RIM’s new BlackBerry Touch OS powers the brand new BlackBerry Thunder. The Thunder features a gorgeous touch screen. If you end up buying the BlackBerry Thunder, you are probably going want a case to protect your new Thunder smartphone and one of the ways you can do that is with a case specifically designed for it.
There are a few important factors to consider when selecting a Thunder case, the first being how well it protects your Thunder. From there, you will want to have unobstructed access to the stunning display and the other ports and controls on the Thunder. Additionally, a case that accents the features of the stunning Thunder, both visually and functionally would be good, oh, and something to protect the Thunder from short drops would be great too.
BlackBerry Touch accessories store offers a wide variety of Flip Cases, Slip Pouches, Gel Skins, Rigid Cases, Sport Cases, Screen Protectors, and Other Cases, the kind that add functionality or at least enhance the fashion of the Thunder smartphone. So really it depends on what’s important to you.
Flip Cases for the BlackBerry Thunder
These cases cover the entire Thunder; there are generally holes for access to the ports and the headphone jack. They then have a flap that either opens up or to the side that grants you access to the display, and subsequently the speaker and microphone as well. These cases probably offer the most protection short of the Rigid Cases.
Slip Pouches for the BlackBerry Thunder
These Thunder Cases are fairly self explanatory, they are pouches, and the Thunder slips right into them, and they are usually form fitted enough that the Thunder won’t slide right back out, but it is easy enough to remove when you really want to. With these cases, they usually have belt clips, D-Rings, something of that nature to affix them to your person, and you only get access to one port, depending on how you insert your Thunder smartphone. These cases also offer a fair amount of shock protection.
Gel Skin cases for the BlackBerry Thunder
These Thunder cases just slide over the back and the edges and that’s all they protect, you maintain access to all ports and buttons, the screen, and the Thunder’s camera. They protect the back of the Thunder, and the edges and offer protection to the screen from what might be on whatever flat surface you set your Thunder on upside down. These cases also offer decent shock protection depending on the material they are made out of and how they are made.
Rigid Cases for the BlackBerry Thunder
These cases are generally made out of either hard plastic or metal, usually aluminum. They also offer the most protection to your devices but also manage to be the hardest to gain access to your Thunder with. These are a prime example of the fact that you can’t have your cake and eat it too, you either have maximum safety and minimum accessibility or you choose a different type of case that offers a mix of the two.
Sport Cases for the BlackBerry Thunder
These are generally armbands, they hold your BlackBerry Thunder in place, protect the screen, protect the Thunder from sweat, and are specifically designed to be used while working out. The reason they are generally on your arm is because that seems to be the best location to put a device that you want access to, but don’t want the Thunder or the headphone cables getting in your way.
Screen Protectors for the BlackBerry Thunder
These aren’t cases, in most examples, there are a few that offer the same material their signature screen protectors are made of, but cut to fit the remainder of your Thunder, and in that instance, it would be considered a case. Screen protectors are statically or otherwise adhered to your Thunder’s display. They protect the display from scratches and dirt and smudges but also allow full access to the display, these can even be used in conjunction with other cases to offer the best protection.
Other Cases for the BlackBerry Thunder
Other cases covers those that offer up added functionality or those cases that are purely for fashion. I have seen some cases with fans, cord wraps, battery extenders, crazy stuff; it all depends on what there is a market for. Fashion cases can get quite extravagant or sometimes they exhibit the same characteristics as one of the other cases but are just made by a certain clothing manufacturer or something of that nature, such as Gucci, Fendi, Dolce & Gabana, Louis Vouitton, the list goes on but you get the hint. Like I said, some of the fashion cases just look ridiculous, like they are made from weird animal skins, or faker version of those same skins, or they look like purses, crazy stuff. In general these cases offer only mediocre protection.
BlackBerry Thunder mockup and unlikely to represent the final product.