If you own a mobile phone, and we’re probably safe in assuming you do, then you very likely have a case for it... and for good reason! Cases not only offer protection for one of the most important and most expensive things most of us own, but they also personalise the look or even accessorise your phone with extra features.

However, not all phone cases were created equal, and making sure you know what you are choosing can be essential in making sure you get the right case for you. We look at the four biggest questions you should be asking before you purchase your next phone case.

One. What features does your case need? Cases come with many different features which you may or may not need. Understanding what you do and don’t want in a case will help you to narrow down your options and find a case that fits your lifestyle.

The most common feature we get asked for at Fone King is a wallet that can hold bank cards, but the biggest feature that most people forget to look for is whether the case is compatible with MagSafe and wireless charging, and many phone cases on the market are not. If you are someone who wants to use a wireless charger and MagSafe accessories and you don’t get the right case, you’ll need to remove it to be able to do so, which is just a big hassle.

The top 3 features to think about before you buy are:

1. Do you need a MagSafe and wireless charging compatible case?

2. Do you want a wallet for bank cards?

3. Do you want straps or grips to make the phone easier to hold and carry?

Two. How protective is the case?

Perhaps the most important piece of information when choosing your new case is how much protection it offers. It’s the main reason most people buy a case in the first place, so you won’t want to get caught out by a great looking case that doesn’t do the thing you most need it for.

This question really starts with, “how much protection do you need?” If you keep your phone very safe and away from situations that could potentially cause damage to it, then you may be fine with a case that is drop tested up to 5 metres. In most cases, this should be sufficient for accidentally knocking a phone off the desk or having it slip out of your pocket. If you work in construction, you let your young kids play with your phone, or take your phone with you on more adventurous activities, you’ll definitely want to look at a much more heavy duty option.

The top 3 things to ask when deciding on the level of protection are:

1. Where do you generally keep your phone?

2. How likely is your phone to get dropped?

3. Do you ever take your phone to places where it can get knocked about?

Three. How does the case fit? There is nothing worse than a case that doesn’t fit properly. It can be really irritating and probably means the case isn’t actually doing its job properly, so being able to try before you buy is important.

The other thing that most people don’t consider with fit is how much the case comes over the edges of the screen. The reason why this is important is because this can have a big impact on your screen protector. A case that comes over the edge of the screen, even by a millimetre, can cause the screen protector to lift and bubble. If this is happening, but you love the case, don’t worry. You can get custom screen protectors that are cut a little smaller so that they fit with these cases. Ask at your nearest FONE KING and we’ll be able to cut one for you.

The top 3 things to look for when getting the right fit are:

1. Does the case go on tightly or just slip on?

2. Is the material likely to stretch or warp with use?

3. Does the case touch or encroach on the screen protector?

Four. What is the retailer warranty? The warranty is a great sign of how much trust the retailer puts in their products. As with anything, there can be faults during the manufacturing process that are not picked up, and you want to know that you are not going to be out of pocket for a faulty product.

The warranty will also give you an indication of the expected lifetime of the case. Phone cases are designed to take a certain amount of bumping and scraping without breaking, and the length of the warranty will indicate how long they should last under normal levels of use. Yes, that $5 case might be cheap now, but if it doesn’t even last a week and it didn’t come with a warranty, you’ll be wishing you spent a bit more on a more reliable case.

In fact, if a retailer doesn’t include a warranty with their products, you should probably be asking yourself “why not”?

The top 3 questions about the retailer warranty are:

1. Is a warranty included as part of the purchase, or is it an additional charge?

2. What is the length of the warranty on this case?

3. What is included and excluded from the warranty?

The most important thing is that you end up with a phone case that you are happy with, and hopefully this article will help you ask the right questions to make sure you get just that.