Silicone offers many advantages over hard plastic covers,. Firstly Silicone offers good impact shock absorption ( should you drop your phone.) Whilst hard plastic covers can only protect against light knocks and scratches . Silicone also offers a better grip in the hand so you are less likely to drop them - hard covers can be very slippery especially when wet. Silicone is also easier to remove and replace when cleaning your phone, it provides a tighter fit acting like a dust seal around your phone so dirt is less likely to get in any gaps.