How to choose a case for a smartphone?

The market of mobile accessories is the buyer's market. The assortment of different covers and bumpers is now simply gigantic. How not to get confused and choose exactly the cover, which will meet your expectations 100%?
The choice of a cover for a smartphone buyers in salons sometimes give even more time, rather than the choice of the gadget. It's understandable: it's the case that plays the decisive role in how the smartphone will look. However, there is a clear imbalance in the catalogs of mobile communication and electronics stores: there are a lot of covers for iPhone and Samsung of different types on the shelves, but to buy an accessory for a Chinese model like Xiaomi or Meizu is a real problem.
But this problem has a solution. In the article we will tell you where and how to purchase a cover for any smartphone, and also we will specify if it is worth buying a universal accessory.
Do I need a case for a smartphone?
Demonstration of the bright personality of the gadget owner is not the only reason why a cover is needed. This accessory also performs other functions:
Serves for protection. It is the protective function is the main thing - any case even with the most non-trivial design should be able to save the gadget when it falls or soften the blow.
Serves for convenience. The cover provides friction, due to which the risk of slipping the gadget from the hand is reduced to a minimum. In addition, the case facilitates a more comfortable use of the device with a metal case in the cold season.
What do the cases make of?
Material for the cover can serve as:
Leather. Unfortunately, most of the "leather" cases are made not of natural material, but of leatherette. The buyer can verify this when he reads the contents of the label. The low value of the material explains the minimum cost of such cases (200-300 rubles). Clip-case made of genuine leather from Apple costs about 3500 rubles.
Plastic. Covers of this material are the cheapest - in salons you can find similar accessories with a cost below 100 rubles. The main drawback lies in the tactile sensations: it is much less pleasant to touch the plastic case than to the leather case. But plastic - a flexible material: from it you can create an accessory even the most bizarre shape.
The cloth. Tissue covers are a thing of the past and are in demand only among the inveterate conservatives. Tissue cover is not able to save the gadget when it falls - it can only protect against dust and scratches. The cost of such accessories is very low - in salons they are usually listed as stock goods and are sold for 50-70 rubles.
Silicone. Silicone case - another anachronism. Such products were at the peak of popularity a dozen years ago - then they were put on push-button models. Now in the shops you can find covers on the rear panels of silicone - and at the lowest prices. Silicone has a significant drawback - it is short-lived: the cover of this material just a few months of operation is literally falling apart.
Tree. A cover made of wood is a real find for fans of environmentally friendly materials. However, such an accessory is quite difficult to find in shop windows - in addition, its cost can be an unpleasant surprise for the buyer.
Metal. From the point of view of protection to metal cases, there are no questions - they provide the best protection in comparison with products from other materials. However, the metal case significantly increases the weight of the gadget, and this can bring the owner of the mobile device an inconvenience. In addition, the cost of accessories made of metal is quite high.
What types of covers are found?
Covers differ from each other not only by the materials from which they are created, but also by the way the gadget is fastened, the degree of protection, shape, design. Starting from all the above criteria, you can determine that the cases are of the following types:
Flip-case (it's also a hinged cover). Often such a cover is called a book, but this is erroneous: book covers look different. The folding cover consists of two panels: front and rear. The rear has side edges that secure the device. The front panel closes the screen when the smartphone is not in use, and flips down when it becomes necessary to receive a call.
Flip-cases are very popular. This case perfectly performs a protective function, protecting the gadget from all sides. The user can easily access all connectors and physical buttons. Especially important disadvantages of flip-cases are not, however, when buying it is worth paying attention to how the front panel is connected to the rear. If the mount is unreliable, the front panel may simply fall off during operation.
Recently, flip-cases without side edges are common - the gadget is attached to the "sticky tape". To buy such cases is not recommended for a number of reasons (even despite the cheapness): firstly, the smartphone inside such a product is not fixed securely and can fall out, and secondly, there will be a trace on the back edge of the gadget from Velcro.
Cover-book (he is also a cover-cover). Just like the flip-case, it consists of two panels, but the front panel is not folded down, but sideways.
These cases have a pretty presentable appearance and are very popular, especially among girls. In addition, they provide reliable protection. But even for book covers there are downsides. The main becomes obvious at the first attempt to receive a call: the front panel has to be wrapped behind the back when talking, otherwise it covers the user's face and wildly interferes. The second disadvantage is that now more and more covers are issued with "Velcro", and this fastening, as we have already noticed, is unreliable.
Since 2013, universal book covers with large cutouts on the rear panels (under the camera, flashlight and others) have appeared on the market. The cost of a universal cover is much lower than the original one, however, the buyer is likely to be disappointed with it.
Cover cover. On the assurances of many portals, the overlay is the most popular kind of smartphone cases. In fact, this is doubtful: case-books and flip-cases look impressive and protect them more reliably. The overlay covers only the back and sides - the screen remains vulnerable.
Advantages of cover pads are two: first, they do not increase the weight and size of mobile devices, and secondly, they give room for bold design solutions. For example, among young girls, the version of the cover-lining with hare ears is popular. The main drawback was casually mentioned: since the screen is not protected, the owner of the gadget has to glue the film.
Covers can be made of different materials. More common are accessories made of silicone and plastic, less of metal and wood.
Bumper. Bumper and does cover only the sides of the smartphone. Because of this, there is a feeling that the gadget is not protected at all
However, the bumper protects the smartphone much more securely than it seems. The edges of such an accessory protrude slightly above the surface of the smartphone, so if the gadget drops flat on the screen, there will be no damage - it's the bumper that will take a hit. The advantages of this cover are cheap, and also that it practically does not change the appearance of the device - for example, for many iPhone users it is extremely important to show that they have the iPhone in their hands.
Case. This option is the simplest and one of the cheapest, however it is not convenient to call a cover of this kind. The device is completely placed in the case-case and is withdrawn from it with the help of a hood.
The case is made of opaque material and has no cutouts that would give access to the connectors and physical buttons. The main advantage of the case is the ability to provide comprehensive protection for the gadget.
The popularity of such cases in the past, and one of the reasons for this - the worldwide trend to increase the size of mobile devices. The case for a smartphone with a diagonal screen of 5.5 inches would look absolutely ridiculous.
Holster. The holster, which is attached to the belt, is still in demand among men, although it looks like a "newcomer from the past."
The holster has two advantages: firstly, it really reliably protects the gadget, and secondly, the holster is easy to pick up for a smartphone of almost any size. However, to use a mobile device, it will have to be completely removed from such a cover, and this is far from convenient for everyone. In addition, the holster is not a modern solution: a young man who "dresses" his gadget in this way risks to be ridiculed by his peers.
There are other types of covers - for example, waterproof, sports type, with an additional battery - but they are less common than listed, and look, rather, specific solutions.
How to choose a case for a smartphone?
First of all, it is worth to abandon the purchase of universal covers, which consultants of the salons are often imposed on buyers as a worthy alternative in the absence of original accessories.
Universal book is not able to perform qualitatively any of the traditional functions of the case. It can not guarantee reliable protection, because the smartphone is attached to the rear panel only with Velcro. The universal case is also unlikely to please the design - most of these accessories are made in a very ascetic style.
To buy a case for a smartphone and do not regret it, follow these tips:
Determine if you need a cover urgently or you can wait. If your smartphone is "dressed" in an old cheholchik that "breathes on incense," but you can continue to protect the gadget for a while, you should order a new accessory in any Chinese online store (for example, GearBest or AliExpress). Chinese trading platforms have become a real discovery for Russians - here the prices are lower, and the assortment is wider. For owners of rare smartphone models, Chinese portals are a panacea; in the catalogs of these stores you can find a cover for almost any gadget. The only trouble is: deliveries from China have to be expected for a month and a half on average.
If you do not have a case that can protect your gadget on a temporary basis, it's better not to risk - you should abandon the option with China and purchase an accessory in the cabin.
Decide on the material and look of the future cover. Each user has his own subjective preferences and roughly represents his "perfect cover". On a compromise when choosing a cover to go is not necessary - this is the best way to be disappointed in the purchase.
Do not buy a cover in the cabin without measuring. Even if the box says that the accessory is designed for the model that lies in your pocket, you need to get the case from the package and put it on the smartphone. Why is it important? In the warehouses of retail outlets, real chaos is often created - especially when audits are conducted. As a result, the box may not be the same accessory, which is stated on the label.
Do not hesitate to ask for an exchange. For this you do not need a solid reason - it is enough to say that the accessory did not like. Exchange must be made if three conditions are fulfilled simultaneously:
Since the purchase was no more than 2 weeks;
The accessory has kept the presentation.
The buyer has a check.
Return the case back to the store without packing it is possible - but still it is better to save the packaging. Consultants of the store will find it difficult to sell a case that does not have a box.
Conclusion
Choosing which case for a smartphone is better, you should take into account not only the appearance of the accessory, but also the degree of its ability to protect the gadget. Cases-books and flip-cases perform the function of protection to "excellent", and therefore it is recommended to prefer it to their overlays and bumpers.