Drop Protection & Why Your Phone Case Needs It

From keeping in contact with friends to capturing those core memories over a decade or longer, in today's ever-moving world we rely on our phones for a huge range of personal and work-related tasks. 

However, this growing reliance makes these devices even more vulnerable to damage from accidental drops, scratches, dents, and liquid – so how can we make sure that our phones stay in pristine condition through the rough and tumble of everyday life?

Finding the best cell phone case for drop protection provides that added sense of security for living life to the fullest, whether you enjoy high-thrills activities like surfing and underwater photography or prefer simple home comforts.

Keep reading as we explore exactly how military-grade drop protection works and recommend some of the best protective phone cases to help extend the lifespan of your device.

What is Drop Protection?

Drop protection provides an enhanced level of defence to shield your phone from accidental drops, as well as other impacts that may damage either the inner components or exterior design of the device.

Protective phone cases feature multiple layers of shock-absorbing R7X technology to limit any impact and are made from a range of durable, high-strength materials. Choose any rugged phone case from Ghostek and you'll find that they're crafted from at least one of the following three:

Polycarbonate

This is a type of transparent thermoplastic with a high strength that makes it incredibly impact-resistant. Polycarbonate is also lightweight and highly mouldable, making it the perfect material for creating protective cases with a variety of drop-proof features.

Silicone

As a variety of eco-friendly, synthetic rubber, silicone has a soft texture that delivers superior anti-slip grip. A silicone case is therefore particularly ideal if you find yourself dropping your phone often!

Thermoplastic Polyurethane

Combining the properties of plastic and rubber, a protective case made from TPU offers both durability and flexibility to disperse any impact that comes from accidental drops.

Different types of phone cases offer various combinations of these materials for solid protection. For instance, some combine a strong aluminium alloy frame with a flexible TPU inner skin and a built-in screen protector, while others are made only from silicone for a comfortable non-slip grip.

Why Choose Phone Cases with Shock Protection?

Every good phone case should be built with durability in mind, including features such as durable materials and screen protectors to prevent scratches and cracks. However, what's especially great about investing in a drop-proof case is that it guarantees complete protection for your phone through military-grade testing.

The Military Standard (MIL-STD) was originally designed by the US military to test the durability and ruggedness of a product. For example, with phone cases, military drop testing involves a total of 26 drops from heights of at least 4 feet to establish the product's limits. 

These limits include shock resistance on all surfaces of the case through multiple impacts, including edges, faces, and corners.

What Phone Case Has the Highest Drop Protection?

At Ghostek, our Samsung, Google, Motorola, and Apple iPhone cases go through an even more rigorous, multi-dimensional drop testing process from heights of up to 12 feet.

If you're looking for a slim and lightweight, yet rugged case to protect phones while on the go without adding extra bulk, here are our top five recommendations:

1. Atomic Slim

For an option that's state-of-the-art military-grade drop-tested, our top choice is the Atomic Slim. Built to withstand drops and falls of up to 12 feet, this case offers multiple high-strength layers, including an aluminium alloy frame, a flexible TPU inner skin, and shock-absorbing R7X technology.

It also features an anti-slip enhanced grip and raised edges to protect the camera lens, along with precise detailed cutouts and defined reactive buttons to ensure full functionality alongside protection.

2. Covert

Protective phone cases can be sleek and stylish too, which is exactly what you'll find with the Covert model.

The Covert is a transparent case that provides invisible protection for drops of up to 8 feet. With a thin, lightweight design, this case doesn't add extra bulk, therefore making your phone pocket-friendly.

The shockproof protective case also has R2X silicone corners that act as a built-in screen protector to prevent your phone from shattering, especially if the point of impact is located at the corner. Plus, its scratch-resistant clear back is guaranteed not to yellow for 18 months.

3. Exec

As well as offering 12-foot drop resistance and the other shock-absorbing capabilities of our other models, the Exec is one of the best protective phone cases for simplifying your daily carry.

This case comes with a built-in wallet that adds a layer of durability and extra impact protection around the edges, alongside added bulk from any cards or cash. The MagSafe compatible cardholder attaches and detaches easily using strong magnets to securely hold up to 3 credit, ID, or transportation cards.

Its safe locking design is also compatible with a range of smartphone accessories, including armband and vehicle mount attachments

4. Nautical

If you're looking for drop resistance at the pool, beach, or through extreme weather conditions, try protective phone cases like the Ghostek Nautical. Featuring an IP68 rating and a 360-degree watertight port seal, this case protects your phone from submersion in depths of 20 feet for up to an hour.

The Nautical also comes with 12-feet drop resistance and anti-slip grip, as well as a unique holster that clips to your belt or purse – there's therefore no need to worry about dropping the phone when your hands are full!

5. Iron Armor

The Iron Armor is a rugged case with a dual-layer construction, which includes a durable outer polycarbonate frame and a hybrid TPU inner skin. Thanks to military testing, this heavy-duty case is built to withstand serious drops from up to 2 metres, and features raised bezels that act as a camera and screen protector.

Plus, a built-in kickstand, cardholder slot, holster, and swivel belt clip ensure your phone functions optimally in any environment, from work commutes to long hikes.

Whether you're playing games on the go or preparing for those summer beach trips, check out our comprehensive range of fully drop-tested Samsung and Apple iPhone cases and tempered glass screen protectors today.