A wise man once said “to case or not to case, that is the question?”
Which side do you fall on? I’m going to talk about the pros and cons of having a case on your phone or whether going caseless is the way to go.
Whether you have an iPhone, an Android Phone, or something else, you will have definitely decided which side of the argument you fall on to, or if you’re lucky enough to have got your first phone you might be wondering if you should invest in a case or not. In this article, I’ll be discussing the issue breaking down the advantages and disadvantages of different types of cases.
First of all, let’s talk about why you might want to have a case on your phone. The most obvious reason is drop protection. No matter how careful you are, accidents happen and you don’t want to end up with a cracked screen or a shattered back. I’ve had a lot of phones over the years and only two of them have ever suffered a cracked screen, most notibly, my windows phone (yes, I had a windows phone), I was jumping around with the phone loose in my pocket, and it made an escape and hit the floor, landing face down. I picked it up and my (caseless) phone that I’d only had for a few weeks was ruined. I learnt the hard way, but since that day, I’ve always had cases on my phones.
But although some phones are naturally more durable than others, none of them are immune to damage. A case can help absorb the impact and redistribute the force, saving your phone from serious harm.
Another reason to use a case is to protect your phone from scratches and other cosmetic damage. While this might not affect the functionality of your phone, it can affect its appearance and resale value. So, if you are conscious about keeping your phone looking pristine or if you plan to sell it in the future, a case can help preserve its condition.
A third reason to use a case is to customize your phone and express your personality. There are so many cases out there with different colors, patterns, designs, and features. If you’re extravagent and flamboyant then you are going to be able to find one that suits your style and makes your phone stand out from the crowd.
Now that we’ve covered some of the benefits of having a case on your phone, let’s look at some of the drawbacks. One of the main disadvantages of using a case is that it can add bulk and weight to your phone. So depending on the type and size of the case, it can make your phone harder to hold, fit in your pocket, or use with certain accessories. The (recent) iPhone for example, has it’s magsafe feature, if you have magsafe compatible accessories then you’re going to want a case that is also magsafe compatible, that carries over the feature, but unfortunately most cases don’t have that feature, which can often lead you to a decision whether to have the protection of a case or just stick with the accessory leaving your phone caseless.
Certain cases can affect the performance of your phone, some can block your phone signal, causing dropped calls or slow data speeds. Some cases can also trap heat inside your phone, making it overheat and drain the battery faster. So if you do opt for a case on your phone then you want to avoid cases that excessively cover the antenna or vents of your phone and cases that can cause your phone to get noticeably warm.
A final drawback, is that it can cost you money. While some cases are very cheap and affordable, others can be quite expensive and overpriced. You might end up spending more money on a case than you need or want and you might also end up buying multiple cases for different occasions or moods, which can add up very quickly.
So how do you decide if you should use a case on your phone or not? Well, it depends on several factors, such as:
- Type and model of your phone
- The quality and durability of the case
- The level of protection you need
- The style and design you like
- Your budget
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. You have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself and see what works best for you and your phone.
To help you out, I’m going to show you some examples of different types of cases and their pros and cons. Let’s start with hard cases.
Hard cases are made from materials like plastic, metal, or glass. They are usually thin and rigid, offering good protection against drops and scratches. They also come in various colors and designs, giving you plenty of options to choose from.
However, hard cases also have some drawbacks. In certain hands, they can be slippery and difficult to hold, increasing the risk of dropping your phone and the cases themselves tend to show scratches more easily than soft cases.
Examples of hard cases are:
- ABS/PC plastic cases, which are flexible and durable cases that can protect your phone from moderate drops and impacts.
- Tempered glass cases, which tend to be sleek and stylish cases that can protect your phone from scratches and fingerprints.
- Metal cases, which are strong and sturdy cases that can protect your phone from severe drops and shocks.
Soft cases are made from materials like silicone, leather, or TPU, which is a soft plastic. They are usually flexible and cushiony, offering good shock absorption and grip. They also come in various textures and patterns, giving you plenty of options to choose from.
However, they can attract dust and dirt more easily than hard cases and they can also get stained or discolored by sweat or other substances. They also tend to lose their shape over time and can become loose or saggy on your phone.
Examples of soft cases are:
- Silicone cases, which are smooth and soft cases that can protect your phone from minor drops and scratches.
- Leather cases, which are elegant and classy cases that can protect your phone from dust and dirt.
- and TPU cases, which areflexible and durable cases that can protect your phone from moderate drops and impacts.
Lastly, we have combo cases, which tend to be made from a combination of hard and soft materials, such as plastic and rubber. They are usually thick and sturdy, offering the best protection against drops and shocks. They also come in various shapes and sizes, giving you plenty of options to choose from.
The combo cases, can add a lot of bulk and weight to your phone, making it cumbersome and unwieldy. They can also be expensive and hard to find for some models of phones. They also tend to cover most of the phone’s design, hiding its original beauty.
Some examples of combo cases are:
- Hybrid cases, which have a hard shell and a soft bumper, providing dual-layer protection for your phone.
- Rugged cases, which have extra features like kickstands, holsters, or belt clips, providing extra functionality for your phone.
- and Wallet cases, which have slots or pockets for cards, cash, or IDs, providing extra convenience for your phone.
But while we’ve so far only discussed phones with cases, what about going caseless. There are some benefits of keeping your phone caseless too:
Without a case, your smartphone will be thinner and lighter, fitting more easily into your pocket or a purse. While most people buy beautiful looking smartphones then hide them in generic cases. Just remember without a case, you will be able to show the world the colour and beauty of your smartphone’s native design.
From a functionality point of view, Some cases interfere with gestures, especially those that involve swiping inward from the edge of the screen but without a case, those gestures become far easier to perform.
Every year, manufacturers create millions of phone cases that end up in landfills when people upgrade their phones or change their cases, so without a case, you can reduce your environmental impact.
Of course, the drawbacks of going caseless, such as increased risk of damage, scratches, or fingerprints are the exact reasons as to why you would get a case. But even if you don’t want a case, you may want to consider using a screen protector or a skin to protect your phone from these issues. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what works best for your phone and your lifestyle.
So there you have it. A quick overview of the pros and cons of having a case on your phone or going caseless.
Are you team case or team caseless?
Check out the video to this discuss on my YouTube channel: