# What is the purpose of a "shell" for a smartphone, and how effective is it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 17, 2014, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352 "2014-04-17T17:06:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/1 "2014-04-17T17:06:31Z")
I’m about the buy the fanciest phone I’ve ever had\* and they offer to sell “shells” for fifteen bucks extra. Are these just for looks, or do they play an actual role in protecting the phone? Do they help in case of a fall? Do they cover the screen as well, or just the back? I only had one smartphone prior to this and never looked in to such accessories, but now I’m curious. \*Republic wireless, who has $5/mo plans if you’re interested. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/2 "2014-04-17T17:14:09Z")
I bought a 5 buck gel case for my Galaxy S3, and at least couple times I think it prevented some potential damage. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/3 "2014-04-17T17:28:21Z")
Some are just for looks, but the leather case for my iphone has saved it from several hard encounters over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/4 "2014-04-17T17:30:21Z")
My first smartphone had a metal case, and was fairly heavy (which I liked). I never bothered getting a case for it because I liked the color of the phone (red). The only downside was that over time the case got a little scratched up. When I bought my current phone, it turned out to be very lightweight and it would also slide around on any slanted surface (like my dashboard). So I bought a rubber case for it which adds weight and traction. I’ve also dropped this phone a couple of times with no damage. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/5 "2014-04-17T17:30:39Z")
Yeah, I’ve dropped my phone once or twice and without the case, I’d definitely have fucked up a corner at least. Plus, since it’s only ever lived in cases, those are what get scratched up and not the phone itself. When I take it out of the case, the phone looks like it did when I bought it. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/6 "2014-04-17T17:32:39Z")
If you’re one of those people who like to sell your phone on eBay after a few months so you can buy a newer one, it’s probably a good idea. Personally, I’ve never used one, and the occasional drop has never damaged my phone. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/7 "2014-04-17T17:42:47Z")
If I drop my phone without the case, the back may come off and the battery may fall out. If I drop it with a case, that doesn’t happen. The idea is to cushion the edges and corners, which may keep the screen from shattering on a corner drop, keeps the screen from directly touching surfaces when placed face down on desks and counters and such, and provides a little traction to keep it from falling from pockets or skittering across surfaces. The more heavy-duty protector cases may come with a screen protector, otherwise you’ll have to buy that separately. Personally, I haven’t used the screen protectors, but have used cases for all my smartphones. They all have looked brand new after at least 2 years of use and I got the best resale prices on them. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/8 "2014-04-17T17:56:08Z")
A shell case may help prevent you from pocket dialing 9-1-1 repeatedly. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/9 "2014-04-17T18:48:43Z")
My phone is black, so my lime green case makes in much easier to find in my purse and elsewhere. Also, protection. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/10 "2014-04-17T20:12:48Z")
I have a $2 hard case from Amazon on my phone. I’m not particularly clumsy but have dropped my phone on a hardwood floor several times. The case comes off and the two halves go flying across the floor, but the phone is fine. I suspect the case takes most of the shock and that $2 case saves the phone. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/11 "2014-04-17T20:27:37Z")
I paid extra for an “Otterbox.” Rubberized, for both cushioning and water resistance, with a protective membrane to protect the touchscreen. Perhaps an extravagance, but I will do it again next time. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/12 "2014-04-17T21:34:29Z")
I’m in the same boat as the OP, except I just got my first smartphone of any kind. I want to use it for tracking my bicycling over the summer, so I need some way to carry it while I’m riding. I think the best bet is a zippered pocket on the back of my jersey; less vibration than any other option, but it would be exposed to a lot of perspiration. > [@Trinopus](#): > > I paid extra for an “Otterbox.” Rubberized, for both cushioning and water resistance, with a protective membrane to protect the touchscreen. That sounds like the kind of thing I need. Any experience on just how well sealed that would be? Any other recommendations from the tech-savvy doper crowd? ---
**Author:** ![XanderCrews](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ee59a6/32.png) [@XanderCrews](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XanderCrews)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/13 "2014-04-17T21:43:24Z")
You don’t need an extravagent case, but you absolutely need a case. Something that goes around with a lip that will catch if you drop. It’s an investment. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/14 "2014-04-17T21:51:04Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > That sounds like the kind of thing I need. Any experience on just how well sealed that would be? Waterproof to the point that they can be submerged to 2 meters for 30 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/15 "2014-04-17T21:52:03Z")
I’ve been pretty good about not dropping my latest phone, but the case has saved me a couple of times. Plus it [looks like tweed](http://www.shophex.com/academy-core-case-for-iphone-5-grey), so I seem ultra-sophisticated and debonair while I’m playing Angry Birds. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/16 "2014-04-17T21:53:41Z")
I’m rough on phones and consider $5-20 for a case worthwhile insurance for helping prevent broken screens or even worse, a broken $500 phone. Err…device. I can’t remember where I got the last rubberized otterbox-like case for my Android phone but I found tons of great deals by googling \ + case. Screen protectors are cheap (under $10.00) and will keep the glass scratch-free. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/17 "2014-04-17T22:16:53Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Waterproof to the point that they can be submerged to 2 meters for 30 minutes. How about in a dripping-with-sweat pocket for 2 hours? ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_York](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_York](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_York)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/18 "2014-04-17T22:38:57Z")
I have one of these, it’s saved my phone severall times [http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Flip-Genuine-Leather-Hard-Cover-Case-For-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-i9300-Mini-S2-Ace-2-/351027150282?pt=AU\_MobilePhoneAccessories&var&hash=item51bad93dca&\_uhb=1](http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Flip-Genuine-Leather-Hard-Cover-Case-For-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-i9300-Mini-S2-Ace-2-/351027150282?pt=AU_MobilePhoneAccessories&var&hash=item51bad93dca&_uhb=1) ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/19 "2014-04-18T00:06:06Z")
[QUOTE=Robot Arm] How about in a dripping-with-sweat pocket for 2 hours? [/QUOTE] Probably OK, but have you considered a belt clip? Not all Otters are equal, so keep that in mind when shopping. I’ve got their Commuter, which has an inner rubber layer and an outer hard shell, as well as a screen protector. Good at protecting against bumps and drops, but definitely not immersible. Much better than the only slightly cheaper Belkin case I had previously, which warped and came off on a hot day. ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/20 "2014-04-18T01:13:26Z")
Work purchased iPhones for all the employees, and with them Otterbox Defender cases. The few times I have pulled my phone out to clean the case & phone up the phone has looked brand new, just out of package. And that’s over 2 years now. It sure makes the phone bulkier, and not as pretty, but it’s held up to significant abuse, drops, wetness (not waterproof / immersible), etc. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352.md?page=2)