<p>D has a new iphone, courtesy of Santa and Grandpa. Is it wishful thinking or might there be a case that would protect it from damage (more concerned about damage that would cause the phone to malfunction than about cosmetic damage)?</p>
<p>I have one for my iPhone that I think is very good at protecting in the event it gets dropped and will make it harder to drop in the first place because it’s tactile so it doesn’t slip like an out of the bag iPhone does. The corners and edges of it are fairly thick rubber as opposed to the ‘skins’. This one doesn’t cover the screen of it but I’ve never had a problem with that. It’s also inexpensive. They come in different colors.</p>
<p>Mine’s made by Speck. I have this one -
[PixelSkin</a> for iPhone 3G/3GS - Spearmint Green - iPhone Cases - Speck Products](<a href=“http://www.speckproducts.com/iphone/pixelskin-1097.html]PixelSkin”>http://www.speckproducts.com/iphone/pixelskin-1097.html)</p>
<p>I currently have a thick, rubbery cover that I like because it has a good grip to it. I’ve also had a hard, plastic case that I liked. I think she definitely needs some type of case to prevent damage, but to me phone cases are like handbags - very personal choice. Our mall has a phone case kiosk which has a lot of choices, as does Best Buy.</p>
<p>Any case with a “lip” around the screen is better than no case: if the phone falls on the concrete garage floor screen down, the “lip” will protect the screen glass from breaking. If your D is known to smear nail polish or other icky-sticky stuff on her phones, get a screen protector as well. I have an iFrogz case which I modified by adding a wrist strap - it was a good investment.</p>
<p>The front of the iPhone is glass. Just like your car windshield, it’s virtually scratchproof and you don’t need to worry about a screen protector.</p>
<p>However, it will break if you drop it. Something that provides a little cushion might not be bad if you are dropsy.</p>
<p>The back is easy to comestically scratch. I used a Bodyguardz clear plastic film to protect my back.</p>
<p>Having purchased 3 iphones in the Fall, I highly reccommend getting the hard covers that the ATT store sells specifically for this phone.Somewhat pricey but they absolutely protect the phone when/if dropped.The raised edges absorb impact and help prevent possibly smashing the glass on the phone.I know people who had the rubber cases from the kiosks in the mall and absolutely cracked/ruined their phones when dropped. The extra money we spent on the cases was sooo worth it in the long run.We have a friend who worked at the ATT store who told us beforehand to definitely get the cases that the ATT store sells. It wasnt just a sales pitch (since she doesnt work there anymore) but a preventative measure to keep our phones from breaking…Plus the rubber edge cases get stuck in your pockets!!LOL Just my opinion…:)</p>
<p>I have mine in a Speck Candyshell. Sleek and very sturdy with the protective rubber lip. So far so good.</p>
<p>The iphone screens do shatter…both of my kids have broken their iphone 3gs by dropping them. The distance they fell was surprisingly minor…but the freakish angle at which they hit the ground shattered the screens like an automobile window.</p>
<p>[CandyShell</a> for iPhone 3G and 3GS - DarkHeart Black - iPhone Cases - Speck Products](<a href=“http://www.speckproducts.com/iphone/candyshell-1187.html]CandyShell”>http://www.speckproducts.com/iphone/candyshell-1187.html)</p>
<p>btw…I bought my speck products through Amazon…less than half the cost of regular retail.</p>
<p>I broke a lot of phones and got an Otter case for my iphone. I dropped it frequently (or it fell out of a pocket, etc.) on tile, the driveway and other hard surfaces and it kept on ticking. I don’t have that phone anymore so can’t see exactly which one I had, but it was great. We got it at the AT&T store and asked for the most durable case available.</p>
<p>I have a “rubbery” Incipio case that works well.</p>
<p>[iPhone</a> 3G Cases, iPhone 3GS Cases, iPhone Accessories, iPhone Skins, iPhone 4G Hard Shell Cases, iPhone Carrying Cases, 4G Cases](<a href=“http://www.myincipio.com/iPhone-3G-3GS-Cases-Accessories/iPhone-3G-3GS-Cases-Accessories.asp]iPhone”>http://www.myincipio.com/iPhone-3G-3GS-Cases-Accessories/iPhone-3G-3GS-Cases-Accessories.asp)</p>
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<p>There is a difference: a car windshield does not constantly get rubbed with fingers (although if a small sharp objects gets under a wiper blade, it can scratch a windshield). Specks of dirt, body oils, etc, combined with constant rubbing will eventually etch the glass. So if the user likes to play with the phone a lot and likes to keep gadgets for longer than a year, a screen protector ($5) might be a good investment. I wish there were screen protectors for my touch-screen camera when we bought it 7 years ago!</p>
<p>Second the Otter Case recommendation. I use my iPhone as an iPod for running, including running in the rain. The only case that has been heavy duty enough for me and my not so gentle with electronics ways is the Otter Case.</p>
<p>I also bought cases from Amazon, and thought prices there were better than at either Apple or AT&T stores. I read reviews on Amazon, on iLounge dot com and the Macrumors forums to help me select cases. I’ve liked cases by SwitchEasy, Case Crown and iSkin.</p>
<p>Another vote for the Otter box. They are about $50 but cheaper than replacing an iPhone.</p>
<p>
Same here.</p>
<p>I just ordered one of these guys for my new ipod touch
[Welcome</a> to SwitchEasy](<a href=“http://www.switcheasy.com/]Welcome”>http://www.switcheasy.com/)</p>
<p>but these are also very pretty.
<a href=“http://www.getuncommon.com/[/url]”>http://www.getuncommon.com/</a></p>
<p>I like the screen protector too…mainly because it doesn’t seem to pick up as many fingerprints. I’m a little ocd about stuff like that.</p>
<p>speaking of Otterbox…Amazon is having a sale on them.</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> $0-$25 - Otterbox / iPhone / Cases & Covers / Accessories: Cell Phones & Accessories](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=tsm_1_tw_ad_el1_20110106/?rh=n:2335752011,n:!2335753011,n:2407755011,n:2407760011,k:iPhone,p_n_feature_three_browse-bin:2420785011,p_36:-3000&rnid=2491154011&low-price=&high-price=25&x=0&y=0]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=tsm_1_tw_ad_el1_20110106/?rh=n:2335752011,n:!2335753011,n:2407755011,n:2407760011,k:iPhone,p_n_feature_three_browse-bin:2420785011,p_36:-3000&rnid=2491154011&low-price=&high-price=25&x=0&y=0)</p>
<p>less than $25.</p>
<p>If you use your smartphone or tablet on public transit, you might want to consider getting this screen protector:</p>
<p>[3M</a> US: 3M Mobile Device Privacy Monitor - Screen & Anti Glare Filters](<a href=“http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/SDP/Privacy_Filters/Products/Catalog/Product-Catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GEMB0IGF3MOBJ3CN7_nid=4FCQDWV3NLbeKMRF0VGNPPgl]3M”>http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/SDP/Privacy_Filters/Products/Catalog/Product-Catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GEMB0IGF3MOBJ3CN7_nid=4FCQDWV3NLbeKMRF0VGNPPgl)</p>
<p>The creepy guy sitting next to you will not be able to read your Facebook page. :)</p>