Phone cases

[Dibble]

I’m too lazy to try and battle with the PH search function, so what are the current recommendations for decent phone cases?

I’m planning on picking up an iPhone 14 plus tomorrow and as I’m what’s technically know as “a clumsy, ham-fisted fker”, I t’ll be getting a case and screen protector as a priority.

My work phone (some sort of Samsung Galaxy) has an Otterbox cover, which I thought was halfway decent, so bought an Otterbox cover for my iPad, but I’ve been less than impressed with it. The rubbery part of the cover is disintegrating and the fit has never been great (I did buy the correct cover for my specific iPad).

My current phone case is a Mophie battery pack for my iPhone XR, as the phone battery just doesn’t last. There’s a service message telling me it needs replacing and maximum capacity is showing as 87%. I’m less bothered about that option for now, as it’ll be a new phone with better performance, so hopefully won’t be an issue right away.

I’ve used Ultimate Addons cases for phones previously on my motorbike and push bike, but they do seem to be a bit hit and miss and the plastic seems to be more brittle in the newer cases. The option to be able to attach to a car/bike mount would be handy, but not an absolute must.

I know Quad Lock are well thought of generally and I also know some people recommend Mous. DBrand do some interesting skins, but I’m not convinced they’d be robust enough to cope with my idiocy. What other brands I should be considering? I’m not bothered by specific names, as long as the case is decent, I’m happy with any brand (but no branding).

I’m not bothered about card slots and I hate folio type covers with a passion. I’m not after a lurid design, slimming black is fine, plastic or fake plastic will do. Maximum protection from minimum bulk is what I’m after. You may as well recommend me a screen protector while you’re at it.

[Radec]

For screen protector LK 5 in 1 is really good from Amazon, got one on my pixel and got the Mrs one on her 14 pro max.
Comes with a fitting tray that's basically idiot proof and will put it on without any bubbles etc.

[judas]

Spigen are sturdy and sensibly priced - used them over different phones for several years. All survived drops intact

[Dibble]

Radec said:

For screen protector LK 5 in 1 is really good from Amazon, got one on my pixel and got the Mrs one on her 14 pro max.
Comes with a fitting tray that's basically idiot proof and will put it on without any bubbles etc.

You clearly have the measure of me.

















This is exactly the kind of assessment/information I’m after. Ta.

[Mr Happy]

judas said:

Spigen are sturdy and sensibly priced - used them over different phones for several years. All survived drops intact

Second this - they're my go to phone accessory brand these days.

I've had Spigen on my last 3 or 4 phones and so far (touch wood) I haven't had one meet its end from a drop.

[JayRidesBikes]

I've always had Mous cases. They have adverts where they lob phones up in the air and they survive so thought protecting a £1200 phone in a £40 case isn't a bad deal. Anyway I put my iPhone on a folder on an upstairs windowsill in my office, window was open. I forgot the phone was on top of it and opened the folder, phones slides off of the folder and goes flying out of the window and landed on the paving slabs below. Case got a little bashed up but phone was perfect. They get my vote.

[somouk]

I use Spigen protectors and cases on everything and have done for years, been excellent.

[bitchstewie]

Just to add to the lover-in but Spigen are cheap and really good IMO.

[Harpoon]

I've got a Spigen on both my work iPhone and my own phone - they are the first choice every time for me.

[Alorotom]

I’ve got a spigen on my 13PM and its been used and abused and still looks great

[egomeister]

JayRidesBikes said:

I've always had Mous cases. They have adverts where they lob phones up in the air and they survive so thought protecting a £1200 phone in a £40 case isn't a bad deal. Anyway I put my iPhone on a folder on an upstairs windowsill in my office, window was open. I forgot the phone was on top of it and opened the folder, phones slides off of the folder and goes flying out of the window and landed on the paving slabs below. Case got a little bashed up but phone was perfect. They get my vote.

Given you ride bikes (assuming pedal!), have you seen this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wl0-aq8mT5M

The Mous cases seem to deal with some serious punishment in that video, so it's definitely one I'd consider in the future

[Terry Tibbs]

I’ve had a mous case for my iPhone for the last 3 years, it’s been dropped more times than I would have liked, but has protected it well. Wasn’t cheap but glad I got it and when I eventually upgrade the phone I’ll get another mous case.

[Dibble]

Thanks for all the people who took the time to reply. I’ve had one of the most anxious periods of my life for the last 23 or so hours, between buying the phone and just now fitting the case and screen protector to it! I did manage to only drop it twice during that period, but fortunately once was on the lino in the bathroom and the other was off the edge of my bed onto the laminate floor, so we escaped damage free. Obviously there was no way I couldn’t not open the thing before I got the protection and buying it ahead of time would’ve made way too much sense…

I picked up an iPhone 14 plus yesterday from the Apple Store, no discount on any of the Employee Purchase Programmes unfortunately, but always worth asking. I did get 10% off a MagSafe charger and some sort of random 6ish% on a HomePod mini impulse buy. I went with the 128GB in the end as that is what I’ve got on my iPhone XR and it’s been fine, I have plenty of cloud storage and the £100 or so I saved by not buying the 256GB funded the HomePod mini, so that was obviously a saving (in my head, at least).

I had a slight panic setting up, as it just wouldn’t connect to my home WiFi, whatever I tried. However, once all the apps had finished uploading it hooked up no problem.

In the end I went with the majority vote, as I know how PH loves a bit of democracy! I got a Spigen Glastr EZ FIT screen protector and Tough Armor MagSafe compatible case. I took my time fitting the screen protector and it went fine. I managed to avoid trapping any dust and the couple of small air bubbles were easily squeegeed out. Fitting the case was the proverbial piece of piss, despite what I’d read about it being tricky in a few of the online reviews. Sometimes being hamfisted does come into its own.

Pictures for reference. Yes, I’m still in my PJs. No, I don’t care (and I’d claim it’s down to my healing leg if there’s any quibbling). I did fit the screen protector and case on my lap over the tiled floor, for that extra added frisson of danger.





Now all I need is some recommendations for USB C type power plugs, extra lightning cables, non original MagSafe charge docks, a MagSafe style battery pack and a car cradle (preferably windscreen mount with wireless/MagSafe charging).

Thanks again for all the advice and enjoy what’s left of the weekend.