Verdict on silicone cases

[c.ruel]

Do they offer any impact protection or are they only good for stopping scratches and providing grip?

[martin37]

I have silicone case and it's really good thing, but unfortunately it coarsens phone.

[SniprUK]

I had a silicone case however I was finding that it was having an adverse effect on the phone's heat. The case was conducting a lot of heat so it was starting to get really warm. I had the case for about 3 months then ditched it for a much better one. Granted, it was a lot more expensive than the silicone one but at least my phone can stay cool!

[l1ghtm4st3r]

I, personally don't like silicone cases that much. They don't feel that good in my hand but that's up to personal opinion. I do have one though that I use to surround my DAC to avoid it getting scratched easily so on that front it is quite effective at stopping regular bumps and scratches that could cause damage. I like the hybrid gel cases much better, stronger protection fell better in your hand, snug fit around the phone and the designs look better too.


Here's a link you may be interested in:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/What-Are-t...7589909/g.html

[peterb]

There is a contradiction in that article

Silicone has excellent thermostable properties and low thermoconductivity. This means that silicone cases work well in hot temperatures, making them ideal for taking on holiday to hotter climes as well as sunny days at home. They can also be used safely in hot working environments. They do not become hot to the touch. Instead heat simply dissipates from the phone through the case.

If it has low thermal conductivity, heat will not dissipate through the silicon case, it will be an insulator.

If it is thermostable, it ,means it doesn't soften or deform as the temperature increases.

This link shows the thermal conductivity of various materials

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/th...ity-d_429.html

Aluminium for example is 205 W/m.K (Watts/metre per degree K)

Silicone rubber is typically .2 to 2.55

http://www.azom.com/properties.aspx?ArticleID=920

i.e. 100 times less thermally conductive than aluminium, which is why it feels warm to the touch (doesn't conduct heat away from your fingers)

So a silicon rubber case may reduce the heat dissipation from a 'phone. Is that significant? I don't know probably not, if it has been designed by the 'phone manufacturer who (I hope) would take that into consideration.

And normally a 'phone is in a quiescent state where it isn't using much power, only using a lot of power when it is transmitting data.

Silicone rubber does have other good properties though, as previously stated, protection from scratches, non slip and so on.

[fuddam]

Silicon: 100% recommend them. Esp the gel-like type. Have protected my Nokias from countless broken screens, rocks, drops (though, being Nokias, maybe they protected the rocks?)

Not only from impact, but makes the phones far less slippery.

[peterb]

Silicon: 100% recommend them.

<pedant mode>

silicone

</pedant mode>

[Dareos]

Guilty! And I prefer the natural look...


/coat

[virtuo]

I have a silicone case on my phone, it gives a slight lip so the screen can never be put flat on a scratchy surface and has protected the phone nicely after a couple of small drops on to tiles/concrete.

They do pick up and cling on to dust and pocket lint, and I'm not a huge fan of the feel, but the first accessory I'd ever buy for a phone is a cheap silicone case.

[james.daly91]

I've got a silicone case on my S3 and cannot fault it. Doesn't slip at all, rough edges so you can grip easily. It gathers dust inside the case, but that's not exactly an issue. Slight lip at the front so as virtuo said the phone screen can't be put on a scratchy surface. Combine the case with a matte surface screen protector and you're flying

[Chapstickman]

I use a Bodyglove Satin Case on my N5 and think it works just fine for normal, every day drops, and for the record i've tallied about 6 thigh high drops and 2 chest high drops. Although im inclined to believe its more of a 'gel skin' than a silicone skin. In my experience it has always been about the corner (in regard to keeping a screen shatter free). The higher the density of silicone in the corners aka high impact areas the better off you'll be imho of course.

[gizmoz]

Silicone cases are dust free and provides protection to your mobile phone’s open ports but on the flip side they attract dust and lint from your bag or pockets which can give your phone a messy appearance. If you are looking for convenience, go with silicone cases since they are much more flexible and easier to put on your phone than hard plastic cases. However, if you are looking for more style, opt for the fashionable plastic counterparts.

[alexander2020]

Sure !! There are few benefits of using silicon cases. There is an absolute protection from the scratches and your device not only looks good and attractive but an ideal screen protector will save it from many unwanted accidents that your phone may come across. The one I have been using is the HOUS Soft Gel Silicone Crystal Clear Transparent Case Cover for my iphone and I found it in the Gearmaxx store on eBay.

[gregzeng]

Do they offer any impact protection or are they only good for stopping scratches and providing grip?

Low cost is the main part. I have all colors available for my gadgets. It allows easy fashion-color changes, easy "repair" after damage or other disasters.

The transparency allows marking the INSIDE case to be dramatically color-contrasted, to highlight certain parts of the gadget: button & socket placements on the device, etc.

The softness allows easy modding: re-shaping with a scissors, more and/ or bigger holes plug-ins, increased grippability, increased cooling, lighter weight, fashion-leading decorabilty.

On all the flat surfaces of my gadgets, especially the battery & cases, I add light-colored masking tape. On these tapes., I add dates, statistics (weights, sizes, tech specs, etc. Plus other personal details (but NOT easily decipherable cyber-codes!).

Since I usually buy bleeding-edge gadgetry, it is not often that silicin cases exist. So I mod or make my own, by shaping cases made for other gadgets. Silicon-plastic glue, hot-melt glue, blue-tack, scissors, etc help me create custom silicon-rubber cases.
I do many other mods to my gagetry, but the above describes the silicon case only.

[crossy]

Do they offer any impact protection or are they only good for stopping scratches and providing grip?

Not going to protect your phone against a full height drop breaking internal components, but I would have thought that they definitely provide scratch protection and some minor protection for your screen. Given they're usually cheap and readily available, it's usually the first accessory I buy for a new mobile.

Kids like them because of the varying colours and designs. Personally though I used to like the Proporta leather one's with the aluminium insert