iPhone: The Missing Manual

Protecting Your iPhone

With its glass-and-chrome good looks, keeping the iPhone from getting scuffed, scratched, or dented is a priority for many people who've just dropped $500 or $600 on the thing. Two accessories in particular can bring an extra layer of protection (and peace of mind): cases and screen protectors.

Cases

Tucking your iPhone inside a leather or rubber covering can make it easier to handle as well as helping it hold up inside your pocket or purse. When you shop for a case, keep in mind the ways you use your iPhone. Into sports and activity? Perhaps a brightly colored rubberized covering that lets you dial without taking it out of the case would work best. Using it as you stroll around the office all day? Consider a smart leather holster-style case with a belt clip.

Screen Protectors

People who've used stylus-based Palms, Pocket PCs, or smartphones are big fans of screen protectors—thin sheets of sticky plastic that lie smoothly over the glass to provide a protective barrier. Many iPhone accessory shops (iPhone Accessories) sell screen protectors customized to fit perfectly over the phone's touch-sensitive side.