They come in all shapes, all sizes and say something about you, whether you notice or not. Cases brought the ruckus to the iPhone party, fulfilling an unnoticed need. These little bricks will set you back a few bills out of contract. So when a $400 flagship takes a nasty spill, you’d be glad there’s something between it and the ground.
For the Functionalist
Spigen Tough Armor – $29.99
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When Spigen launched this case a few months ago, it used the opportunity to make a point. The Spigen Tough Armor Challenge offered a steep discount to any OtterBox Defender owner who switched over.
A lab is needed to tell who is truly king of the case but rest assured, the Tough Armor boasts defense.
A 1.5-millimeters lip protects the screen from flat surfaces and modest angular impacts. Spigen shored up padding around the corners, where all but the most square-on hits will begin.
While technically two parts, there’s no assembly required. The phone just pops in and out. Regular removal will not tear up the case and the material does not stretch out or otherwise morph.
There are no protective flaps covering the holes. This may be pro or con, depending on personal tastes, but it means you might have to bust out a Q-tip or toothpick to scrape the gunk and fuzz out from time to time.
Tough Armor’s angular design almost makes it feel like a naked iPhone in your hand. It even fits in accessories like exercise arm sleeves without fuss or modification.
While smartly designed with protection in mind, it may feel a bit lightweight for those seeking hardcore armor. However, the case is a pleasure to use and is more than capable of keeping an iPhone alive and well through normal use.
For the Militarist
OtterBox Commuter – $24.99
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For those looking to tank up their gear without selling their souls to the Defender series, the Commuter is the best bet.
Despite lacking the popularity of its beefier sibling, the Commuter still touts the kind of multi-layer protection that has become the OtterBox hallmark.
A silicone jacket wraps around the device, which is the encased in a polycarbonate shell. Combined with a sizable lip, that pretty shiny iPhone tucks safely away when the whole contraption goes skidding across the blacktop. It should be noted that the commuter does not include the built-in glass screen protector of the Defender, but compatible alternatives are available.
The Commuter does have port covers, which protects the sensitive insides to a certain degree.
The case is too large to be compatible with certain accessories. Like the Defender, the Commuter does not allow for easy or regular removal. Attempting to use it in this way will damage the polycarbonate and warp the silicone over time, leading to a looser fit.
That said, if you don’t plan on taking the phone out of the case much, the Commuter is probably the most solid pure protection you can get for the medium size. It feels sturdy and solid in your hand and the price tag is hard to beat.
For the Minimalist
Griffen Midtown Wallet – $44.99
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The 21st century “phone, wallet, keys, check” can be reduced to two quick pocket pats with this case. Cash, cards and a millennial’s most important personal tool all fit snugly together.
This one requires breaking in, but the case softens and can be used with ease. A leather frame with metal core houses the phone. The shape of the housing is somewhat off, and the leftmost bar makes covers a sliver of the phone’s screen, making it difficult to navigate at times.
That part of the housing doesn’t really do anything to hold the phone in. A decent pair of wire cutters can modify away this flaw in seconds flat.
The opposing side of the billfold has two slits for cards, which can accommodate about two or three each. Bills protrude somewhat, creasing in the wallets fold but remaining easy to access.
Protection value seems untested but some inherent qualities of the case make it seem pretty solid.
The leather feels sturdy in the hand and the folding nature of the wallet means a built-in screen protector.
A cutout for the camera and flash preserve those tools’ functionality when the phone is housed.
All in all, this case is really about personal taste. If it makes sense in your head to combine your wallet and phone, Griffen has got you covered. The Midtown provides reasonable protection and functionality, but the price tag might be a little steep for what it actually is.
Shopping around for a similar concept may not be a bad idea, but the Midtown Wallet for iPhone is tried and true.
For the Purist
AppleCare – $99 for two years
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Some of the best protection is a piece or paper or let’s be real, a PDF. AppleCare is an extended maintenance plan that also opens up repair services on accidental damage.
While AppleCare can absolutely be used with a case, the invisible guardian insurance angel frees you up to carry your phone as naked as the day it rolled off the line.
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