Smartphones nowadays are made of metal or glass, and keeping them safe and free of damage can be difficult. If you’re looking to buy a phone case, you might wonder what types of cases are available or which phone case brands you should trust.
We do our best in this case buyer’s guide to answer these questions and highlight some of the best smartphone case manufacturers available.
What to look for in a phone case?
One of the first important decisions you must make is the type of phone case you want to purchase. We are pleased to inform you that you now have numerous options. Here’s a quick recap:
- Thin cases: These provide trade protection while remaining stylish and simple. They add little bulk to the phone but provide little drop protection or extra features.
- Hybrid cases: These are the “normal” cases that you see at most retailers, and they come in a wide range of designs.
- Rugged cases: Thick and bulky, rugged cases provide maximum drop protection at the expense of design niceties. They frequently include extras such as kickstands and waterproofing.
- Wallet cases: Wallet cases allow you to protect your phone while storing cards, IDs, or cash. Aside from cardholder cases, there are also folio-style cases with screen protectors.
- Magnetic cases are intended to work with magnetic accessories, such as Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem. There are few options, and they’re rather specialized, but they can open up some intriguing possibilities.
- Battery cases: While too large for everyday use, cases with an integrated battery pack are ideal for camping or long trips. They frequently have reverse-wireless charging for other accessories as well.
- Waterproof cases: Most flagship phones now have some level of water resistance, but none can withstand saltwater. These uncommon and niche cases exist to fill that void.
- Skins: Skins aren’t technically cases, but they frequently perform the same function. However, they provide very little protection because they simply adhere to your phone with adhesive, much like a sticker.
Thin and hybrid cases are ideal for the majority of people. They provide an excellent balance of protection and style, often without breaking the bank. Furthermore, there are so many different designs and colors to choose from (including clear cases) that you’re bound to find one that matches your personality.
Some brands even allow you to personalize the case with text or other designs. You have even more options if you want your case to be more functional. Wallets and magnetic cases are useful for everyday use, and more specialized options, such as battery cases, can be useful in certain situations.
If you work in the field (or are simply clumsy), rugged cases often provide military-grade protection, preventing major damage from drops of up to 20 feet.
What materials are phone cases made of?
Polymers such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polycarbonate (PC), and silicone are commonly used to make phone cases. TPU is the most commonly used material because it provides the best balance of weight, flexibility, and durability.
To add bumpers and other protective elements to a case, more rigid plastics such as PC are typically used in conjunction with TPU. These cases also have a variety of design options, such as clear finishes and a variety of color options.
Silicone is ideal for phone cases due to its flexibility, durability, and soft rubbery finish.Silicone is ideal for phone cases due to its flexibility, durability, and soft rubbery finish. It is less likely to crack than TPU or PC, and it is typically thinner and lighter.
They also come in a variety of colors, but due to their rubbery texture, they are much more difficult to clean. Phone cases contain TPU, PC, silicone, bioplastics, and luxury materials such as leather and wood. Leather can also be found in cases, but usually as part of a hybrid design.
This means that the interior of the case is TPU, and the exterior is covered in a thin layer of leather. These cases are beautiful and develop a patina over time, but the thin leather layer is easily damaged. Keep this in mind before making a purchase.
In recent years, we’ve also seen more environmentally friendly materials used in cases, such as biodegradable plastic and even wood. These are less resistant than polymers and frequently last less time.
However, most people will upgrade their phones every few years, and when they do, the plastic case will be discarded. This is a way to reduce your environmental impact.
What are the best phone case manufacturers?
Of course, at some point, you will be at the mercy of what phone case brands have available for purchase. Each brand has its own line of unique cases, and the same designs are generally released for different phones. Popular phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 or the Apple iPhone 13, often have a much wider selection of cases available. What are you talking about
Here’s a breakdown of each major phone case manufacturer and the types of cases they offer to give you an idea of what’s available.
Spigen
Spigen cases have long been a favorite of ours here at Android Authority, as well as our readers. The company provides an excellent selection of cases, primarily thin or rugged, for a variety of phones.
The Rugged Armor is the easiest Spigen case to recommend because it is thin and light while still providing everyday drop protection. The carbon-fiber elements on the back look great, and the raised lip around the display protects your screen from damage.
Otterbox
Otterbox is yet another behemoth in the phone case market, specializing in heavy-duty cases. Otterbox cases are typically large and bulky, and they aren’t the most visually appealing, but they will keep your phone safe from accidental bumps and drops.
It may be worthwhile to purchase an expensive case to ensure that your far more expensive smartphone remains undamaged for as long as possible.
Fortunately, the company produces cases for all of the major brands, including Samsung, Apple, Google, Motorola, OnePlus, and Huawei, among others.
The Defender series, which is thick and heavy and has many layers of protection, is our favorite Otterbox case. It also has dust and debris-resistant covers for all buttons and ports, as well as a built-in belt clip that doubles as a kickstand.
Speck
Speck cases are a great alternative to the two case brands mentioned above. They don’t provide as much protection as Otterbox cases, but they’re less expensive. They are more expensive than Spigen cases, but they are more protective and have more color and design options.
The company makes cases for all major flagship phones, but support for midrange and entry-level phones is limited. The few entry-level cases offered by the company are slightly less expensive than flagship offerings.
The Presidio Grip is Speck’s most popular case and the one we’d recommend to most people. The name refers to the raised ridges on the back of the case that aid in grip.It comes in a variety of colors (including clear), and a more recent version called Presidio2 Grip has an anti-microbial coating.
Wrapping up
Mobile Shark has a huge collection of mobile phone cases from a range of manufacturers mentioned above and many more. Explore our collection today to find the perfect cases for your mobile phone.
