Is it okay to use it hard?How to choose an impact resistant case and recommended products: Smartphone accessories purchase guide

Many high-end smartphones are using glass that is resistant to scratches and shocks. Therefore, compared to the display installed in smartphones in the early days, the possibility of major damage when dropped slightly is reduced.

However, the risk of cracking the screen or scratching the body is not eliminated if it falls from a high position or if the ground is in adverse conditions such as rock or concrete. If you are purchasing the device on the assumption that it will be traded in several years later, if you frequently use it in the outdoor scene, or if you have small children and you are often thrown or hilarious, use a highly durable case. You can rest assured that it is attached.

In this article, I would like to introduce five brands that offer highly durable cases, citing cases that can be attached to the "iPhone" series as product examples.

The impact resistance of a smartphone case cannot be judged by its appearance alone. Therefore, when considering a product, be sure to check the compliance with the "MIL standard".

This is a common name for a test standard for material procurement established by the US Department of Defense, and is accurately described as a standard such as "MIL-XXX-000". In the case of smartphones and cases, there are many statements that they comply with "MIL-STD-810". On the other hand, depending on the manufacturer, seller, and article writer, it may be expressed as "mil-spec" or "military grade."

By the way, there are multiple test items for MIL-STD-810, so even if the product is described as compliant, it does not mean that all the test items have been cleared. In many cases, there is no detailed description, but in the case of a smartphone case, you can think of it as basically referring to "Shock".

Also, I would like to check the ease of handling. For example, check if the shape is easy to grip if it is supposed to be used daily, if it is easy to operate even with gloves etc. if it is supposed to be used in the outdoor scene, and whether it is possible to wear a strap or carabiner. It would be good to do it.

In addition, it is a market where similar products are often on the market for smartphone cases. It is recommended that you first check the official website of the brand or manufacturer before checking the product, instead of using the EC site suddenly.

The "iFace" series developed by Hamee is one of the standard brands for iPhone cases. There are many "First Class" series featuring smooth curves and vivid coloring, and "Reflection" series of clear cases with tempered glass on the back. Although the design is casual and easy to use, many products comply with the MIL standard. In addition to the iPhone, cases compatible with some models of the "Galaxy" are also being developed.

In particular, the Reflection series uses tempered glass with a surface hardness of 9H on the back, and features a design that prevents bleeding due to close contact, and is light in weight. It should be a solid choice as a toughness case that can be used casually while taking advantage of the back design of the terminal itself.

Spigen is also well known as a brand that develops highly durable cases. In particular, it is characterized by developing many peripheral devices for Android terminals such as Pixel, Xperia, and Galaxy in addition to the iPhone. Many of the design trends are simple and not strange, so it can be said that it is easy to use even for business people who care about TPO.

For example, as a case for iPhone handled by Spigen's directly managed store on Amazon.co.jp, the aim is "Liquid Air (for iPhone 12 series)" which is MIL standard compliant despite its simple design. Grooves on the sides and back act as a non-slip. Although it is not compatible with MagSafe, wireless charging itself is supported.

Princeton's "UAG (Urban Armor Gear)" is also a brand that is synonymous with tough smartphone cases. As you can see, it features a highly durable design, and in addition to the iPhone, it also develops cases for Galaxy, Huawei, and Motorola products. In particular, the lineup for Galaxy is abundant, and it is unique that cases for foldable type products such as "Galaxy Z Flip" and "Galaxy Fold" are also being developed.

From the same brand, "iPhone 12 mini case MONARCH" is picked up as a case for "iPhone 12 mini". This product has passed the drop test from 122 cm and the drop test from 26 directions specified by "MIL-STD-810G, Method 516.6 Procedure IV". In addition to TPU, nickel plates and leather are also used as materials. Also pay attention to the groove on the side to prevent slipping and the relatively lightweight design of about 41g.

ELECOM, a major peripheral equipment manufacturer, is also developing a highly durable smartphone case "ZEROSHOCK" series. There is only a manufacturer headquartered in Osaka, so pay attention to the trajectory of developing peripheral devices for some models of the popular series in Japan such as AQUOS and Xperia. The company also has the "NEST OUT" series, which emphasizes outdoor use rather than impact resistance, so check this out depending on the application.

The feature of the "ZEROSHOCK" series is the characteristic bumpers installed at the four corners. Although there is no indication of MIL standard compliance, it is unique that a strap hole is provided. PM-A20BZERO also comes with a film that protects the display surface. Some colors have already been discontinued and are out of stock on Amazon.co.jp.

By using a glass material on the back, the number of cases that realize high durability while being a simple clear case is increasing. Here, I would like to introduce the "LINKASE" series, which is handled by ABSOLUTE Technology in Taiwan and developed by Kopek Japan as an authorized distributor in Japan.

The series uses Gorilla Glass with a hardness of 9H on the back and TPU material on the sides. By arranging bumpers in the corners, MIL standard compliance is achieved even with a clean appearance. The "LINKASE AIR" with a back glass thickness of 0.8 mm and the "LINKASE PRO" with a back glass thickness of 1.5 mm that emphasizes durability are available. Each also supports wireless charging.

If I buy it for myself, I choose iFace or LINKASE. All products are attractive for their high impact resistance, but I like the design that doesn't feel too heavy for a smartphone case for everyday use. Although these two brands have a relatively casual appearance, I was fascinated by the lack of presence of "toughness" that is actually compliant with the MIL standard.

Impact-resistant smartphone cases will fall into the relatively high-end category of cases. Even if you look at the sales ranking of Amazon.co.jp, there are many cheap and simple TPU cases. On the other hand, it is also true that MIL standard compliant and simple iPhone cases occupy the top ranking. The longer you use one model, the more you want to check the impact resistant case.