The leather one

Renowned for being luxurious, leather phone cases can give your phone that expensive, high-end look and can often be matched with other accessories, such as a handbag, wallet, iPad/laptop case and the like, to give a real understated sophistication.

Whilst quality leather cases sometimes have a premium attached, you can achieve the same look, and protection, with a faux leather case, at more affordable prices.

Our magnetic flip soft leather wallet case for iPhone is a popular design that doubles as both a phone case and a cardholder; stylish and practical!  This style offers additional protection for the screen; the front part is opened like a book to access the phone and card section.

We’ve all done it, carrying too many things, precariously poking our phones into a shallow pocket, and yes, occasionally the inevitable has happened and we’ve dropped our devices!  Leather is well known for being an effective shock absorber, meaning it should survive most minor drops without too much trouble.  Offering superior protection than most materials, leather can also withstand impact with sharp/pointy objects, unlike silicone for example.

Most leather/faux leather cases are very protective due to the inner hard case and the outer leather coating. The only disadvantage is that they can tend to be slightly bulky in the pocket, but leather is regarded as one of the most durable materials available to protect your device, although it may age, and soften, it will retain its robustness and won’t perish like silicone can, or chip/crack like hard cases.  It is a superior material that can stand up to a lot of wear and tear, leather will undoubtedly stand the test of time.

It’s getting hot in here!  Similar to silicone, leather also has great thermal advantages meaning that when your phone heats up due to excessive use, apps running or whilst in hotter climates, it can dispel heat from the device and help prevent the phone from overheating.  This is great for those who wish to use their device for prolonged periods of time, maybe watching a film on a long journey or those pesky kids who could make game play or watching YouTube an Olympic sport!

So, there you go, both the silicone and leather offer similar protection from everyday use, knocks, and minor impacts, but leather probably just pips silicone to the post.  Although real leather is likely to have a more expensive price tag, you definitely get what you pay for, leather is sophisticated, durable and highly protective.

In Summary

• Leather cases give phones a luxurious, high-end look that can be matched with other accessories.
• Faux leather cases can offer the same look and protection at a more affordable price.
• Leather is a good shock absorber and can withstand impact with sharp/pointy objects, making it more protective than some other materials like silicone.
• Leather cases can be slightly bulky in the pocket, but they are durable and won't perish or chip/crack like silicone or hard cases.
• Leather has thermal advantages, helping to prevent phones from overheating in high temperatures or during prolonged use.
• Real leather may have a more expensive price tag, but it is sophisticated, durable, and highly protective.

The hard one

Typically made from ABS/PC plastic (a thermoplastic alloy of (PC) polycarbonate and (ABS) acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) hard cases are strong.  They can also be made from other non-flexible materials like aluminium and wood.  Hard phone cases are usually a rigid shell-like surround which tends to be designed to fit specific phone models; the case fits onto the device, covering the back and sides of the phone, including the corners.

Hard cases are cheap and cheerful, come in many finishes, glossy, matte, patterns, and transparent and can be personalised with a Company logo for example.  However, because of the inflexible nature of the plastic they can tend to break when dropped or manipulated on and off too much (weak points are formed).  And for this reason, do not last as long as other materials available.

Unlike leather and silicone, hard cases don’t tend to have good shock absorption, if dropped, the hard plastic does provide good protection for the device, but it can't absorb the impact, meaning the case can chip, shatter or break, this does, unfortunately, mean they need to be replaced more often (although this is counterbalanced by their cheap price tag).

When it comes to temperature, hard cases are good at protecting your phone against heat and cold from outside sources, e.g., the sun, but at the same time, the heat from the device itself cannot escape, which means it can overheat more so than leather or silicone.

Plastic hard cases are great for adding a bit of personality to your phone, the smooth surface means it’s easy to attach accessories, such as PopSockets, stickers and rhinestones, making them perfect for kids.

Hard cases can be very easy to clean due to their typical smooth surface, although glossy/smooth surfaces will also scratch very easily; a high shine finish will eventually have more of a matte appearance.  Dirt will gather in any ridges and too much exposure to sunlight can lead to the polycarbonate plastic discolouring slightly over time.

Hard cases made from aluminium would be easier to recycle than almost any other material, but as most hard phone cases are plastic, they are unfortunately more difficult to recycle.  Plastic mainly ends up in landfill meaning they are not our environment’s friend.

In summary, if you want a phone case which will look nice, offer mid-range protection, and is easy on the wallet, a hard case is the one for you.

In Summary

• Hard phone cases are typically made of plastic, such as ABS/PC or other non-flexible materials like aluminum and wood.
• They are usually designed to fit specific phone models and cover the back and sides of the phone, including the corners.
• Hard cases come in many finishes, including glossy, matte, patterns, and transparent, and can be personalized with a company logo.
• They are cheap but do not last as long as other materials, and they tend to break when dropped or manipulated too much.
• Hard cases do not have good shock absorption and can chip, shatter, or break if dropped.
• They are good at protecting phones against heat and cold from outside sources, but the heat from the device itself cannot escape, which can cause it to overheat.
• Hard cases are easy to clean but will scratch easily, and dirt will gather in any ridges.
• Plastic hard cases are difficult to recycle and mainly end up in landfills.

The tough one

Tough/Armour phone cases are made to be particularly durable; made with both hard and soft plastic/silicone.  They have two or three layers of protection depending on the manufacturer – think the Terminator!

The multi-layer design typically includes softer plastic inside, offering great shock absorption, a hard plastic layer/shell, followed by an outer membrane of soft plastic/silicone, meaning they are extremely durable protecting both the phone and the case itself.  Like with most phone cases, with the exception of the leather flip front design, they provide minimal front screen protection, although sometimes a bulbous rubber surround can provide a buffer to the screen itself, if dropped, depending on how the phone falls.

A lot of tough cases are drop-tested and shock-absorbent.

Due to the layering and materials used in tough cases, they are naturally much bulkier and heavier than standard phone cases.  Although the thickness provides a better grip in the hand, they can be uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time, and they are definitely cumbersome and heavy to have in your pocket or bag.

Tough phone cases are designed to last; they are perfect for military, construction workers, and people working outdoors, and they are great for active sports, such as mountain biking, so long as you can tolerate their size.

These beasts can be expensive due to the layers of materials used and the time spent reinforcing and testing them, but the tough case is superior as far as device protection is concerned.

In Summary

• Tough/Armour phone cases are extremely durable and made with both hard and soft plastic/silicone.
• They typically have two or three layers of protection and offer great shock absorption.
• They provide minimal front screen protection, although sometimes a bulbous rubber surround can provide a buffer to the screen itself if dropped.
• Tough cases are drop-tested and shock-absorbent, making them perfect for military, construction workers, and people working outdoors, as well as active sports such as mountain biking.
• They are much bulkier and heavier than standard phone cases, making them uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time and cumbersome to carry in a pocket or bag.
• Tough cases can be expensive due to the layers of materials used and the time spent reinforcing and testing them, but they are superior as far as device protection is concerned.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when it comes to choosing the right phone case material, consider the following:

• Protection: Silicone cases are a popular choice due to their durability, shock absorption, and thermal stability, while leather cases offer superior protection.
• Screen protection: Regardless of the material you choose, it's important to also consider using a screen protector to keep your device safe from scratches and chips.
• Style: Whether you prefer a luxurious look with leather or a more practical and flexible option with silicone, there are plenty of style options to choose from.
• Convenience: Additional features like wrist straps, cross-body straps, and ring holders can provide added accessibility to your device.
• Personal preferences and daily needs: Ultimately, the best phone case material for you will depend on your personal preferences and daily needs, whether you prioritize protection, style, or convenience.