How Much Are You Willing to Spend on Phone Protectors & Cases?

I'm such a tightass that even if my phone is like $1k+ I'm still really only willing to spend $5 on a case, and maybe another $5 on a screen protector.

How much are you willing to spend?

Poll Options

  • 37
    < $10 each accessory
  • 62
    $10-$30 each accessory
  • 15
    $30-$50 each accessory
  • 12
    $50-$100 each accessory
  • 9
    $100+ each accessory

Comments

  • +1

    Poll?

  • +1

    So not phone case, but my switch slipped out of my dock recently whilst I tilted it to plug the cable in (dumb I know). The glass cracked and I was devastated… it was an hour into researching how much it would be to repair / how to self replace when my husband was like isn't this a screen protector. Thank goodness me 7 years ago put one on.. i had forgotten about it. Worth the $30 (for a twin pack).

  • Case
    For a standard case, I expect to pay $5-$10 each. $10-$15 for a magsafe case from ebay/amazon and I expect it to come in a few days.

    Tempered Glass Screen Protector
    This is a lot harder to pick because depending on the phone, you might end up rendering the fingerprint useless if you do not get a compatible screen protector. I would rather pay more and get one that has 100% compatibility than risk it with random screen protector or get a glass screen protector with a gap hole to use fingerprint. Phones with curve screen only adds to the complexity.

  • +1

    $2

    • +3

      Bold move.

  • +1

    $10-$20 per accessory (would expect a 3 pack of tempered glass screen protectors). Would only consider spending more if really desperate (had the device in hand ready to use and couldn't wait for accessories in the mail).

  • +1

    QuadLock all the time.

  • Now that Apple doesn't do leather cases anymore, I guess I'll be spending less on aftermarket MagSafe cases for phones. I liked the old official ones, the leather was just quality enough to not start flaking off with regular daily use.

  • +1

    I always get my tempered glass screen protectors from Amazon now. They like $15 for a 3 pack.

    However I like to splurge on Otterbox cases for my phones. They might be slightly pricier but find that they are the most durable and lasting. I did dabble into the Castify ones for a while but they just break too easily.

    • -3

      but find that they are the most durable and lasting.

      I doubt you've tried all the others…

      • +1

        Might not have tried all but I think I’ve tried enough - cheap and expensive, to know that I always go back to the Otterbox Symmetry case. Everyone would have their own opinions and preferences on things like this.

  • $0. Let your phone be naked!

  • Ringke case for about $20 from Ebay. Some liquid gel glass for $25 from the mobile accessory shops in Westfield.

  • Which cases or screen protectors even cost $100+?

    I paid $85 for my Bellroy case for Pixel 8 Pro. The Peak Design one is $89. And I can't think of any other brands that would charge more unless you're paying for custom print designs.

    The only high end screen protector brand I've heard of is Shellrus Sapphire and they don't keep stock in Australia and seemingly only make them for iPhones so they weren't an options. Even the brand name tempered glass screen protectors cost under $30 from what I've seen.

  • I don't do screen protectors. They reduce the sensitivity too much for my liking.

    • Use 90 Hz or even 120 Hz if your phone supports. Also I have noticed that after I wash my hands with antibacterial hand soap or wiping my phone with disinfectant wipes ($3 for 120 pcs at Wollies), the screen will become smoother or more sensitive.

      • Don't wipe your phone with disinfectant wipes too often, you'll risk rubbing the oleophobic coating off. I did it once for my older phone and it was incredibly annoying.

  • I still have the free one that came with my phone.

  • +1

    Got peak design case - not cheap but also lasting a lot longer than all those before it

    • I second Peak Design. Excellent feel to the cases. I like the mount connection better than quadlock and I find the wireless charging more reliable than my quadlock…. But not cheap at about $90 per case and barely ever on sale.

  • I have an S23 Ultra with gel screen protector $12 for 3 or so, leather wallet-type case for $10 or so, same of all previous phones and family member's phones

  • spend at least $50 on the protector and case.

  • +1

    I bought an Otterbox Defender XT case for the Galaxy Flip 6 last month for $130 to try and give a fragile phone some protection.

    Chucked the receipt out straight away thinking it'll at least last me for a year or so. Their website states that the warranty period is either 2 or 7 years. Three weeks later, I'm overseas and part of the hinge cracks and snaps off - hadn't dropped it or anything either. I've been going back and forth for the last week or so trying to claim warranty through Otterbox and sent them pictures and the transaction record from my bank account, but that's not good enough for them. They say that they need the actual proof of purchase to ensure I'm "within their warranty period". Pretty ridiculous excuse to deny warranty given that the Galaxy Flip 6 was only released less than two months ago! I'm pretty pissed off to say the least!

    • +1

      Where did you buy it from? If from a B&M store, try returning it there. They might even have your receipt on file.

      • I got it from Harvey Norman, but I've since moved overseas so I can't really go back there and it's probably not worth the effort going through their customer service emails trying to get a copy of the receipt. I'm more annoyed that, for a company with a decent reputation, they're using such a shitty excuse to deny warranty. I've since spent over AUD$100 buying a couple original Samsung cases instead so that the phone at least has some sort of protection.

  • i got a benks kelver 15pro max case on aliexpress for $39 when it came out
    its been perfect ever since
    i get the 3/5 pack screen protector for $10 on aliexpress or amazon

  • +2

    aliexpress , sort by cheapest

  • $50 for the case

    $15 for the screen protector.

  • I’m cheap with screen protectors and cases too. I buy them from Bangkok/Kuala Lumpur during layovers. $1 for screen protectors and $5 for cases from Daiso or the market. I buy a few and replace them every few months.

  • For a case I'm OK with spending over $10 if it does a better job protecting my phone and has the functionality I need. But screen protectors should be less than $10 per protector.

    The only phone I've spent more than that was my S23 Ultra simply because I needed a protector that worked with the fingerprint reader. It really didn't like tempered glass.

    Cases and screen protectors are designed to get damaged so that your phone doesn't.

  • Mine runs commando and falls back on phone insurance provided by your friendly credit card if I need a refresh…

  • "Genuine leather" case from AliExpress. 3 for $7 screen protectors from eBay. Sorted.

  • Spigen for me every time. The prices on these have gone up but I just get them from ProGadgets when on sale. Have had the phone accidentally tossed onto concrete and no damage. Great cases.

  • no set price, just whatever is decent quality at the cheapest price. long ago learnt my lesson of not having a screen protector.

  • Get one of those fake leather folding cases from AliExpress ~$5.

    Don't need a screen protector with this type of case.

  • +1

    I got an Otter case. Unfortunately, I'm no longer careful as it seems to endure anything now. I'll never be able to go back to a cheap case.

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