How to protect your smartphone without buying a plastic case

Today, it’s possible to spend as much as £1,500 buying a mainstream smartphone.

Admittedly, that amount of money will purchase a high-end device like the iPhone 12 Pro Max, with its 6.7-inch screen, ultra-wide-angle camera lens and LiDAR scanning.

The latest iPhone is also clad in surgical-grade stainless steel, with what Apple claim is the toughest smartphone glass in existence.

However, it still won’t take kindly to being dropped onto a hard surface.

As a result, some smartphone owners invest in protective cases, which will cushion impacts and minimise day-to-day wear and tear.

Sadly, these cases are rarely as tactile or attractive as the handsets they wrap around.

Indeed, they often obscure the design, materials and even logos of the smartphone you’ve just invested so heavily in.

Instead of touching cool aluminium and tactile side buttons, your handset interactions are conducted through a rubberised coating.

People won’t see the phone when you use it in public – just the case it’s wrapped in.

These cheap plastic and rubber cases are the easiest way to protect your smartphone, but there are other ways to preserve the condition of your handset – and its eventual resale value.

Transportation

A high proportion of handset damage occurs when phones are being jostled around in handbags next to keys, or dropped into pockets with loose coins.

An easy way to protect your smartphone is to transport it in isolation. Give it a dedicated pocket in your coat, or set aside a compartment in your bag or briefcase for it.

If you have to transport it in the company of other items, ensure the screen is face down against a soft surface. Never put it in a back pocket in case you forget it’s there and sit on it.

Daily use

High-grip cases are designed to protect your smartphone against drops, but careful usage can minimise the risk of an impact with a tiled floor or ceramic surface.

Never use the phone while walking or making a cup of tea; put it down gently rather than banging it onto hard surfaces; don’t give pets an opportunity to play with it or damage it.

Avoid resting it on the edge of a worktop or table to minimise the risk of it being knocked onto the floor, and don’t expose it to extreme temperatures like direct sunshine.

Sporting activities

Sports provide one of increasingly few opportunities to be outside these days, but they can pose specific risks to smartphones.

If you’re using a phone while engaging in activities like running or cycling, invest in a high-quality and snug-fitting protective pouch which will cocoon the handset.

Don’t try to use it while doing something else, since this is when it’s likely to be dropped. Grip it firmly in wet conditions to prevent it slipping from your grasp, or use a phone mount.

Screen damage

Even if you’re not willing to swathe your designer phone in a cheap protective case, it’s worth applying a screen protector to cover this uniquely fragile and well-used component.

These clear protectors are scratch and impact-resistant, shrugging off damage that might otherwise cause the screen to crack or become chipped.

Look for slimline tempered glass screen covers specific to your handset model, which won’t detract from its aesthetics. The screen will work as normal, and it’ll last a great deal longer.