Protecting smartphones – onlinepc.ch

Although most smartphones are not more beautiful, a case is recommended. Because it protects the phone from damage. On average, unprotected devices are twice as likely to break because they are protected in an accident.

This comes from the Clickrepair repair market, which has evaluated the damage data of about one million smartphones.

The protective cover is perfect for the smartphone model in particular, emphasizes Lisa Hinze of the telecommunications portal "Teltarif.de". But different users have different demands on the cases. Therefore, you should think about what the case should endure: should it rather protect against scratches or weather conditions? In addition, of course, functionality and practicality are crucial.

The look of the smartphone is in the foreground with what are called bumpers: These are frames of rubbery material. The bumper should cushion the falls and prevent damage. As the frame usually survives the fall, the screen does not have the strength of the impact, says Hinze. However, the bumpers do not offer optimal protection.

Pockets made of felt or cloth are also relatively unprotected. "These cases can protect the smartphone from scratches on the screen, but in case of a fall, damage is inevitable," says Jannik Degner of the telecommunications portal "SmartphonePiloten.de".

Cases that are plugged into the back of the smartphone are called Cases. These surround the outer edges of the device and protect it. There are cutouts for the controls. With hard cases, users can choose between several designs and colors – or even design them themselves. "A disadvantage of these cases is the touch, because the surface is relatively smooth," says Lisa Hinze. "Plus, no screen protector is guaranteed."

Grippers are so-called "soft" cases. These are made of soft materials such as silicone or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). "Softcases are lighter than hardcases because of the material," says Lisa Hinze. The case should not be too thin, because the pressure in a fall directly transmits to the smartphone. However, these cases also offer no screen protector. Screen films are a useful complement here.

Flip cases protect the smartphone from all sides. Because, in addition to a shell that includes the edges and back, the screen is covered with a hinged lid. This can be made of different materials and, for example, be partially transparent. The disadvantage: the housing must be open permanently. If you use your smartphone frequently, you may disturb it.

In principle, clutches, sometimes called binders, also offer compelling protection and can also serve travelers well: "The holster can be used as a medium, for example movies," says Lisa Hinze. In addition, some cases offer space for credit cards.

External cases offer even more protection. "They are suitable for extreme loads and demands," says Hinze. Because the smartphone is then in a waterproof cover and dustproof. However, users should test before buying, if all the buttons on the smartphone can still be well exploited.

Who wants to shoot with the underwater photos of the smartphone, is well advised with a waterproof phone case. "The holster should be of high quality, be treated transparently and the closures should close tightly," advises Lisa Hinze

Which holster best protects the smartphone? "For optimal protection against falls, outside covers or flap covers are recommended," says Degner. Those who appreciate optics are well advised to use display films and bumpers.

However, smartphone cases can not only protect: Enclosures with built-in rechargeable batteries are currently a trend, Degner knows. It looks like a good invention in the beginning. But he is skeptical: "These cases are much larger and overload the load plug when moving." This could damage the smartphone. Another disadvantage: "Cell phone cases with built-in battery are significantly more expensive." He therefore advises to buy a power bank. By Pauline Sickmann, dpa