Rubberized Hard Phone Cases Vs. Silicone Phone Cases

When choosing a cellular phone case, there are many factors to take into account. The two most important factors to analyze are the features of the phone and the way the owner is using the phone. Rubberized hard cases and silicone cases are two low-impact choices for cellular phone protection. Each is appropriate in certain instances.

Cost

Before determining which kind of case is best, cost should be considered. Hard rubber cases and silicone cases are both usually at the low end of the cost spectrum, but some name brands can be more expensive. For example, if you shop at a chain store, the cost begins at the low end with generic store brands and can go up to high-end name brands. Determine how much can be spent on the case before beginning the process of choosing.

How Much Protection Do You Need?

The way you use your phone determines the degree of protection you need. Hard rubberized cases provide slightly more protection than silicone cases because they hold their shape. Silicone cases are very flexible, while rubberized hard cases do not bend. A silicone case should be used to prevent scratching on the plastic shell of the phone. It does not usually offer much shock absorption if the phone is dropped. A hard rubberized case, however, will provide the protection the user needs if the phone is dropped frequently.

What Features Need Protection?

Different phones have different features, some of which are more delicate than others and require a higher level of protection. For example, the iPhone 4 has an outside casing made completely of glass. If dropped, the phone tends to shatter. When choosing between a hard rubberized case or soft silicone case for this phone, the hard rubber case would be the preferred accessory. Some phones, like the Samsung Epic, have slide-out keyboards. These phones need what's known as a slider case, which does not come in the soft variety. If your phone has delicate, breakable parts, the higher-level protection of the hard rubberized case would do a better job of protecting those parts.

Prioritize Your Considerations

When making a final choice, consider all of the factors that are important and decide which matter the most. If texture matters, a hard rubber case would have a smoother finish, whereas a silicone case has a stickier finish. If you're someone who sticks his phone is his pocket quite often, a hard rubber case slides in easily, while silicone tends to stick to fabric. If color is important to you, silicone cases tend to come in softer, muted colors, whereas hard rubber cases come in bolder and more shiny finishes.