When you purchase a new smartphone, there’s one major think you need to think about: protection. Cases and screen protectors are arguably some of the most important accessories you’ll need to consider when buying a new smartphone, but not everyone is interested in spending the extra money on potentially bulky cases or screen protectors that are often harder to properly apply than they should be.
We’d argue that cases and even screen protectors are invaluable additions to smartphones, but we want to know what you opt for. Do you buy a case and/or screen protector for your phone, or do you prefer to live life on the edge without any protection?
Making the case for a case
I fully understand the desire not to use a case. They can often be quite bulky, and while smartphones are steadily becoming thinner, cases will still add extra heft. Also, they tend to cover up the phone’s design, and sometimes you want to show off the gorgeous color, especially if you have the Indigo Pixel 10 or the orange iPhone 17 Pro.
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I learned the hard way years ago why cases are so important. I rushed to buy an LG G8 in 2019 and even made the trek across Lake Washington from Seattle to a store in Bellevue to get the Carmine Red color variant, as it was the only place to have one. I chose not to buy a case, and literally the next day, the phone slipped out of my hand and onto concrete, with multiple cracks across the screen and back panel.
And given the unique nature of the display and the overall lack of support for LG phones, I was unable to find a place to get it repaired. I still have the LG G8, and it’s still cracked. ‘Twas a sad moment for Derrek, and I pledged to always put a case on any new smartphone I got after that.
Fortunately, many companies are making rather nice cases with beautiful designs or clear cases to help you show off your phone’s colors. Furthermore, companies like Thinborne are making rather tough yet impossibly thin cases for those of you who worry about the added bulk.
Protect your screen
Your display is literally the most important part of your smartphone, as it’s how we interact with our devices. That’s why a screen protector is an essential addition to your smartphone purchase.
They come in many different types, too. You can get a regular clear protector made from tempered glass, TPU, Nano Liquid, or silicone. And for anyone without a Galaxy S26 Ultra and its unique Privacy Display, you can opt for a privacy screen protector, which will hide your screen when viewed from angles other than straight on.
If you have a foldable phone, there’s a good chance the inner display is already protected by a built-in screen protector, so you shouldn’t add another on top of it. However, the outer display should still be protected, especially if it’s the primary display you find yourself interacting with.
Smartphones aren’t cheap
With the rising cost of phones, it’s understandable why one might be hesitant to add expensive accessories on top of it. However, if something happens, you’ll find yourself dealing with repair shops, insurance replacements, or just a broken $1,000 phone. This fate could be avoided if you have protection, which is why we always recommend investing in a case and screen protector.
