SMARTPHONE CASE BUYER’S CHECKLIST

WHAT YOU NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON WHEN SHOPPING FOR A CASE FOR YOUR MOBILE PHONE.

MATERIAL

Plastic rules for the most part, with lots of silicon cases and a few leather following suit — there’s even a wood option. The silicon cases will be kindest to your phone’s surfaces, so check if the harder options have a flocked interior to minimise the chance of scratches.

NEW WALLET

More and more cases offer a few card slots for your debit and credit cards, and photo ID. Some also provide space to stuff in bank notes, so if you’re looking to ditch your wallet or purse, make this a consideration.

FOLD INTO A FOLIO

A few cases tested are folios, too, meaning a handy hinge lets them prop upright in the landscape position. Very handy if you commute and want to watch shows or stream YouTube hands free.

PRICE POINT

Our cases here range approximately from $30 to an eye-watering $130. The cheapest offers no impact protection, the most expensive has a built-in screen protector, is water-, shock- and drop-proof. You generally get what you pay for.

DESIGN

Do you mix and match your phone case like you do your jewellery, or are you happy to have a case that will simply have to suit all seasons? Do you want to show off your phone’s original shape in a thin skin? Black is the default colour, then ‘entirely opaque’ a close second for total visibility.

GUARANTEE

The Pelican brand of cases offer a lifetime guarantee against the case failing, whereas others vary and some are simply covered by Australian Consumer Law.