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Phone Cases Worth it? Or is Wallet Protecting better?

Phone Cases Worth it? Or is Wallet Protecting better?

Are Phone Cases worth it?

With the release of new phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, Nexus 6P, and the upcoming iPhone 7, many people are eager to get their hands on new tech. Bigger and better phones are always coming out. People who care about the protection of their phones often get fed up after having to buy a new phone case every time.The question is: is it really worth it to keep buying these phone cases?


Most new phones have protection features built in like the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 which has partial water resistance. Features such as these make people wonder if it really is worth it to get a case.


There is always a trade-off when getting a phone case. Either you get a stylish case with no protection, or a durable case that looks horrible.


Mobile Accessories Growth

The mobile accessories industry is estimated over $81.5 billion in revenue in 2015 and is forecast to grow to $101 billion by 2020. This could be due to the increase of smart phone add-ons like VR and more advanced phone cases.


Phone Case Types:

If you look at the iPhone, its not enough to have an ordinary iPhone case. Cases now days are sophisticated, personable and functional.


Folio/Wallet: These phone cases open up like a wallet and have slots for credit cards and cash. Typically made out of leather and provide minimal drop protection but when closed it can prevent scratching. It’s got a great sleek and stylish look.


Sleeves: Keeps your phone looking like your phone. It adds colourful and stylish accents. Provides scratch protection but no protection against falls.


Battery packs: These provide your phone with more battery power. Depending on which case you get, it can provide you with a few more hours of battery life. It makes your phone a little more bulky and heavy. It has decent protection against falls but ultimately it is a battery so it will get damaged.


Armor: Provide the best protection and usually have an IP (Ingress Protection) rating. The downside to them is that they are often extremely bulky making it hard to fit in your pocket. It is important to get a good quality one, if it is cheaply made it won’t provide you with the intended protection.


Screen protectors: Cheap thin plastic coating for your screen. It helps against spills and scratches but will get difficult to use if they are heated.


Different types of Phone Case Materials:

Polyurethane (plastic):Advantages: Cheap, customizable, good protection.Disadvantages: Looks cheap, likely to crack or break.


Polycarbonate (plastic):Advantages: Super strong, light-weight, high impact resistance.Disadvantages: Bit bulky, slippery, grease and dirt build-up.


Carbon Fibre:Advantages: Thin and light, very strong, durable.Disadvantages: Limited patterns/colours, expensive.


Wood:Advantages: Highly customizable, unique/attractive.Disadvantages: Expensive, limited protection against falls.


Synthetic leather:Advantages: Waterproof.Disadvantages: May split or break easily, lower quality than natural.


Natural leather:Advantages: Long lasting, waterproof, improves with age.Disadvantages: Expensive, won’t protect very well against high impact.


How much protection is enough?

When it comes to basic everyday life you probably won’t be doing anything too crazy with your phone, but you would be surprised to see how many freak accidents occur.


According to recent surveys, the top 5 embarrassing ways to break or lose your phone were:


#1 Dropping it in water


#2 Putting in the washing machine


#3 Throwing it


#4 Dropping it out of a window


#5 Sitting on it


That being said, does that mean we should get military grade protection and seal our phones in waterproof pouches? To some degree sure, having better protection for your phone is great.


The problem is the ten hours it will take to answer or use the phone.


It really comes down to how much functionality and style you are willing to give up. Most people would be fine with a screen protector and decent scratch/fall resistance.


OtterBox carries a great line of phone cases that are stylish and functional, you can get for a great price on Amazon.com.


New phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and iPhone 7 have built in protection features, so adding a case will increase the protection level.


Reasons not to use a phone case:

Few reasons why people don’t get phone cases:


  • Wanting to admire the phone
  • Having to get a new case every time you get a new phone
  • Costs more money on an already expensive phone.

For most people, wanting to admire the phone and its intended look and design is part of the reason why they bought it in the first place. Handle your phone with care and if you are really concerned look into getting insurance.


Phone Insurance:


Getting insurance will typically cover:


  • Electronic and mechanical failures covered after your insurance expires
  • Accidents including: drops, cracks, liquid spills, submersion
  • Loss/theft

Depending on your phone carrier you will be looking anywhere from $6.00 – $13.00 a month and limited phone replacements.


So what’s the best course of action?


The Verdict

The decision to buy a case, insurance, or both depends on your comfort level. If you are a cautious person who wants the best protection then you should consider getting a high grade IP case.


If you’re on the other end, you can get a sleek screen protector which will enhance the look of the phone.


Phone cases are relatively cheap now days meaning that you can order one from Amazon and have one just in case. That way you can choose to put it on or leave it off worry free.


Getting insurance would be a good idea if you feel you are accident prone. If you have had a string of bad luck destroying your phone and would feel more comfortable with a backup plan, then by all means get yourself covered.


Whatever your decision it is important to realize that these phones are an investment. They have become an important part of our daily lives so be careful with your phone.