As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy something through a link on this page, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what I recommend and it does not change your price.
How to pick
Buy the case and the protector at the same time as the phone, not after the accident, which is when most people get round to it. Two things matter on a case: a lip that stands proud of the screen so a face down drop lands on plastic rather than glass, and enough grip that it is not trying to escape your hand. On protectors, tempered glass rather than plastic film. Film scratches, feels tacky, and peels at the corners. If holding a large slab of glass is uncomfortable, a grip on the back does more for you than a thicker case.
What I recommend
The two to buy on day one
Buy these at the same time as the phone, not after the accident. Two things matter on a case: a lip that stands proud of the screen so a face down drop lands on plastic rather than glass, and enough grip that it is not trying to escape your hand.
Case and screen protector
Tempered glass rather than plastic film, and a case with a raised lip. Film scratches, feels tacky and peels at the corners. This is the cheapest insurance in this whole site.
- Turns most drops into a shrug
- Costs a fraction of a screen repair
- Raised lip is the feature that actually matters
- Adds bulk
- Cheap protectors interfere with fingerprint readers
- Thick cases can block wireless charging
Phone grip or ring stand
A grip on the back means you are not pinching a large slab of glass, which matters if your hands are not what they were. Most double as a stand. Prevents the drop rather than surviving it.
- Prevents drops rather than surviving them
- Doubles as a viewing stand
- Cheap
- Stops the phone lying flat
- Adhesive versions can pull off a case
- Blocks wireless charging on most designs
- Helps with
- Holding a large slab of glass
- Doubles as
- A little stand
- Types
- Ring, collapsible grip, or strap
- Cost
- A few dollars
If the phone leads a hard life
Worth it if it goes on site, on a boat, or lives with a toddler.
Rugged phone case
Thick, ugly, and it works. Reinforced corners and a raised bezel. If you drop phones regularly or work somewhere dusty, this is the honest answer rather than a slim case and hope.
- Survives drops that break normal cases
- Often includes a screen cover
- Some are water resistant
- Bulky and heavy
- Unattractive, which puts people off
- Can make the phone hard to pocket
Related reading
Cracked it already?
Screen repair is usually worth it on a newer phone and rarely worth it on an old one. Happy to tell you which yours is.