Accessories

How To Chose the Perfect Cell Phone Case

This article is meant to guide you in purchasing the perfect cell phone case for your mobile device. Before we begin, i’d like to point out that the article should really be titled “Choosing the Perfect Cell Phone Case for me,” since everyone will have a different taste when it comes to style and design.

Here are the factors you should consider when choosing a cell phone case:

• Convenience
• Fitment
• Protection
• Price
• Durability
• Style and design

When it comes to cases, there are generally 4 different types that most cases will fall under, pouches, snap-on, aluminum, or soft-fitted cases.

Pouches: Ideal for people who like to carry their phones on their belts, pouches generally come with heavy-duty belt clips that attach securely to your waist, allowing a safe place to keep your phone. One of the main advantages of pouches as a protective carrying solution is that they are generally very sturdy and have very strong belt clips. In terms of protection, it offers great protection when your phone is in the pouch but your phone is completely exposed to damage when taken out. If you don’t mind having to remove the phone from the pouch every time you want to make a call or check your e-mails, this would be a good solution to keeping your phone protected. Pouches are generally more expensive than your standard snap-on case and usually made of cowhide leather, polyurethane leather, neoprene or vinyl, making them very durable and some looking better over time as the leather ages. Stronger and more resilient to abuse compared to other types of cases, most pouches are compatible with a number of different phones, even though many are made with a specific phone in mind like the Samsung Omnia i910 Horizontal Leather Pouch – Black. One pouch can potentially accommodate the size of hundreds of different types of phones, the Samsung Leather Pouch – (OEM) Original AABC750SBEBSTD, which is compatible with cell phones like the Samsung Impression a877 and the Samsung Instinct S30 M810, is one such example. In terms of style and design, they are available in many colors, shapes, and sizes, also featuring unique designs like crocodile skin, zebra, and leopard prints. Newer pouches like the Apple iPhone 3g Chloe Dao Pinstripe Horizontal Pouch feature the designs of famous designers and are geared to attract the fashion-conscious customer.

Snap-on, Hard-plastic Cases: These cases offer convenience by offering exact fitment and most offering full access to your phone. Usually constructed of two pieces that snap to the bottom and the top of your phone, snap-on cases fit as close to your phone as possible. Accurate fitment and custom cutouts particular to each phone allow access to the charging ports, camera, volume button and keep all the functions of your phone intact. Due to the accurate fitment of the case for each phone, snap-on cases are usually compatible with a single phone or very rarely with a single series of phones like the BlackBerry Curve Series phones. Snap-on cases will not break the bank, most are cheap and can be purchased for under $10, with the higher brand-name quality cases like the BlackBerry Storm 9530 9500 Series Otterbox Defender Case – (OEM) Original – RBB2-9500S-20-C50 costing up to $50. Since snap-on cases fit directly over your phone, these cases tend to be as durable as the surface of your phone. Most are constructed of lightweight plastic that offers a second “shell” for your phone and gets its structural support from the actual phone, which make them weak against shock such as a 10 ft fall but make them ideal when it comes to protection against scratches, dents of scrapes. Some cases like the LG Vu CU920 Touchable Lens Protector Case – Clear includes a thin protective cover for the screen, but most leave the screen open for easy access. Snap-on cases come in a variety of colors and designs. Newer designs include Samsung Behold T919 Illusion Rubber Coated Plastic Case – Black Tribal Cross or BlackBerry Curve 8350i Hard Plastic Case – Grey 2D Plaid Cross, while other one color designs are pretty common in the market. Snap-on, hard-plastic cases are constructed of plastic and often are coated in paint. Even the “rubberized” snap-on cases are constructed of plastic but are covered in rubberized paint, giving them a rubber-like texture. Higher quality cases such as the Samsung Impression A877 Body Glove Snap-On Case – (OEM) Original 9099102 are constructed of a unique material that Body Glove calls “glove material,” while others are covered in durable leather, or polyurethane leather.

Aluminum Cases: Aluminum cases are literally the heavy weights when it comes to mobile protection. These sturdy cases feature a sturdy aluminum surface and a clam-shell design. Due to the heavy-duty aluminum construction most tend to be slightly on the heavier side when compared to the other types of cases. The majority of aluminum cases have a tough, hard plastic screen cover built into the case to protect the LCD screen. This means that if you want to access the touch-screen functions of you phone, the case needs to be opened before you can access the screen. Where it lacks in comfort and weight it makes up for it in protection. The durable aluminum surface can easily stand up to accidental drops, scratches, dents and general abuse. The tough, hard-plastic screen protector keeps the screen protected and secure, while the soft neoprene lining protects the phone from shock or impact. Aluminum cases come in a limited selection of styles. Most are either silver or black like the Samsung Omnia i910 Aluminum Case – Black but are available in other colors.

Soft-fitted Cases: This category includes silicone cases, which are cases constructed of silicone and often referred to as skin cases, leather cases and neoprene cases. Since cell phones are slipped into these soft-fitted cases, although fitment is generally very good, the phone tends to move when it is in the case. Soft-fitted cases offer very good protection against scratches and many of them offer a durable belt clip to keep your phone on your belt. They come in a variety of styles and some even come with a clear vinyl cover for the screen. Protection depends on the material of the case, which is usually silicone, neoprene or leather. Silicone tends to be very resilient and because of the flexible nature of silicone it does not crack or break. Silicone cases absorb shock better then hard-plastic cases or cases constructed of leather. Leather cases are durable and last a very long-time but offers average shock protection. Neoprene cases very tough and offer a good amount of shock protection. With soft fitted cases fitment tends to be better for the candy bar style phone like the BlackBerry Niagara 9630 rather than flip phones like the Motorola Nextel i776 or slider phones like the LG Xenon GR500. The price range for soft-fitted cases range from cheap silicone cases to more expensive leather cases that can cost up to $30.

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