iPhone cases are a dime a dozen. Check any online marketplace, electronics store or kiosk at your local mall and you’ll be met with hundreds of options, all based on no more than a couple dozen designs. Options aside, originality is typically lacking.
Offering a unique iPhone case is rare these days, so we wanted to highlight a few of our favorite accessory makers for your most-used Apple device.
iGlaze ION from Moshi
Apple’s battery case offering brings with it some odd design choices, including a relatively large hump on the back that contains the battery. Others take a similar approach: one which significantly alters the phone’s form factor in exchange for some additional battery life.
Moshi’s offering, the iGlaze ION ($99), takes a different approach. It keeps the iPhone’s form factor intact while adding length, rather than bulk.
The <3 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
The case actually comes in two pieces; the first attaches to your phone like any other, while the second slides over the first and contains the battery. When you’re not in need of the backup battery, you can slide the second piece off and operate the phone with just the first. When you need extra power, slide the second piece on and enjoy what amounts to about an extra charge and a half of the stock iPhone 6s battery.
Speck CandyShell Card Case
Speck is a well-known brand in the iPhone case market, and the CandyShell Card Case ($40) is easily one of its best offerings.
The dual-layer lining features a soft rubber on the inside for protection from scratches, and a hard outer shell that provides additional durability when dropped.
The case also holds 3 cards plus cash and provides an easy thumb release that allows you to remove cards or cash with just one hand by pushing it out of its carrying slot.
KUKE
Kuke ($69/$129) was a successful Indiegogo project that raised $25,000 for its rather unique take on an iPhone case.
The case features a backup battery, as well as the addition of external storage — something that’s relatively unheard of on iPhone cases. The case itself is slim, like really slim. All told, it adds just 4mm of thickness to the iPhone 6s Plus while giving you a full additional charge on the iPhone and 16 or 64GB of storage.
Zagg
Zagg ($60) is a case that features a powerful Bluetooth speaker built-in.
The speaker amplifies calls, music and videos as well as providing a rechargeable 1800mAH battery that powers the speaker and provides a backup power source for your phone.
Oh, and it has a protective bumper that protects both the front and back of your phone from dings, dents and scratches.
FLIP IT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY7iym518eU
FLIP IT ($50/$55) is an iPhone photographer’s dream.
A Kickstarter project, the case features a built-in selfie stick, a kickstand that props your phone up on any flat surface, a remote and of course a protective covering for the phone itself. I’m not sold that this is a daily-use item, but it does have application for day trips or outings where you might find yourself taking more photos than usual.
While remarkably slim for a case that contains a pull-out selfie-stick (it fits in your pocket), it’s still bulky and rather heavy compared to other cases. That said, there is a fair bit of utility for specific use cases and it might be worth using for some outings while swapping to another case for day-to-day use.
Bumpies
Bumpies ($35) leave the form factor of your iPhone intact by providing protection just for the four corners — the most vulnerable area during drops. The raised corners protect the exterior of the phone in drops as well as the screen itself due to the slightly raised design that keeps the glass from making contact with the floor when dropped.
Aside from four stick-on bumpers, your iPhone has the same slim profile that you’re used to.
Loopy
Loopy ($32) has a hardshell design to protect the front and back of your phone while providing a a finger loop that you can use to insert your finger in while holding it, or when making a call.
The extra finger hold would conceivably lead to less drops as you can release the phone entirely and it’ll hold tight to your finger.
Perhaps even cooler, it comes in right or left-handed varieties.
Kenu Highline
Kenu ($30) provides the same durable external case as most others, but attaches a leash to the bottom that allows you to clip your phone to a belt loop, backpack or a keychain.
When attached, the idea is that the phone will never touch the ground when dropped. Instead, it’ll hang mid-air from its security leash waiting for you to retrieve it.
iDeal Magnetic Wallet
With a touch of Swedish style, the iDeal Magnetic Wallet ($34) is as much an accessory as it is protection for your iPhone.
The leather-bound case wraps around hard shell case and detaches magnetically, so you can easily remove it when it isn’t needed. The wallet portion also contains six card pockets — including a windowed pocket for your ID — and a cash slot
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.