Does the iPhone 5c need a case?

[Specop 007]

Just picked up 2 iphones for my kids, the sales associate made it sound like these were pretty fragile and needed a case for protection. Not sure if she was going for a sale or not, so figured I'd check here. Should I be investing in a nice case for these, or are they durable enough to survive a butterfinger onto the ground.

Obviously, if a phone lands just right you are almost assured of a cracked screen, that I get. I just want to make sure that the screen is safe assuming it doesnt land screen down on a rock.

 

[s44]

Get TPU cases. Just not at whatever Apple's jacked up prices are.

You basically always need some sort of corner cushioning for drops on there and a lip around the screen for face down landings.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Not sure how old the kids are... but for kids, yeah I'd probably get them some sort of case to protect the $550 phone in their butterfingers. I'm sure it's a durable phone, but pretty much any phone will break if it drops the right way.

PS. And a screen protector wouldn't be a bad idea either (though I hate using them myself). Often cases will include a free screen protector as well. That'll give it a little protection if it does land face down in the rocks.

 

[Demo24]

My gf has one with one of the rubber bumper cases on it and the associated screen protector. This seems to have worked well so far for the past couple of months. It's a rather slick phone after a bit of use (as in physically slippery because of the plastic used on the back), so I definitely would try to protect it. It will fall at some point, and because it's kinda heavy and rather solid there isn't much give, something will probably crack.

 

[openwheel]

No phone needs a case. The owners do.

 

[bearxor]

Get TPU cases. Just not at whatever Apple's jacked up prices are.

You basically always need some sort of corner cushioning for drops on there and a lip around the screen for face down landings.

QFT

 

[s44]

And a screen protector wouldn't be a bad idea either (though I hate using them myself).

Disagree. I've dropped my phone a lot and a TPU case has always done the job. An impact onto a sharp exposed corner is pretty rare... and the screen protectors ruin the touch feel.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Disagree. I've dropped my phone a lot and a TPU case has always done the job. An impact onto a sharp exposed corner is pretty rare... and the screen protectors ruin the touch feel.

Like I said, I hate using screen protectors. But the OP was concerned about a phone drop on it's face on a rock. TPU case won't protect from that at all.

Coincidentally, the only time I dropped my phone in the last few years was exactly that way. I was out for a walk. Was fiddling with my headphones or something and the phone slipped and fell onto the gravel ground face first. I must say, the Nexus 4's Gorilla Glass held up really well, there were only two very fine scratches, I was impressed. However it does now have two scratches that I'm 100% sure a screen protector would have prevented.

I still don't use a screen protector. I'd rather take my chances than suffer with that. But just saying if he wants to better protect the phone, a screen protector would offer a bit more protection.

 

[wilds]

I've been getting my cheap cases from MiniInTheBox. They are usually cheap and its with free shipping. Expect cheap quality but with free(slow) shipping.

I got 2 cases for my iPhone 5 from them. One clear soft-gel plastic and a silicon case. They were each a dollar and it took about 2-3 weeks to come. Both are in decent condition still and can definitely last a few years more.

I will never pay more than $5 for a smartphone case as I think anything above that is a ripoff unless it provides additional benefits other than protecting it. I've dropped my phone many times and these cheap cases provide great protection.

 

[destrekor]

Disagree. I've dropped my phone a lot and a TPU case has always done the job. An impact onto a sharp exposed corner is pretty rare... and the screen protectors ruin the touch feel.

Bad screen protectors ruin the feel, and worse, sometimes the overall image quality. Good ones, you really don't notice.

On the Moto X, Power Support's Brilliant screen protector is awesome. It is of the static/"dry-install" type.


I took a gamble based on some good reviews of it, because I was the same way, generally I hate them.


For the most part, all phones need protection, yet no phone NEEDS protection. It's up to the owner, how clumsy they are, and just what they really want to do. You can drop any phone from 10ft (or toss it up in a falling/flailing-type motion ) and have it bounce around unscathed. Well, the body would definitely have scratches, pits, and/or dents, but the screen might be perfect and all damage may be superficial and minimal. You can also then go and drop a phone from 4ft and see the screen get completely shattered/develop a spider-web pattern, or have other more serious damage. Half of it is luck, half of it is simply babying your phone with tender love and care.

After dropping one phone and getting a small divot on the corner of the body two days after purchasing it (usually the first drop is a good long while after owning), I decided I couldn't trust myself any longer and started getting at least basic TPU cases.

I paid a little more for the TPU-style case for my Moto X, because I got the Griffin one that was very slim and had a better body-feel... it'll also still work in the official docks.
It's also one of the few that best compliments the black & white look of the Developer Edition phones, imho.

 

[lopri]

Go check out the 5c display models at an Apple store. ^^

 

[Bman123]

Buy defender cases at best buy and have them price match amazon

 

[Doomer]

Go to Amazon and search for "Lunatik". Unbelievable protection at an unbelievable price. Put your phone in one of these and you could drop it from the Empire State Building and it wouldn't get a scratch.

 

[alangrift]

I recommend a case for any phone. It can't hurt to have one the main use for an iPhone case is to protect the screen from cracking. I recommend otter box.