to protect them from costly repairs and get a sufficient case made from a sturdy material with grip features that allow you to hold it securely. Prioritize security for the edges and camera, and analyze what you need most between protection and ease of use, since cases can be more or less bulky. Â
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