# Advice sought on phone case **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 28, 2020, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554 "2020-07-28T00:24:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/1 "2020-07-28T00:24:38Z")
I just got a Samsung A71 and I know I’m going to drop it at some point. What case be most likely to prevent damage? Any brands/models known for protecting well? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/2 "2020-07-28T00:40:18Z")
I’ve used [OtterBox](https://www.otterbox.com/) cases on several phones. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/3 "2020-07-28T00:46:57Z")
Seconding Otterbox. That’s the gold standard of phone cases, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/4 "2020-07-28T00:59:42Z")
I’ve used LifeProof for my last several phones. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/5 "2020-07-28T02:57:52Z")
Otter box. I use Defender model of theirs. Have on the last several iPhones of mine. Their Commuter model is also good if you wish a slightly slimmer design-several of my children have had good luck with that model. I need the Defender cause I am really hard on phones! Amazon is the cheapest source for Otterbox I’ve found-much less than other stores/sites. Consider a tempered glass screen cover too. Best $20 I ever spent on phone screen protection-even against drops. The Otterboxes come with a plastic screen cover-I always push that out-it is murky and interferes with capacitive touch I think. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/6 "2020-07-28T03:00:30Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Consider a tempered glass screen cover too. Best $20 I ever spent on phone screen protection-even against drops. The Otterboxes come with a plastic screen cover-I always push that out-it is murky and interferes with capacitive touch I think. This [https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B087JJJMJT/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o00\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B087JJJMJT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) is in the mail and should arrive in 2 days. Are Defender and Commuter the only two options? ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/7 "2020-07-28T03:05:50Z")
No, they have others. Depends on the level of protection and the silhouette that works for you (and your phone handling adroitness) My phones live a hard life 😏 Lifeproof is the next brand that my IT specialist son recommends BTW. Then Zagg and UAG. The Amazon screen protector is exactly what I meant. 😉 **Boo** ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/8 "2020-07-28T03:17:02Z")
I see that the Defender isn’t compatible with third-party screen protectors. Does it have its own? I can’t seem to find a Defender for the A71. Opinions on this one? [https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B085T8Q34N/?coliid=I1QMGHCTGL5VQY&colid=2VAW6GHURYDY0&psc=1&ref\_=lv\_ov\_lig\_dp\_it](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B085T8Q34N/?coliid=I1QMGHCTGL5VQY&colid=2VAW6GHURYDY0&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it) ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/9 "2020-07-28T03:27:58Z")
With my Defender it came with a built in thin plastic screen protector. That’s the one I just pushed/pulled out manually and went with a tempered glass one, then put the Defender on top. As I remember, the plastic screen cover is just lightly glued in. It may well be that the Commuter doesn’t come to fit your phone, The Commuter model might. Or a Lifeproof, Zagg or UAG, they do more Android versions. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/10 "2020-07-28T03:32:33Z")
From my tip-toeing around for those brands on Amazon, it seems that none can be shipped to your area. Don’t know what to suggest there. Some market share control thing? ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/11 "2020-07-28T03:35:34Z")
I’m using the Canadian Amazon. The one I linked to can be shipped to my area but perhaps not to yours. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/12 "2020-07-28T03:39:37Z")
See, you knew more than I did 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2020, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/13 "2020-07-28T21:26:28Z")
Since I couldn’t get the Defender for the A71, I hesitated between these two [https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07ZWJ9XXF/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o00\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1](https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07ZWJ9XXF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)[https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B085T8Q34N/?coliid=I1QMGHCTGL5VQY&colid=2VAW6GHURYDY0&psc=1&ref\_=lv\_ov\_lig\_dp\_it](https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B085T8Q34N/?coliid=I1QMGHCTGL5VQY&colid=2VAW6GHURYDY0&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it) One is rated 4.7 and the other 4.8. They’re both Amazon’s Choice. In the end, I ended up going with the one that reminded more of Batman, the Spigen Liquid Air. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2020, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/14 "2020-07-29T14:14:39Z")
I have an iPhone and for the last few years I’ve been using the wallet type case. I love it! I don’t even have to use a screen protector because the screen is always covered when not it use. (The top is padded.) I like being able to put a few dollars, my ID and my debit card in there and not have to always have my purse (or for a guy, a wallet) with me. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/15 "2020-07-29T20:33:42Z")
I got two sets of protective screen/camera protectors and wondered why. After having messed up twice, I can see why they’d include extra sets. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2020, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/16 "2020-07-29T20:36:00Z")
A couple of phones ago, I tried to put a screen protector on the glass but didn’t do a good job. So I went to one of those phone accessory kiosks in a mall, and the guy there did a much better job of attaching the screen protector than I did. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/17 "2020-07-29T20:39:14Z")
Spigen generally makes the best cases, IMO. Second to the OEM cases (I have a Google fabric case on my Pixel 4XL right now), but a good deal cheaper. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2020, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-sought-on-phone-case/916554/18 "2020-07-29T20:52:27Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > A couple of phones ago, I tried to put a screen protector on the glass but didn’t do a good job. So I went to one of those phone accessory kiosks in a mall, and the guy there did a much better job of attaching the screen protector than I did. That’s a good idea. Attaching a screen protector is one of those things where once you have some experience, it’s easy. But when you don’t, it’s an exercise in frustration.