Shopping for an iPhone Case and the Different Types Available

So you bought a new iPhone but you're worried about dropping or scratching it. The best way to keep it safe is by getting a case for it but with so many options which is best suited for you and do you even really need one? Chances are that sooner or later you're going to drop your phone, in most cases it's sooner rather than later. Now your smartphone's outer body is certainly strong enough to survive a few drops here and there, some phones are even being built out of metal materials to provide better protection against these mishaps but these tumbles unduly leave behind scratches and unwanted marks over time. Purchasing a case can not only provide another level of protection, act as that needed barrier to prevent any lasting damage from reaching your phone but also give you a way to make your phone feel unique by adding a case featuring a design that stylizes who you are and what your likes or hobbies are. For example if you're a cat person there are tons of cat themed cases and covers to choose from. While there is an ever growing amount of cases ranging from different styles, colors, texture and design there are two main categories that most cases fall into and that is either a hard plastic or soft gel case.

Silicon and Soft Gel Cases

Generally soft gel cases provide a higher level of protection because they're usually thicker than their plastic counterpart and also because the material used is often silicon or a similar material but always they are extremely scratch resistant and shock to protect if accidentally dropped. The down side to soft gel cases however is that for the most part they do not offer much in the way of design. Unlike the hard plastic cases that feature high resolution digitally printed designs on the rear panel, soft gel cases are mostly solid colors or feature simple designs. To make up for this some designers add 3D effects to their cases such as cat ears, skateboard wheels, sandal straps, etc. This is not possible on hard plastic cases because it would be too bulky and the plastic material is not flexible like the soft gel. One thing to keep in mind if you do decide to get a soft gel case is that they do stretch out over time. This takes a long time to happen and some cases last longer than others but actually they stretch out to a larger size than your iPhone rendering them useless. It does not help if you put on and take off the case often, think of taking a rubber band and stretching it constantly, it will always lose its elasticity.

Hard Plastic Cases

Plastic cases provide a great balance between good graphical design options and much needed durability while remaining practical. These types of cases are either to cracking or generally breaking beyond use if dropped from a moderate distance but they do provide a reasonable amount of protection against scratches, dings and dust that might gather on your phone. The plastic cases are usually designed in a sleek and modern style so they tend to be less bulky than the standard soft silicon cases making them an ideal choice for those who use their phone a lot or for business. One of the best things about hard plastic cases is their graphic design; they provide an empty canvas for designers to print a cool graphic or image. Usually the designs are only printed on the rear facing panel but sometimes the design calls for a full wrap of the case making them truly unique and one of a kind.

Now that you know the two most common types of phone cases available you can go out and make an informed decision about which one is better suited for your needs. If shopping online remember that it's best to browse around for the best price as in most cases you'll find the same case in multiple locations and the prices get can competitively.