THE ULTIMATE CELL PHONE CASES BUYING GUIDE
Your cell phone is one of the most important accessories you carry, if not thee most important. It holds your life on a microchip. Phone numbers, addresses, personal information, your favorite games, your schedule and some of your favorite tunes. When we leave the house without it, we feel naked. Exposed. Over the years the cell phone has become a part of ourselves. It’s dire that we protect this part of ourselves in the most effective way possible. A cell phone case can be the best armor for your other half. But finding the most “fitting” case for your wants and needs can be challenging. We’re here to assure you that it’s not.
A case serves so many functions for a phone other than protection. These days, with all the designs you can get for your phone case, it says something about your personality too. If you choose floral, you must be kind and lighthearted. If you choose a camouflage case you must be tough and alert, if you choose to put a Kardashian on your cellphone, you must have a sense of humor. There are so many ways to express yourself with a mere cellphone case.
Today there are so many choices for cellphone cases: bumpers, skins, shells, pouches/sleeves, body films, flip cases, arm bands … it can get overwhelming to hone in on one. What do you need? What do you want? What’s out there? What is everyone using? How much does it cost? First you need to start at the beginning. A very good place to start.
It feels like the cellphone has only been around since the 90’s when Zack Morris held that giant mobile phone up against his ear before and after “Time Outs”. It was then that every teen in America said “I WANT THAT”! (The Phone. For the purposes of this article… the phone.) The first mobile phone call was surprisingly enough made in 1973. Yes, it’s true! There were, what were called “portable hand-held phones” back in the 70’s. And since then, manufacturers have been including accessories, such as the cell phone case, to join the mobile phone on its journey through time and convenience.
Let’s start with a very simple question we might often wonder. “Do I even need a cell phone case”? You’d think that the answer would be a resounding “YES”! However, there are two sides to this cell phone case story.
THE PROS:
Now is NOT the time to try defying gravity. When you drop things, they fall. That’s the nature of dropping things. If your phone doesn’t have a case, you risk subjecting your phone to bumps and bruises. A lot of phones don’t have the best backs for gripping. It’s almost as if they’re designed to be slippery so you have to buy more products to protect them! (The vicious cycle of consumer goods) If you find yourself dropping things often, the argument FOR the cell phone case gains a few extra points.
Don’t forget that scratches and dings add up making the resale value of your phone drop significantly. When you upgrade to your next phone, having had a case on your previous phone makes it that much easier to get a FREE upgrade. And I know we all like the word “FREE”.
Something that’s NOT free is getting your cell phone fixed. It can cost upwards of $300 to fix a broken cell phone that, let’s face it, probably became broken after a “couple” of cocktails at that party you went to, ironically to show off your new cell phone.
CONs
An issue found with cases is the overheating aspect of a phone. Your battery and overall phone life don’t stand a chance against temperature. Cases only increase the heat surrounding your phone.
The arguments for NOT having a case stem from a distaste in bulkiness. Consumers want something sleek and slim that they can slip in and out of their pockets without taking up too much room or causing too much of a ruckus. They keep making cellphones thinner and if you throw on a case, it defeats the purpose of these modern designs. Cases are also prone to excess dirt and even more damage to the outside look of your phone. They come with lots of nooks and crannies where a lot of damaging matter can nest. If you’re on a tight, tight budget, you’re also saving a bit of money by not getting a case. The money you would spend on a case can be spent on something else… It’s so easy to end up spending upwards of $40- $70 a pop on cell phone accessories.
If you vote “NO” on the cell phone case, you can still protect it with insurance (Some plans for only $100 a year) you can get specific protection plans for dropping, water damage etc. Extended Warrantees are never a bad idea. You can also purchase screen protectors which can assist the front AND back of your phone from superficial damage.
TYPES OF CELL PHONE CASES
We, of course, ultimately recommend that you invest in a cell phone case! And when going down that road, it’s important to ask yourself what type of cell phone case you actually need. Do you need something simple and light? Do you drop your cell phone often? Do you do a lot of deep sea diving? What type of phone do you have? Obviously a Galaxy case is going to differ from an iPhone case. They vary in size and style (including button and camera lens placement). They do make universal cellphone cases, but these tend to run bulkier than you might want/need and provide some limitations to instant use.
Cellphones are breaking. It’s happening every day, multiple times a day. The amount of times an LCD touch screen digitizer replacement is purchased off the internet has reached into the hundreds of thousands in a month’s time!
Earlier in this article I mentioned the different types of cellphone cases that you can get. Let’s break those down to give you a better understanding of what to look for come purchasing time.
BUMPERS
Rectangular, wraps around the border of the iPhone protecting the corners of the phone. Rubber made to create a “Bounce-like” protection for the most targeted damaged areas when a phone is dropped.
PRO – simple and affordable.
CON – Apple no longer makes these, but other company manufacturers do.
Average Price - You can get it for a few bucks these days.
SKINS
More of a vinyl, flexible, peal-able film that doesn’t provide much protection but has a ton of unique designs to decorate the exterior of your phone. Constructed of silicone and considered a “soft-fitted case. These fall under a similar category of “faceplates”. However, as a result of the flexibility of the silicone, they’re known for absorbing shock much better than the harder cases. Blackberrys benefit the most from a case like this.
PRO – flexible and absorbs shock well
CON – Protection is not a priority for this case.
Average Price - $10
SHELL
This case fully encloses the cell phone (back & sides) Dings and scratches on the back of your phone are a thing of the past with the shell case. It’s always recommended to get a shell case that crosses over a bit to the front of the phone, that way you’re not as susceptible to screen damage when you place a phone face down. These cases are also referred to as the “snap-on” cases and don’t run too expensive. The shell cases are good at keeping all the features on your phone available for quick and easy use.
PRO – Makes features & buttons on phone easily accessible.
CON - No screen protector
Average Price - $10 - $60
POUCHES & SLEEVES
These are great for the overall protection of your phone. If you decide to go with a case that’s slimmer (like a body film or skin), the pouches and sleeves create a comfy, secure home for your phone, protecting it from scrapes, scratches, dings and dents. They can also come with a strong belt clip that makes you confident in its sturdiness. The belt clips can be added to other cases as well. Some say the only setback with the pouch is having to constantly remove the phone from it. Sometimes it’s easier to just pull it out of your pocket and start texting. Samsung users gravitate to this model. These cases are made from fabric material normally. Canvas or even leather.
CON – Not the easiest access to your phone
Average Price - $15 – $100 (real leather case)
FLIP
A flip case looks just like a wallet. In fact, it can even go so far as to replace a wallet completely. Provides great protection for your phone however, can be bulkier than you would like. It’s a useful accessory, especially the ones that come with sections for your cards/cash/ID. This case is great and stylish, but can run a little more expensive than other cases.
PRO – can hold other personal items
CON - Bulky
Average price – $15 - $30
ARM BANDS
Are you a Gym-aholic or do you like to run a lot? This case is perfect for you then, as it sits firmly on your wrist and has shock resistance and moisture protection. There are specific “exercise arm bands” that strap to your upper arm as well, leaving an active person feeling secure in the accessibility and safety of their phone.
PRO – allows you to be more mobile
CON – only really appropriate when you’re exercising
Average price - $20 – 60
WATERPROOF
Let’s say someone “accidentally/on purpose” throws you in the pool. Or you’re so hot and sweaty that can’t wait to get in the water so you just run in without much thought about what’s in your pocket. Throw caution to the wind! It’s not the end of the world if your cell phone is in your pocket when you are doused in liquid if it’s wearing a waterproof case. It’s a hard plastic design with bumpers all around to create a water-seal, air-tight caulk. A meteorologists dream.
PRO – Protects phone from spills and potential water damage
CON – Is not 100% waterproof
Average Price - $20 - $30
ULTIMATE PROTECTION
Hiking? Wrestling? Spelunking? This is your case. It protects you from just about anything. Life-proof protection is definitely the heaviest and bulkiest of the phone cases, but what’s a little bulk when it comes to protecting one of your children?
PRO – The best protection for your phone out there
CON – Bulky. Very, very bulky.
Average Price - $50-$100
• Be careful when getting anything with Aluminum backing. It could potentially effect your cell phone signal.
HOW TO BUY QUALITY CASE
The price of a case will vary on what you ultimately need. There are many ways to spot a quality phone case. Read the small print on your case and take note of the material. Read reviews online. Unfortunately there are a ton of illegal duplications of cell phone cases out there. Buying your case from a reputable site like Ghostek is a great way to ensure that you’re getting the best.
Being that most cases fall under one of the following categories: Soft fitted, pouches, snap-ons or aluminum, you should be well educated in order to make the best, most informed decision.
The type of material used to make each case varies as well as its style. Cases and covers became almost obsolete as phones were being made tougher and sturdier throughout time. But recently, the newer phones to hit the market are made more delicately and “slimming down” on a phone’s thickness has been a popular fad for these devices, so cases are truly becoming relevant again.
TYPES OF MATERIAL USED FOR CASES
Silicone/Gel – Surprisingly enough this is considered one of the more popular materials used in cell phone case creation. Flexible and price friendly. The skin- type, mentioned above, are often used from this material.
Rubber – “Rubber Baby Buggy Bumper Babysitting service” – The Simpsons. In other words, rubber was used for the Bumper mobile protectors first and foremost.
Leather – Used for Flips, sleeves and holsters. Terrific protection and a nice feel/look to the product. Synthetic leathers are used for the same types of phones, definitely cheaper but are missing the upscale look of actual leather.
Metal – Used in the Ultimate Protective cases. Adds weight and dollars to your cell phone case purchase.
Hard Plastic – used for the Shell cases, helps with superficial phone injuries, cheaper than most cases… but you get what you pay for.
Cotton – Sleeves, pouches and socks. It’s breathable, yes and can also be used to make a ton of different designs and colors, but can get dirty easily and isn’t the best protection for your phone.
CONCLUSION - HOW TO BUY THE BEST CASE
When you are choosing a case for your cellphone, again keep in mind that cellphones come in all shapes and sizes. You may see a case that speaks to you, but you could be an iPhone user and the case could be for a Samsung. Keep your eyes open and remember a few things while browsing cases:
BUDGET
Prices vary quite a bit for cases. You’ll feel pressured to leave the apple store with a cellphone case purchased alongside your phone. Be Warned: These tend to be far more expensive bought in house then bought online. Don’t settle for an inferior case just to save a few Presidential flashcards, go for quality. And also keep in mind that expensive phone cases do not always equal the best quality phone case.
BROWSE
Shopping for a cellphone case is similar to shopping for a car (or a date, for that matter). Don’t go with the first case that comes along. There are so many options. It’s good to keep an open mind and to make sure you’ve researched all different types. You may purchase a cellphone case and then a week later run into one that you like better. There goes the money you spent on that first one! Don’t be in a rush to get something as important as a cell phone case. Look around. Explore your options. Impulse buys are not your friend when it comes to protecting the things you love. Start here: www.ghostekproducts.com
USE
How often do you use your phone? How often do you abuse your phone? Are you clumsy? Do you keep a lot of bombs and knives in your purse ready to damage your beloved cell phone? Are you a mermaid? You do NOT have to sacrifice style for protection. This goes along with “browsing” through your options. Your daily activities play a HUGE part in your cell phone case choice!
YOU
What kind of case you get says something about your personality. Find a case design that feels like you. Without even opening your mouth and saying anything about yourself, your cell phone case can actually cover quite a bit of that for you
Accessories enhance quite a bit when it comes to your phone. Case Material matters. You have so many choices from durable to film. Rubberized plastic to leather. A case’s main purpose should be to be your first line of defense against gravity. Style and design are in second place. Your case is meant to make life easier and not more difficult. Don’t forget that. Easy access to your screen and buttons is a key feature of what to look for when purchasing a case. On top of that, belt clips and/or holsters are a good buddy for your phone. Throwing it into your bag is not the best idea. If you have it in an easy access location on yourself you’re better off.
Bottom line is, you’re paying so much for your cell phone, why not spend a few extra dollars to give it the protection it deserve. Protect your assets.
Ghostek offers you a wide range of cellphone accessories, including cases, in high style and protection. When shopping for the best for your phone there’s no need to look further than Ghostek. We have everything you need!
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