# 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:** 6\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2014, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/41 "2014-04-20T01:27:14Z")
The floors where I work and live being mostly of very rigid, unyielding materials on a concrete substrate, I do find it reassuring to have a sacrificial layer around this expensive device. A series of inexpensive shells/sleeves, both rigid and rubber, plus also-cheap screen film --all of them brought at the mall cart from members of the curiously coiffed/inked/pierced set-- have kept mine in rather good condition for 4 years. If I have to get on a small boat or go into the wetlands I’ll reach for the Ziploc bag. ---
**Author:** ![Inna\_Minnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Inna\_Minnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inna_Minnit)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/42 "2014-04-21T08:34:12Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > 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. Pro-tip: eBay or Amazon for phone accessories. Buy them at a brick and mortar and you will pay a LOT more for them. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/43 "2014-04-21T18:43:11Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I was wondering if that would work, or if the bag would block the phone’s antennae. I have rain gear & so does my phone. My phone’s is made by Ziploc, Glad, or supermarket brand. 😉 Phone works fine in a sandwich bag & stays dry. The only downside is that it’s a little hard to slide the touchscreen to answer thru the bag. Also, next time you at an event, pick up one of the fold-flat marketing [koozies](http://www.amazon.com/Pirate-Theme-Insulator-Koozies-Pack/dp/B00GHPZJSU/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1398105217&sr=1-5&keywords=koozie) that they’re giving out & slip your phone in there. No you can’t see the screen but the foam is added protection in case you drop it on the screen & doesn’t take up much space or weight. ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/44 "2014-04-21T19:45:39Z")
I’m ultra-clumsy at times. I may have an antique (an Iphone 3GS) but it’s MY antique phone. 😃 The Divemaster, knowing I’m a klutz, told me to get a silicon rubber case. Boy, was he right. So far, I’ve dropped the damn thing on concrete, a hardwood floor and on tile flooring. Just bounces. No damages at all. When the day comes and I’m forced to replace my antique, hopefully I’ll be able to get another silicone casing! ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/45 "2014-04-21T20:11:28Z")
I have the [Griffin Technology Survivor](http://griffintechnology.com/survivor/original) case – which is almost pitbull-proof. It’s dog-resistant, I can say that much. My dog chomped right through an Otterbox, so I had to step up my game. This has also protected my screen from shattering when I’ve dropped it and it also protects the phone when I’m out walking the dog in the rain – keeps it all toasty and dry. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2014, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-a-shell-for-a-smartphone-and-how-effective-is-it/686352/46 "2014-04-22T10:45:00Z")
I ALWAYS use a case with my phone, even though (because?) I’m very careful with it - one drop in 18 months. Problem with Otterbox’s cases is they have a hole for the Apple logo - are they really serious about protection? I’m glad no one’s brought up the “screen protector? But they scratch more easily than the screen!” argument, though. [Previous 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)