From the perceived trouble of #bendgate and flexing in your pocket to protecting the not-using-sapphire screen or worrying about what will happen if the smartphone is dropped, one of the biggest after-sales markets for the new iPhone 6 is the protective case.
I’ve gathered together seven cases for the iPhone 6 (all of which have variants for the iPhone 6 Plus)
to look at their strengths and weaknesses. There might not be a perfect
universal case, but each case will be perfect for someone. And of
course many people are waiting on the cases with top-up batteries in
them to extend the useful daily life of the iPhone (Mophie, I’m
looking at you) or are looking for a specific style. The former is
coming, and with all the options available, the latter is a few internet
searches away.
It’s worth mentioning that I had a particular focus on
three issues when looking at these cases. The first is the accessibility
of the buttons and ports around the outside of the iPhone (particularly
the headphone jack), the second is the amount of extra friction and
grip that a case offers the user (I find the iPhone 6 is rather good at
slipping out of my hand when it is naked), and finally how much
protection would a case legitimately offer in the event of a drop or
fall.
With all that said, bring on the cases!
Two-Tone Silicone Bumper
iPhone 6 Case Roundup (image: Ewan Spence)
Where to start? I decided to go as low as possible, and
headed to Ebay and the plethora of sellers based in China and Hong Kong
with vast stocks of every possible case under the sun. What was the
lowest priced practical protective case that I could find? How about the
keyword laden ‘Slim Silicone TPU Two Tone Bumper Case Cover For Apple
iPhone 6 4.7 Air’ for just £2.68 (around $4) with free postage.
This is probably the case that has surprised me the most.
Available in a number of colours, the iPhone’s four edges are covered in
clear plastic with the spot colours on the top and bottom of the frame.
Three metallic buttons rest on top of the hardware buttons, so you have
buttons that sit just above the bumper case. They’re not a snug fit, so
there is a tiny metallic rattle when I shake my phone, but otherwise
the construction is solid. I especially liked the rubber around the
headphone jack, which acts both as an expansion joint when fitting the
case, and opens up the space for a wider jack to fit in comfortably.
It shows off the slim nature of the iPhone, and while it
doesn’t affect the back case of the handset, the rounded plastic on the
four sides provides a much better tactile experience and offers much
more friction when you grip the handset. The plastic bumper wraps around
the curved edges of the iPhone, providing another layer of resistive
protection against bending, and the raised lips mean the bumper case
will almost always absorb the first impact.
(Currently available on Ebay at this link, from $4).
iPhone 6 Case Roundup (image: Ewan Spence)
Elago Slim Fit 2
iPhone 6 Case Roundup (image: Ewan Spence)
While a bumper offers better grip and some drop
protection, when most people think of a case they expect it to cover the
back and the sides in most circumstances. Elago’s Slim Fit 2 is
available in eleven different colors and adds very little bulk to the
iPhone, while offering a much better tactile experience than the vanilla
iPhone.
The case is a snap-to-fit style, with cut outs for the
camera and flash, volume, and power keys. The moulding wraps all the way
around the long edges, but only half way round the top and bottom. This
snugly holds the iPhone vertically, while keeping the speaker,
lightning port, and headphone jack exposed.
As to the difference between the Slim Fit and the Slim Fit
2, the former has a cut-out that shows the Apple logo. A nice touch if
you need to be seen to be with an iPhone, but I’m here for the
durability, so the all-over covering of the back plate is preferred.
The Slim Fit cases both feel good in the hand, and
preserves the look of the iPhone. If you are looking for a subtle case,
this is the one.
(Available direct from Elago’s Online Store, from $25).
iPhone 6 Case Roundup (image: Ewan Spence)
Elago also offer a leather flip case based on the Slim Fit
design. This has a leather backing that wraps around the left hand
side, much like the spine of a book, before acting as a cover for the
screen (and it has space for a credit card facing the screen on the
inside). This creates a much more luxurious feel in the hand, and there
is a cut out for the iPhone’s speaker so you can close the flip and
still make a call.
It naturally offers more protection for the screen, but it
awkwardly covers the volume buttons when the flip is closed. Any time
you want to change the volume, you have to flip open the case, or make
your best guess where the buttons are and make a heavy press through the
leather spine – neither option is perfect.
(Available direct from Elago’s Online Store, from $30).
iPhone 6 Case Roundup (image: Ewan Spence)
Elago Duro
iPhone 6 Case Roundup (image: Ewan Spence)
If you want a snap-on case that offers more protection,
then turn to the Duro. A two-part design, with extensive use of rubber
to create a case that has a lip around the device upwards of 3mm that
will keep the screen and lens off the surface of a table, the Duro is
complemented with a plastic backplate that wraps over the plastic and
around the long edges. The rubber is extend out to deal with the power
and volume buttons (although your mute switch is still exposed).
The headphone jack in this case is particularly recessed, and this may be an issue depending on your headphones of choice.
It does add to the bulk of the iPhone 6, and the resulting
look is very much of an industrial terminal that knows it’s going to be
dropped onto a concrete floor. Rugged and masculine without
being hideously bulky, the Duro is a case for the outdoor adventurer.
(Available direct from Elago’s Online Store, from $26)
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