Bumpers

Protection where the phone lands

When a phone is dropped, it lands on a corner or an edge far more often than flat on its back. A bumper puts the protection there: a firm, shock-absorbing frame round the edges and corners, with the back kept clear or slim. The result is a case that guards against drops better than a slim shell, without the bulk of a full tough case.

The kinds of bumper case

The word covers two things: a frame alone round the edge of the phone, and a case built round a strong bumper edge with a back of its own. The bumper cases here today are the second kind.

• Clear-backed bumpers pair a clear back with a soft coloured edge, so the phone's own colour shows through a frame of colour. Some come with a lanyard to wear the phone.
• Armour bumpers have soft silicone edges round a hard back shell for iPhone, for extra drop protection without much more size.
• Magnetic bumpers have a textured, anti-slip edge and a magnet ring for magnetic chargers and mounts, made for Samsung Galaxy S and A phones.

How to choose a bumper

Look first at the edge: raised lips that stand slightly proud of the screen and round the camera keep the glass off the ground when the phone lands flat. Then the grip: a textured or soft edge makes a drop less likely in the first place. If you want a strap, the clear-backed ones with a lanyard save buying one separately, and there are more in lanyard and crossbody cases. For a car mount or charger that holds by magnet, choose a magnetic bumper or one of the magnetic phone cases. For the most protection, look at tough and shockproof cases.

Questions people ask about bumpers

How do I make sure a case fits my phone?

Choose your exact model from the options on the product page. Phones that share a name are often different shapes: an iPhone 16 and an iPhone 16 Pro take different cases, and so do a Galaxy A05 and a Galaxy A05s.

Is a bumper enough to protect the screen?

A raised edge keeps the screen off a flat floor, but it cannot stop a stone or the corner of a step. Add a tempered glass screen protector.

Can I still use wireless charging?

Thin-backed bumpers usually charge through without trouble. Apple says a thick or metal case can stop or slow wireless charging, so take it off if the phone will not charge.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.

More to look at

• Tough and shockproof cases
• Clear cases
• Lanyard and crossbody cases
• Magnetic phone cases
• Protective cases
• Guide: How to choose a phone case: the UK buying guide