Case Study

CEBU, Philippines - With the range of smart device case options currently being proffered by local retailers, there's no reason why you can't get a new case for that new smartphone or tablet which you got over the holidays.

But which case do you get for your new tablet? Is a polycarbonate case better than a silicone case for your new smartphone? Or would you be better off with getting a polycarbonate or leather case?

Or would you pick a particular type of case to complement your fashion mode? You probably only have to play with colors. But if you are into the more fundamental purpose of a case - which is protection - it certainly matters to also consider the kind of material that the case is made of.

If you are in a quandary on this, here's a brief summary of the different types of cases currently available in the market - to help you pick the right case for your new smart device.

Silicone Cases

As cases for smart devices, silicone cases offer great protection from low-impact drops - considering how silicone cases can absorb the impact of a fall, thereby reducing impact-related damage on a smartphone or tablet.

Available in a wide variety of case colors and designs, silicone cases are also a popular go-to choice for fashion conscious gadget owners - with some brands offering cases that are made with silicone and leather components.

Leather Cases

Regardless if they're made from genuine or imitation leather, leather cases for smartphones and tablets are the popular case of choice of fashionably conscious gadget owners - given how they are typically designed with sleek lines and sharp curves.

However, leather cases only afford minimal protection for the products they are designed to protect (loosely, they can protect gadgets from cosmetic scratches and chips), and are not always built to provide extra protection from accidentally dropping one's phone or other similar situations.

Carbon Fiber Cases

Arguably considered to be the best type of case against drops on hard tile or concrete, carbon fiber cases are perfect for clumsy smart device owners.

Though opting for a carbon fiber case is not an assurance that one's phone or tablet would be "bulletproof," these cases are typically capable of protecting devices from cracked screens and other major issues - apart from being lightweight.

Available in different colors and body designs, carbon fiber cases are among the more expensive variety of gadget cases, considering the high degree of protection they afford smart devices with.  (FREEMAN)