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Oooops. This is why your Galaxy S7 needs a case

We know better than to carry some phones without a case, like the glass-backed Samsung Galaxy S7. But we did anyway -- and suffered.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
Expertise Content strategy, team leadership, audience engagement, iPhone, Samsung, Android, iOS, tips and FAQs.
Jessica Dolcourt
Josh Miller

So there I was, minding my own business, when all of a sudden -- and I'm still not sure how, but I'm klutzy, so that's probably answer enough -- the Samsung Galaxy S7 fell from my hand to the floor with a slam. And cracked its glass backing. Badly.

"Well, duh", you're probably thinking. "That's what happens when you drop a phone several feet onto tile."

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Ouch! This is not what any new phone owner wants to see.

Josh Miller/CNET

But I was a little surprised, probably in denial. When I initially tested the phone in London, it fell the same distance onto a wooden floor in a pub and remained beautiful and blemish-free. I noted then that bashing itself on a harder surface would probably incur some real damage...and it did.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know I should have had a case lined up, but I hadn't gotten around to it and that's my fault. I (somewhat recklessly) ran my hands around the shattered backing to see if any glass protruded. No cuts here, and the backing is still mostly smooth, minus a few rough patches.

The good news: Even fractured, the S7 is still 100 percent usable. But I'm getting a case ASAP to cover my shame.

The moral of the story: S7 and S7 Edge owners, don't be me. Get a case! Now! If you need some suggestions, my colleague David Carnoy rounded up a bunch of them (below).

Best Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge cases

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