A quick glance around a public place will show that most of
us have some kind of protective casing around our smartphones these days.
However, beyond that single shared trait, you’ll find a seemingly endless
variety of cases in use, some of them doing little more than providing an
additional fashion aesthetic, while others encase their smartphones in tiny,
nearly indestructible tanks. If you’re new to the smartphone world and you’re
looking to get it a little extra protection from all the potential harm out
there, here are 4 things you should keep in mind as you shop around:
Determine What Kind Of Benefit You’re Looking For
No case will be perfectly suited for every need, so it’s
important to take stock of your daily smartphone use and determine what’s best
for you. Cases can provide extra battery juice, make certain functional tasks
easier (such as equipping a Bluetooth keyboard, or attaching your phone to your
car’s dashboard to utilize the wide range of driving-based apps), protect your
smartphone from falls or liquid spills, or simply be used as an additional form
of decoration.
Remember To Check The Case’s Fit
With the wide range of case models out there, it can be
extremely easy think you’ve found the perfect fit in a store, only to later
find out that your volume or mute button is actually obscured. Most cases will
actually have a long list of compatible phones on the package, so even though
you see a “Samsung Galaxy approved” statement on the front, make sure that it
actually supports your new S4 and not just the S3.
Whenever Possible, Chose A Case That Uses Rubber
Although it’s rarely the most chic, rubber is one of the
safest components to make a smartphone case out of. If you don’t want your
device swaddled in it like a diminutive batman costume, you should at least opt
for something that has a bit of rubber on the interior and/or exterior corners.
This will greatly increase the odds of your smartphone surviving a long fall to
the harsh, unforgiving pavement below.
Remember The Cost Of Your Phone Before Looking Into 1st
Party Cases
It’s no surprise that 1st party accessories are
the most expensive on offer, but many of us still go to them first out of brand
recognition. While you’ll certainly be getting your smartphone the best case
available on the market that way, you may get taken advantage of a bit also.
There can be an incredible price difference between various smartphone models
from a particular supplier, and even a great deal of variation between phones
of the same model. Storage space, camera quality, and a multitude of other
features means that a particular smartphone model can run anywhere from
$400-800, with some going higher. And—as you’ve inevitably learned from other
consumer gadgets—when you buy something 1st party, you’re always
going to be paying for the highest possible bracket, regardless of the fact
that your particular phone might not have 4g capabilities and the largest
possible hard drive. So while an $80 case might be just fine for the higher end
models, you probably don’t want to spend a quarter or more of the value of your
smartphone just on something to stick it in, and may be better served by seeing
what a few 3rd party manufacturers have to offer.
Beyond all of these considerations, the most important thing
is to find something that you’re actually comfortable holding on a daily basis.
It’ll encourage you to always keep your phone protected within it, and might
actually save you a costly repair charge one day.
Author bio:
John is a blogger who has dropped and chipped every single
phone he has ever owned, even going back to the landline handset he had in his
dorm in college. He writes for protectyourbubble.com,
an Internet insurer that can help protect your smartphone—including Samsung’s
new Galaxy S4—from all the damage that your case can’t stop.
