Categories / Mobile Phone & Accessories
Covers and Cases
Buying guide
A phone case is the cheapest insurance you will buy, and in the UAE it is also the difference between a resale-worthy phone and a scratched one. The two risks are different, and they need different answers. Drops threaten the body and corners; sand and grit in a pocket threaten the camera glass.
For drops, what matters is the corner — where the frame meets the screen and the glass, and where an impact concentrates force. A case with a raised lip around the display protects against a face-down drop, and a reinforced corner takes the hit instead of the glass. A full bumper-style case adds bulk; a slim wraparound with a lip is the better trade for a pocket.
For grit, the camera module is the weak point. It sits proud of the back of the phone, so it is the first thing to touch a table, a car seat or a bag. A raised camera bezel or a dedicated lens protector handles this, and they are worth adding even to a case with a raised lip, because that lip usually surrounds the camera rather than rising above it.
Material is a preference, not a quality signal. Silicone grips well and attracts lint, hard polycarbonate is thin and slippery, and a hybrid with a soft inner frame absorbs a shock while the hard shell spreads it. Whatever you choose, check that it is cut for your exact model — camera positions and button layouts differ between closely related handsets.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a case and a camera lens protector?
Yes, they cover different risks. A case protects the body, the corners and the screen from drops; a lens protector protects the camera glass from grit and scratches. Many cases have a raised lip around the camera, but that lip usually surrounds the lens rather than standing above it, so it does not stop a scratch from the side.
Which case is best for the UAE climate?
A hybrid — a hard outer shell with a soft inner frame — handles heat better than pure silicone, which can stretch and go slippery in a hot car. Avoid anything that traps heat against the back of the phone, and keep the case on in a parked car, because a case and a phone heating together in the sun is worse for the battery than either alone.
How do I know which case fits my phone?
Match the exact model, not the family. Two handsets in the same family can have different camera bumps and different button positions, and a case cut for the wrong one will either not fit or leave the camera exposed. Check the model number under Settings, General, About before you order.
Does a MagSafe case work with wireless charging and a wallet?
Yes, and that is the point of the magnetic ring built into MagSafe cases: it holds a magnetic wallet and a car mount firmly in place while still letting the phone charge wirelessly. Look for a case with the magnet array built in rather than a separate magnetic plate stuck to the back.