Hard vs. Soft Phone Cases: Which is Better for You?

13 May.,2024

 

Hard vs. Soft Phone Cases: Which is Better for You?

Contact us to discuss your requirements of casing protectors. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

There are only a handful of smartphone models to choose from, but there are hundreds of millions of phone cases out there, each with different colors, patterns, and materials. This can make it difficult to decide which phone case is right for you. Aesthetics aside, phone cases are generally broken down into two categories: hard and soft. 

Each type has its own set of features & drawbacks, which makes the decision even more difficult. We’ll break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each to help you decide whether a hard or soft phone case is right for you. 

Hard Phone Cases

From business professionals to outdoor enthusiasts, hard phone cases pack plenty of protection into a sleek, minimal frame. But they might not be for everyone; here’s are the pros & cons of hard phone cases:  

Pros

  1. Enhanced Protection

    – Hard cases protect the phone from direct impacts, scratches, and daily wear & tear.



  2. Sleek, Attractive Design

    – Whether you’re looking for a solid-colored, matte finish or an elegant, wooden design, your case will be the talk of the dinner table.



  3. Long-Term Durability

    – Unlike soft cases, hard cases resist stretching or deforming over time, maintaining their shape and fit for the life of your phone.

Cons

  1. Comfort & Grip

    – Hard cases can be slippery and uncomfortable to hold for extended periods, increasing the chances of accidental drops. Carved cases come with a grippy outer shell for added grip.

  2. Shock Absorption

    – Though they protect against small drops & impacts, hard materials are less effective at absorbing shock than soft materials. We solve this problem at Carved with a soft, protective perimeter around the

    wooden phone case

    .



  3. Cosmetic Damage

    – Hard cases are more prone to visible scratches and scuff marks, which can tarnish their appeal over time. 

Soft Phone Cases

With millions of colors & designs to choose from, soft phone cases pack sufficient drop protection in a fun, creative look. Wondering if a soft phone case might be for you? Here’s what everyone else says about them:  

Pros

  1. Built-In Shock Absorption

    – Soft cases are more effective at absorbing shock because of their flexibility. Materials like silicone provide sufficient cushioning for phones that are dropped from a few feet above the ground. 

  2. Comfort & Grip

    – Silicone & other soft phone cases are easier to grip, reducing the chances of accidental drops.

  3. Unlimited Designs

    – Millions of soft cases are designed & created each day, with different combinations of styles, colors, and patterns. Compared to hard cases, there are far more styles available.

Cons

  1. Durability

    – Soft phone cases are prone to wear and tear over time, gradually losing their shape or stretching with use.

  2. Scratch Resistance

    – Despite their shock absorption, soft cases are less effective against minor incidents like direct scratches or abrasions. 

  3. Cleanliness

    – Light and clear-colored soft cases often discolor after a few weeks of use, meaning you’ll have to clean or replace them more regularly to maintain their original look. 

Hard vs. Soft Phone Cases: How Do They Stack Up Against Each Other?

We’ve covered the pros & cons of each type of case, but how do they measure when compared to each other? Let’s take a look. 

Protection

Hard cases are more rigid and provide better protection against direct impacts, small drops, and scratches. But soft cases, like those made of rubber, are more effective at absorbing shocks from higher drops. In the same light, cases made from soft materials can wear down & tear more easily than hard materials, reducing their protection against direct impacts & scratches. Many phone cases combine both hard & soft materials to blend the best of both worlds: scratch & drop defense. 

Durability

Hard cases, like those made of wood, metal, or rigid plastic, are generally more durable than soft cases. As a result, they are prone to cosmetic damage like scratches & chipped edges, though wood tends to hold up better than plastic. Soft cases made of rubber or silicone tend to rip & stretch out over time, drastically reducing their lifeline & protection abilities. 

For an in-depth breakdown of the most popular phone case materials, see our Buyer’s Guide to the Best Phone Case Materials. 

Comfort & Usability

Hard cases are designed to add as little bulk as possible and maintain the original shape of your smartphone model. Some people say that hard cases tend to be more slippery than soft ones, though most of them have built in ridges or added grip to negate this issue. Straight out of the box, soft cases tend to be easier to grip, meaning you’re theoretically less likely to drop the device. However, overly flexible & grippy soft cases might make it harder to insert the phone into pant pockets or small purses. 

Not sure which size case your phone needs? Check out our size chart for the latest Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel models. 

Design & Aesthetics

The design of your phone case may be the most important decision-making factor, or you may not care at all. If you just want a simple, protective case that’s perfect for your everyday carry, you should purchase a hard case. Generally, they have a more formal & upscale appearance compared to soft cases, especially ones with solid, matte-colored designs. On the other hand, if the look of your phone case is the most important thing to you, you should opt for a soft phone case. They tend to be available in a wider range of styles, colors, and patterns. You can even swap them out each day, from playful & quirky to simple & vibrant, then back again.

Price

Phone cases vary in price, regardless of whether they’re made from hard or soft materials. Depending on the brand, design, and construction quality, they can range anywhere from $10 to $300. But generally, the materials & processes required to produce hard cases are more expensive, resulting in a higher retail price. 

If you want your smartphone to last until your next upgrade or the newest model is released, you need a protective phone case. It will help protect your device from cracks, scratches, drops, and even water & dust. Hard phone cases offer superior protection & durability, and are finished with a sleek, professional exterior. Soft cases, on the other hand, offer shock absorption, comfort, and a myriad of design options, but their durability leaves much to be desired. Because there are obvious drawbacks of both, your best bet is to select a case made of both hard & soft materials. The hard outer shell will protect you from regular damage and the rubber cushioning will support your phone when dropped. Ultimately, your decision to choose a hard case or a soft case will boil down to your lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and the level of protection you need for your phone. 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website components of cnc lathe machine.

Here's how to pick a mobile case

Share This Post

We shell out thousands of rupees on smartphones but when it comes to their accessories, especially cases, we choose the cheapest ones. Some of us don’t even consider buying one because cases make our phones bulky. We can’t deny the fact that phones without cases are more prone to cracks, bumps, dents, even shattered screens.

A variety of mobile cases with impressive prints and designs are available at low prices. They protect your phones from scratches and smudges. The good ones even protect your phones from dents, bumps, drops and other physical damage. If you recently bought a smartphone, here is the complete guide on how to buy a mobile case.

Design

It is important that you find a strong case that protects your device, but is also beautifully designed.

Back cases

Standard or slim cases protect the back and sides of the phones, leaving the screen fully accessible. These are simple, go-to type cases for people of all ages. You’ll find these mobile cases in plain, printed, transparent and beautiful solid colour variants.

Tough and rugged cases

Another solid option includes tough and rugged cases, that redefine style and protect your smartphones from scratches, bumps and drops. Some cases are even specialized, offering protection against water and dust. Tough cases are built of several layers of plastics, which make them strong and durable. If you are looking for a case that can help your phone survive all kinds of physical damage, you should go for tough and rugged cases. 

Folio or flip cases

Folio (also called flip cases) open like a book, covering every side and corner of your smartphone. Folio or flip cases add weight to the phone to offer complete edge-to-edge protection. Sometimes, the flip covers come with pockets for holding some cash or cards, so they double as a wallet.

Bumper cases

These cases are lightweight and minimal in design. They cover only the sides of the phone, leaving the back and front of the phone exposed. Bumper cases are made of shock-absorbing materials, protecting phone against bumps. They are good alternatives to traditional cases, because you can show off the design and colours of your smartphones.  

Pouch cases

Pouches are simple and help keeping smartphones safe from scratches and smudges. They aren’t specific to smartphones and can also be used to store debits cards or cash. Pouches do not attach to mobile phones, so you need to remove your phone every time you need to use it. Mobile pouches are made of soft fabric, rubber and leather. Though pouches offer complete protection, there still remains the risk of phones slipping off them. Some pouches come with a button to stop this from happening.

Battery cases

These cases are designed to charge phones in emergencies. They have a battery inside that do this. However, battery cases are usually bulky and heavy. Besides the design, make sure you also check power capacity of these cases.

Phone skins

If most of these mobile cases fail to impress you, phone skins are way to go. These skins let you personalize your phones and offer protection from scratches and smudges. As far the style goes, there are tons of them to choose from – movie characters, camouflage, matte, solid colours, textures and many more.

Material

Silicon and Rubber

Mobile cases made of silicon and rubber material, so they are soft, flexible and affordable too. These cases provide protection from small drops. Those with textured cases offer good grip, preventing phones from slipping off our hands.  

Leather

Most of folio and flip cases are made of leather. Leather cases age well than plastic and most importantly the material gets better on using it for a long period. These cases also offer a good grip. 

Poly Carbonate and TPU

Poly carbonate mobile cases are hard and offer great protection from scratches, whereas TPU cases are softer and smoother. A mix of these two materials offer better protection than regular plastic cases. These materials are usually used for designing printed cases, where the back of cases are made of hard TPU, whereas the sides are of smooth poly carbonate. 

Aluminium

Metal cases are very rarely used for smartphones. You still find some of the bumper cases made of aluminium, which offer excellent scratch resistance and strength.

Other features

Mobile cases aren’t just meant for customizing and protecting phones. There are some added features that personalize your experience, allowing you to do new things with your phone.

Thickness

Most standard cases are slim and lightweight, whereas tough and flip design cases are bulky. Standard cases are slim and are good at protecting your phones from scratches and minor dents. Tough and flip cases are slightly thick, but they enclose every corners, sides, back and also the screen of a smartphone. So, these cases are great at preventing phones from any kind of physical damages.

Cut-outs

This might not sound important, but cases with fine cut-outs are equally important as their design. If you notice carefully, some cases have buttons built into them so you get the same tactile feel as the phone, while the cheaper ones use rubber or plastic material over the buttons.

Storage pockets

Most flip cases include pockets allowing you to keep cards, cash or tickets. You’ll also find lots of standard cases with exterior pockets, if you aren’t interested in buying flip cases.

Mount or stand

There are cases with dedicated mounts and stands, letting you to set down your phone on a bed or table or just adjust smartphones to comfortable angles while watching movies and TV shows.

Buying mobile cases just by their design and print isn’t enough. They should also double as a shield for your phone while suiting your profession, age and style.

Mobile phone cases

Suitable for

Armour / Tough Cases

These cases are strong and offer protection on physical damages. They are suitable for students, travellers, field-workers, sportsmen, etc.

Printed / Fusion Cases

These new generation of cases are gaining attention. They are well suited for younger crowds like college students.

Flip Cases

Flip cases offer better protection to your phones. They are ideal for women and working professionals.

Hard back Cases

These are the regular cases and are very popular among people of all ages and genders.

Soft transparent TPU Cases

Soft transparent cases are popular among all age groups and genders. These cases are also for people who want to flaunt shades and patterns of their smartphones.

Leather Cases

These are amongst the simple cases. They are ideal for office people, especially for those who like to keep things simple.

Battery Cases

These are utility cases and are well-suited for frequent travellers and working professionals. Some cases even help expand the storage of the smartphones.

Spending on a phone case is always a better idea than spending on repairing a damaged phone. You’ll find a cases across different designs and materials at Reliance Digital. Now, you can even buy one online. Cases are just one of the many accessories for your smartphone. For more accessories such as screen guards, tempered glasses, earphones, battery packs and others, head over to Reliancedigital.in or walk over to your closest Reliance Digital store.

The company is the world’s best QK1325 CNC pipe threading machine supplier supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.