What’s the Best Way to Protect a Phone?
There’s no one answer to this, as others have so readily demonstrated. The only way to choose the “best” protection is to decide what damage you’re willing to live with. Are scratches on the rear acceptable? Maybe all you need is a bumper and screen protector. If you want everything pristine, then maybe you need to go all the way up to the thick Otterboxes. Part of the answer to this question evokes another question. What type of user are you? Are you clumsy? Are you the type of person that never drops anything? Are you planning on selling the device in 9 months to get the next latest, greatest thing? Do you plan on keeping the device until it either refuses to charge or the next Presidential election?
The type of user you are should dictate the type of protection you get. I take my phone everywhere with me and it’s critical to my job. It’s also important to me that it looks great in 7-9 months when I will sell it off to get another new device. That’s why I have used an Otterbox Defender and other heavier cases to protect my device. I have a Galaxy Note right now (I’m about to upgrade to a HTC One X+). I’m using a very durable impact resistant rubberized case (similar to a Defender) I found on Amazon. I’m also using a screen protector. This combo has already paid for itself several times and saved my phone. Get what’s best for you and your lifestyle.
Yes, it’s got some small dents on the chrome-like border but so what? It’s a phone. It’s meant to be used. Some people just cannot enjoy the beauty of their phone when it’s in some bulky case. So what if there’s going to be a scratch or two at the back…
Bumper, case, skin, pouch, bare, etc, also, if you’ve had bad experiences with any particular option, please share that too.
I just use the flip case that came with my Galaxy Note. It doesn’t make it look bulkier but it’s doing a fine job protecting the display.
To be fair, the Otterbox Commuter nails #1 (protection) and #2 (usability). Number 3 (aesthetics) is debatable. The above combo is my preferred choice because I don’t like babying naked phones; and it keeps my phones looking new for the duration of my ownership. Different strokes for different folks.