Whether you are already running a phone case business or are about to start, you may be wondering what types of phone cases are available, which phone cases are more popular, or what type of phone cases are protective.
In our complete guide, you will find the different types of phone cases material and which one suits you best. Also, get answers to the most frequently asked questions.
What are the different types of phone cases material?
There are many types of phone cases available today, but the following 11 basic materials are commonly used, and different materials have their advantages and disadvantages. By understanding the structure of the materials, you will be able to select the most suitable case.
Hard Plastic Phone Case
Plastic polycarbonate phone cases are the most commonly used, and like most plastic products, plastic phone cases are relatively hard and strong. The production process is also simpler and on a larger scale, which is why plastic phone cases are cheaper than other materials.
However, the disadvantages of plastic products are also obvious: they are fragile and not scratch-resistant, and most plastic phone cases are slim and thin can not provide good protection when the phone drops.
Acrylic Phone Case
Acrylic cases cannot be hot-pressed and bent like plastic cases, so they are often used as the back material for mobile phone cases, which means there is no 100% fully acrylic phone case.
However, acrylic is scratch-resistant and unbreakable, non-yellowing, and has a longer life than plastic. That is why the high-end phone cases are usually made by TPU with acrylic at the back.
PU Leather & Genuine Leather Phone Case
The difference between PU leather phone cases and genuine leather phone cases is the raw material used and the cost. PU (Poly) synthetic leather is an artificial material that has the look and feel of genuine leather. With the improvement of technology, PU leather has replaced most genuine leather with lower price and good looking, and PU leather phone cases also can be cut and designed with wallet card slots.
So, if some factory quotes you at a low price but claims genuine leather, be careful!
TPU ( thermoplastic polyurethane ) phone case
The second most widely used material is TPU phone cases. TPU cases are highly flexible, soft, and mouldable, and can be combined with plastic and acrylic to create a new combined phone case.
Furthermore, TPU is more resistant to heat and scratches than plastic and Acrylic and can be used for a wider range of applications, not only for soft transparent phone cases, but also for colored cases by adding color.
However, one disadvantage of TPU is that it will eventually turn yellow over time with use and exposure to UV light from temperature.
But that hasn’t stopped TPU cases from becoming a popular choice recently.
PP ( Polypropylene ) phone case
PP material is Polypropylene, closer to plastic, but more heat resistant and flexible than plastic. The famous brand that sells PP phone cases is Peel Case. PP material can only be used to produce ultra-thin phone cases due to the nature of the material.
PP phone cases are non-yellowing, non-breakable, and non-scratchy, but not very protective.
Silicone Phone Case
Silicone phone cases are the softest material and were used in the very beginning to make 3D character cartoon phone cases.
Recently, silicone material was sprayed with rubber oil and attached to plastic materials shell, to create the liquid silicone phone case that is now widely used.
Biodegradable Phone Case
Biodegradable phone cases are very popular at the moment because they are in line with the consumer’s concept of environmental protection. There are currently 2 main types of biodegradable phone cases.
1, 100% compostable biodegradable material, all raw materials of this style are biodegradable, but the flexibility and protection are not good enough, and it is easy to deform after using for a long time.
2, 50% to 70% straw and TPU material combinations mobile phone case, the completion of the degradation time conditions than the 100% biodegradable material is longer and more complex, but better protection.
Wood Phone Case
Wooden phone cases are also environmentally friendly and are usually available in 100% wood, or with only the wood on the back glued to the grooved plastic phone cases. Wooden phone cases provide a natural hand feel, but the scenarios in which it is used are not widespread enough.
Carbon Fiber Phone Case
100% carbon fiber material is high cost, carbon fiber material has high rigidity, high tensile strength, low weight, high chemical resistance, high-temperature resistance, and low thermal expansion. It is a high-end material.
There are, of course, many carbon fiber textured phone cases that look and feel like real carbon fiber. The texture is designed on the back or somewhere on the phone case.
Even if the details and performance are not comparable to real carbon fiber, the price is much lower.
Metal Aluminum Phone Case
Metal aluminum material makes the phone cases look high-end, and protective. However, the metal is very hard, and for ease of assembly, all-metal cases are usually 2 in 1 or 3 in 1, or just a metal aluminum bumpers.
One of the more serious drawbacks of metal is that it may affect the signal of the phone, and metal cannot be used for wireless charging because it blocks the current.
For non-occasion use, it is advisable to consider before buying a full metal case.
Tempered Glass Phone Case
Tempered glass is not only used for mobile phone screen protectors, thanks to the widespread use of TPU material, but it is also possible to combine tempered glass and TPU material to produce phone cases that are both protective and attractive.
Tempered glass has the advantage of being strong, scratch-resistant and does not lose its colour, but with increased use, there is no way to resist fingerprint marks until you clean.
Which types of phone cases support custom?
It is important to choose a case that suits your needs, both in terms of appearance and performance, and if you want to increase the profitability of your sales, then consider starting your own brand and customizing your phone case with your own logo.
The process of customizing a phone case with a logo varies from material to material, here comes a list with custom way, you can also check this article about Ways To Customize Phone Cases :
| LOGO Custom Way | Heat Press Sublimation | 3D Sublimation | UV Print | Laser Print | IMD |
| Hard Plastic Phone Case | Yes (special film) | Yes (special film) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Acrylic Phone Case | NO | NO | Yes | Yes | NO |
| PU Leather & Genuine Leather Phone Case | NO | NO | Yes | Yes | NO |
| TPU Phone Case | NO | NO | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PP Phone Case | NO | NO | NO | Yes | NO |
| Silicone Phone Case | NO | NO | NO | Yes | NO |
| Biodegradable Phone Case | NO | NO | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Wood Phone Case | NO | NO | Yes | Yes | NO |
| Carbon Fiber Phone Case | NO | NO | NO | Yes | NO |
| Metal Aluminum Phone Case | NO | NO | NO | Yes | NO |
| Tempered Glass Phone Case | NO | NO | Yes | Yes | NO |
FAQs
Which type of phone case is best?
That depends you want protective, or slim but profitable phone cases, different styles of phone cases have their own user groups, some customers prefer simple ones, but others prefer rugged, Men prefer dark colors and protective phone cases, but girls may prefer pink and glitter phone cases. Based on my opinion, there is no best but what suits you is best.
What is the most common phone case?
Transparent phone cases are the most widely used, not only regular TPU material phone cases, but also hybrid shockproof design phone cases made by TPU + Plastic or TPU + acrylic, some designed with 4 raise corner airbags.
What is the most protective phone case?
To choose the most protective phone case from the material, the combo hybrid design is the best, a phone case designed with inside thick silicone or TPU shell, covered with strong plastic shell, with 4 reinforced corners and raised screen bezel.
What’s a soft case?
TPU and silicone is both soft material, PU leather and biodegradable is also flexible but need to be attached with TPU or plastic.
What is the most durable material for a phone case?
TPU is the most durable basic material for a phone case, that is why most phone cases are combines TPU with plastic, acrylic, pu leather and tempered glass, TPU is not easy to break and anti-scratches, even it’s getting yellow over time, but never out of shape and has the same protection from the begins.
Is a phone case business profitable in 2022?
2 main reasons that phone cases business still profits in 2022, first, low weight to save warehouse storage cost, second, low cost help you to begin with a low budget.
You can also start dropshipping first without any stocks, but the most important to have a successful phone cases business is your brand positioning and promotion, then phone cases can be profitable products in 2022.
