# Economic iPhone Protectors Case-Mate's Utilitarian 'Recession Case' Saves You Money, Not Style By Robyn Currie | Published 2009-09-11 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recession-case References: [gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5357228/recession-cardboard-iphone-case-matches-my-furniture) & [case-mate](http://www.case-mate.com/iPhone-3G-Cases/Case-Mate-iPhone-3G--3GS-recession-case.asp) In these tough economic times it is important to conserve and save where possible. So what do you do when you want to protect your [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-case-2), but do not have the coin to do it? Case-Mate’s Recession Case is what you get! Made out of cardboard, the Recession Case allows you to both protect your iPhone and maintains your uber-cool gadget identity. Although it is not water-proof, and it does require some assemblly, the Recession Case is terribly awesome. It can be purchased as one unit, or as a ‘Bailout Bundle’ in a pack of 10. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.8/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 62% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sustainable Phone Accessories:** Case-Mate's Recession Case made from cardboard offers a sustainable alternative for iPhone protection. - **Budget-friendly Tech Accessories:** The Recession Case by Case-Mate provides an affordable option for protecting iPhones during tough economic times. - **DIY Phone Cases:** The Recession Case's assembly feature allows users to customize and personalize their own iPhone cases. ### Who This Affects Most - **Mobile Accessories:** The Recession Case presents an opportunity for mobile accessory companies to explore sustainable and economical alternatives for phone protection. - **E-commerce:** Case-Mate's Recession Case could attract budget-conscious consumers and spur online sales of affordable tech accessories. - **Do-it-yourself (DIY):** The Recession Case taps into the growing DIY trend by offering a customizable phone case option for creative consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Recycled Material Smartphone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/native-union-reclear-case.md) - [Hyper-Cushioned Smartphone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hypercushionedsmartphone-case.md) - [Sustainable Tactile Smartphone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/native-union-reclassic-case.md) - [Fashionable Inflated Phone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-case-2.md) - [Sustainable Smartphone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-13-case.md) - [Minimal Textural Smartphone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ripple-case.md) - [Sophisticated Smartphone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sophisticated-smartphone-case.md) - [Recycled Plastic Phone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-plastic-phone-case.md) - [Gorpcore-Inspired Smartphone Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultra-bounce-case.md)