Most smartphones look their best without any special case. Everything is accessible and they're easy to grip. Unfortunately, they're also vulnerable to damage, which is why most owners should find some kind of case or cover to protect their device from falls and spills.
But finding the right case isn't easy, and just because a cover promises protection doesn't mean it will deliver.
Looks aren't everything, when searching for a cover. Bumper models, which just cover the edges, aren't that secure, says Isabell Koerber from Fixxo, a mobile-repair service in Germany.
"We advise against bumpers and simple plastic cases, since they only work aesthetically, but don't really provide protection."
A cover that completely encases the smartphone will protect against all eventualities. With these models, the touch-screen can be seen through a protective screen.
But that protective layer prevents typing, meaning it has to removed and replaced regularly, making it impractical for day-to-day use.
Covers made of felt or other fabric - some people even use an old sock - have the same problem. They have to be removed to be used.
"And that's exactly when the device likes to fall out," says Alexander Spier of German computer magazine c't.
These soft covers also don't provide a lot of protection, though they are good at preventing scratches, which is a plus if the mobile is at risk of scraping up against sharp objects like keys or coins in a handbag.
Flipcases are a good compromise between protection and everyday accessibility.
"This protects both the display and the back side, as well as the sensitive edges, ideally," says Koerber.
But she recommends getting one that can be locked shut, otherwise it might pop open in a fall.
But this solution won't help with water, meaning you need extra protection before heading to the beach, where you'll also need protection from dust and sand.
"Watertight usually means you're protected from dust, which is good enough for sand," says Spier. Options here include flexible plastic cases, universal hard plastic cases or cases specially designed for certain models.
If you opt for plastic, make sure it's not too thin and that it provides a good seal.
"Beware of cheap cases," says Spier. "You might end up with something that's usable, but clunky."
The tougher universal cases provide better protection against falls, but are boxier and not always great for larger devices. They might also be frustrating to use, since they can block access to some features, like the earphone port.
That leaves custom-made cases as the most practical, since they let users access all features.
But these are only available for a few - generally, the most popular - models.
If all the talk of cases is too much fuss, look into dust- and water-resistant smartphones. You discover the protection level from a special code - it will consist of the letters "IP" and two digits.
The higher the number, the more robust the ingress protection.
There is a good selection of models with middle- to upper-level protection from producers like Samsung and Sony.
And while any cover will protect a smartphone from the environment, only a few will protect a worried user from radiation emitted by the phone.
Even ones advertised to block radiation will end up leaving users with more exposure, according to German computer magazine Connect. That's because the protection blocks the mobile phone signal, which prompts the phone to pump out even stronger signals.