I’m not a big fan of fancy smartphone cases. A simple protective silicone cover does the job for me. But when it comes to a device from the iPhone 16 series per se, you want a cover that protects the guts of your prized possession with military grade standard. Who would know this better than the nerds at CASETiFY, who design iPhone cases with style, functionality, durability, and sustainability in mind?
CASETiFY Ultra Bounce for the iPhone 16 is the extension of the Bounce series cases from the outfit. These cases, as the name would suggest, do not bounce around in ecstasy of hugging the iPhone, but share their moniker with the idea of shock-absorbing properties of the material they are made from. For instance, the MagSafe-compatible Ultra Bounce is made from a mix of recycled phone cases and plant-based materials.
The efficiency of durable construction and premium finish of the Ultra Bounce is a given considering the company’s excessive focus on it over the years. But to display that in a new light, using different camera angles and soft backgrounds, designer Zelig Sound and Tektura Studio showcase how the case design merges style and protection along with engrossing elements that reinforce the case’s durability features.
The goal well achieved puts the case through everyday adventures and depicts what the record-breaking 10x military-grade standard and up to 32.8 ft drop protection, that Ultra Bounce cases are certified with, would mean when confronted with difficult scenarios. The phone – at all times – remains cushioned from all sides and angles and ensure it remins protected from shock and scratch at all times.
The Ultra Bounce has a raised camera lens protection to ensure scraping the camera lens on day-to-day usage and rendering maximum shock absorption when the phone is to land camera first on the ground. Adding to the unconditional safety and protection of the iPhone 16 series is the range of hands-free functionalities the $100 Ultra Bounce design brings to the table. You can clip the case anywhere using a carabiner or carry it around in a lanyard.
Slim and light, lets original iPhone 16 design shine
Multi-angle stash stand also protects the camera
Unbeatable all-around protection
Doesn't get in the way of MagSafe features
CONS:
Stand doesn't support (tall) vertical orientation
RATINGS:
AESTHETICS
ERGONOMICS
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
EDITOR'S QUOTE:
ESR's newest range of Classic Hybrid Cases with Stash Stand gives the iPhone 16 the protection it deserves with no compromise to functionality nor a hit on its innate beauty.
The new iPhone 16 series is here, along with a new generation of accessories designed to complement Apple’s latest and greatest smartphone. While the iPhone has changed considerably over the years, what hasn’t really changed is its price tag, making it quite an expensive investment that people want to protect and keep for as long as possible. There is no shortage of cases that promise that, but many of these cover up the iPhone’s minimalist beauty with gaudy designs and fatten up the otherwise slim profile in the name of rugged durability. Other cases also add some functionality that complicates the iPhone’s appearance and use, going against the spirit of simplicity that Apple embraces. It’s rare to come across a phone case that offers protection that doesn’t obscure the original design or adds utility that doesn’t compromise other features. The new ESR iPhone 16 Classic Hybrid Case with Stash Stand and its siblings promise exactly that and we put them in our hands to see how well that promise holds.
One of the biggest reasons why some people are hesitant to slap a protective case on their phones is that these cases tend to make the phones look ugly and bulky. Of course, there are people who actually prefer to dress up their phones with stickers and decals, but the large majority want to show off their new phone’s pristine beauty, especially if that phone is an iPhone. That Apple logo on the back is, of course, a matter of pride for owners so it feels counterintuitive to cover that up with a thick and opaque case.
There’s a reason that ESR puts the “Classic” label on this series of cases for the new iPhone 16. Despite offering an impressive set of protective features, the transparent back still lets the original style and color of the iPhone 16 shine through, though you do have choices of colored edges to match the iPhone’s natural color as well. With a back that’s only 1.6mm thick, it doesn’t add that much bulk to the slim and sleek phone.
The ESR Classic Hybrid Case with Stash Stand embraces Apple’s minimalist design language, offering protection that you can’t see but definitely feel. It has no extraneous markings or branding that would mar the otherwise pristine beauty of the iPhone 16. It hugs the phone’s frame so tightly that it almost looks like a transparent skin wrapped around the phone. And the parts that you do see are also designed to be aesthetic, like the zinc alloy of the camera guard kickstand with a matte finish that just seamlessly blends with the camera bump’s design. ESR clearly had not just phone protection in mind but also user satisfaction in seeing the classic elegance of their iPhone 16 without worrying about accidents.
Ergonomics
Smartphone cases actually do double duty when it comes to protection. They buffer the force of impact when phones fall or bump into hard objects, but they also add some texture to the phone’s back to increase their grip. In other words, cases make it easier to hold the phone and reduce the risk of dropping it, and when you do drop it, the cases absorb some of the shock and protect the material underneath from scratches and dings.
Of course, that’s only true for cases that don’t increase the size and weight of the phone to the point of making it uncomfortable to hold or don’t use a material that’s even more slippery than the phone’s glass or metal rear. Fortunately, the ESR Classic Hybrid definitely checks the right boxes here as well, with an overall thickness of only 14.2mm and a weight of only 42g (1.7oz). The materials themselves also have a kind of “sticky” quality that prevents the phone from slipping off your hand easily. That stash stand also functions as a ring you can hang from your finger while your hands are carrying other things, almost like a built-in loop. It would have been nice if it could also function like a popsocket of sorts so you can hold the phone with even more confidence, but the current design doesn’t make that possible. That’s a puzzle that ESR will hopefully solve in future iterations of the Stash Stand.
Performance
A protective case is only as good as the protection it offers, and the ESR Classic Hybrid with Stash Stand for the iPhone 16 definitely has plenty of that to go around, almost literally. Almost every side of the case has a feature that ensures the safety of the phone no matter which side it drops on, including the 1.2mm raised edge around the screen and the 0.7mm raised camera guard. There’s also the acrylic-PC material used for the back of the case for enhanced durability and a TPU edge that is promised not to discolor and turn yellow over time.
One unique feature of ESR cases is its Air Guard corners, which are basically small empty pockets that serve as cushions for the most common part of the phone that hits the pavement. These look like very small bumps rather than obnoxious bumpers, staying true to the minimalist design language that the Classic Hybrid cases embrace. All of these give the cases military-grade protection, enough to meet the MIL-STD-810H standard for shock protection. The case can protect the phone from an 11-foot drop, offering iPhone 16 owners peace of mind without compromising their experience.
The “Stash Stand” part of the ESR Classic Hybrid’s name comes from the camera guard that flips down to transform into a multi-angle stand, supporting angles of anywhere between 15 to 85 degrees for your preferred viewing angle. Unlike other built-in phone stands like rings and popsockets, the stash stand gets out of the way when you don’t need it and even protects your cameras. The one disadvantage to this design is that you can’t prop up your phone vertically unless you lay it almost flat on a table, which is fine for scrolling through social media but not for video calls.
Apple’s introduction of MagSafe technology presented a design problem for case makers, especially those with rugged and thick materials. MagSafe won’t work through such cases, at least not without some clever designs and technologies. Fortunately, that’s no longer a problem today and, even better, ESR has found ways to actually improve on the technology. For one, it has even stronger magnets, about 1.5kg of magnetic locking force, so you don’t have to worry about the case making accessories loose and detach accidentally. It can even let the phone charge faster than with other MagSafe-compatible cases, beating its competitors by an average of 30 minutes. Best of all, the magnetic ring is embedded in the case itself, so it won’t scratch your iPhone’s back.
All in all, the ESR iPhone 16 Classic Hybrid Case with Stash Stand offers unparalleled, military-grade protection that doesn’t get in the way of your enjoyment of your phone. It retains the iPhone 16’s natural beauty while also giving you color options to match your phone and your style. It’s a no-compromise design that brings the best of all worlds while staying true to Apple’s own design philosophy.
Sustainability
Like many protective cases these days, the ESR Classic Hybrid is a mixture of different materials that each offer a different kind of protection. The acrylic-PC material on its back offers durability and scratch resistance, while the TPU around the edges gives flexibility and shock absorption. Unfortunately, these materials are also known to be non-sustainable, though there is definitely research and experiments on using alternative materials that produce the same durable properties.
That’s not to say, however, that ESR isn’t doing due diligence in creating a greener future, but its sustainability results are a little bit more indirect. For one, it offsets its carbon emissions through the ClimatePartner program. In addition, it helps keep phones away from trash bins and dump sites longer by protecting these precious devices and ensuring their longevity. You might not see a phone case as a “green” product, but ESR is definitely doing its part in healing the planet in its own small ways.
Value
Starting at only $19.99, the ESR Classic Hybrid Case with Stash Stand is pretty much a no-brainer for new iPhone 16 owners. After all, you are getting an impressive amount of protection against accidents and a built-in stand that stays out of the way and out of sight when you don’t need it. Plus, it retains the iPhone 16’s slim profile, sleek looks, and original style, allowing you to enjoy the natural colors you selected when you bought it. What’s not to love?
And for those who want something more or something different, they don’t have to stray far from ESR’s other new iPhone 16 cases. The Cloud Soft Case with Stash Stand, for example, has the same basic design but uses premium liquid silicone to give the phone a softer touch. The Cyber Tough Case with Stash Stand, on the other hand, levels up the durability with a 3-layer design that includes a robust PC backing, a flexible TPU shell, and an inner PORON lining. With these three designs, ESR has got all your iPhone 16 protection needs covered and in your preferred style.
Verdict
Just like with power banks, smartphone cases have become a fact of modern mobile life. No matter how durable companies make their phones, there will still be that nagging fear of throwing away money when, not if, you accidentally drop your precious investment. With the arrival of the iPhone 16, ESR took the opportunity to showcase the best of its design with the Classic Hybrid Case with Stash Stand. Offering military-grade protection that doesn’t make the iPhone 16 look like a tank, this case with a built-in stand is something you’ll have no reason to take off once you’ve put it on.
Picture this, it’s summer, you’ve packed your bags and you’re heading on a Eurotrip (maybe for a nice holiday on the Amalfi coast or to see Taylor Swift perform). In true holiday fashion, you intend on spending the entire day out and about, exploring the city, but you realize an hour in that your phone’s already on 15% battery. You might have a charging cable in your pocket, but there isn’t a power socket in sight. Here’s where a MagSafe power bank just makes things much easier. Designed to simply snap onto the back of your phone and give it a battery boost, the TORRAS MiniMag is a compact power bank that’s no larger than a credit card. With its compact size, 0.3mm thickness, and MagSafe compatibility, the MiniMag merely attaches onto your phone, giving it an extra 5000mAh battery so you can go about your day without worrying about being perpetually on ‘Battery Saver’, or worse, a completely drained battery.
Convenience seems to define the MiniMag’s entire design approach. It’s compact enough to slide right into your pocket or laptop bag when not in use, with a form factor no larger than your average payments card. At 0.3-inches or 7.6 millimeters thick, it might not be slim enough to fit into your wallet, but it attaches to your phone without making it too bulky the way other power banks would. It weighs a minimal 4 ounces (113 grams) and has curved edges running throughout that lets you slide your phone into your pocket without the power bank snagging anywhere.
Card-sized Power Bank, Snap and Go!
Long-lasting Battery Life
The TORRAS MiniMag packs a 5000mAh battery, which practically doubles your iPhone’s battery capacity. Wireless MagSafe charging occurs at a standard 7.5W, and if you’re looking to go faster, plug it into your phone using a USB cable to get 18W of wired charging speeds. The MiniMag supports pass-through charging too, allowing you to basically charge the power bank as it wirelessly charges your phone, keeping your iPhone’s own charging port free for accessories or dongles.
Ostand R case: 360 Magnetic Rotatable Stand
The MiniMag comes with a matte anodized aluminum outer body, in either silver or pink. Although designed to be used independently, it pairs exceptionally well with TORRAS’ Ostand R case, which also gives your phone its own dedicated rotating kickstand. The Ostand R is practically a marvel of engineering, with a stand that sits flush against the case when closed, but opens to prop your phone up. It relies on a specially engineered hinge that’s 1.2mm (0.04 inches) thick, but can resist tens of thousands of folds, and can even hold its angle like a laptop hinge (while taking the weight of your phone). The ring even rotates independently to let you place your phone in either landscape or portait, and it does so with super-slim magnets inside that extend your phone’s MagSafe compatibility, whether it’s attaching accessories or mounts, or snapping on a wireless charger or power bank like the TORRAS MiniMag.
Bringing the iPhone 15/14 Pro or 15/14 Pro Max into your daily routine is significantly enhanced with the addition of the BANG!CASE, which combines durable protection with intuitive functionality. For iPhone 14 Pro/Max users, they can experience an upgrade to the iPhone 15 Action Button. At its core, the case boasts a resilient TPU shell complemented by reinforced glass, striking the perfect balance between durability and elegance. The design elements of the BANG!CASE combines form and function without detracting from the iPhone’s sleek aesthetic while providing protection that doesn’t compromise on style.
BANG!CASE has a transparent strengthened glass back, ensuring strength while also allowing you to see through it, revealing the workings of the BANG!Button.
The standout feature of this case is undoubtedly the BANG!Button. This ingenious addition changes the way you interact with your iPhone, allowing the creation of shortcuts to frequently used apps or actions. This means less time navigating through menus and more time enjoying a streamlined, efficient user experience.
One-click screenshot, no more unnecessary actions!
One-touch photo sharing to Instagram, share the fun one step faster!
The BANG!CASE transforms your iPhone experience with its unique Playbook portal. This software is packed with shortcuts created by the BANG!CASE team and users from around the world. It lets you easily share to social media, turn voice notes into text, find your way home, or locate your car in a packed lot, all without a hassle. These complex operations and many more features can all be accomplished with just a single button. You can also assign three different functions to a short press, double tap, and long press to meet various needs in daily use.
Turn on notifications with one click and never miss anything important again!
The case’s design is a thoughtful combination of aesthetics and functionality. Its clear back has multi-layered graphics that not only enhance the visual appeal but also intuitively guide users to the BANG!Button. Set against a vibrant orange background, the iconic [!] symbol is unmistakable, ensuring quick and easy access to the button’s functionalities.
Memory capsule: Press the BANG!Button to start recording audio, transcribe the recording into text, and save it in your memory capsule, ensuring your inspiration doesn’t get lost.
In terms of power, the BANG!CASE is equipped to keep up with your active lifestyle. It has a 200mAh battery, supported by a magnetic charger that ensures your BANG!Button is always charged and within reach. Despite its powerful features, the case remains remarkably lightweight, adding minimal bulk to your device.
Digging deeper into the technical specs, the BANG!CASE supports a charging power of 5V 0.2A, ensuring efficient energy replenishment. The included magnetic charging cable facilitates a hassle-free charging experience, fully charging the case in under three hours. Once charged, the battery life is impressive, lasting more than 30 days, ensuring that your case is always ready for you to click away at the BANG!Button.
The case’s magnetic attachment feature adds an additional layer of functionality. It uses N52 neodymium magnets, which provide a magnetic force surpassing even that of the iPhone’s own Magsafe technology, offering a secure, reliable connection. Pairing the case with your iPhone is seamless, achieved through a simple long press on the BANG!Button, connecting via Bluetooth for instant interaction.
All in all, the BANG!CASE for iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max features a smart BANG!Button for quick shortcuts, a long-lasting battery, magnetic charging, and strong magnets for easy attachment. Ideal for everyday use.
Smartphones are powerful pieces of technology crammed in pocket-sized slabs of metal, glass, and plastic. But while they are indeed capable of impressive feats, they naturally can’t do everything on their own. Smartphones cease to be useful when they run out of battery or, worse, get a cracked screen, and no smartphone can actually stand up without some external support. And while smartphones are made to be beautiful and durable by their manufacturers’ standards, their bare forms might not meet the needs and tastes of all users. Smartphone accessories make up a huge and diverse market, and it’s too easy to drown in the number of choices available for different categories and purposes. To help ease the stress and confusion, we’ve collected this year’s 10 best designs that let you get the most out of your smartphone experience.
Arc Pulse Bumper Phone Case
Most smartphone cases sacrifice the device’s innate beauty for added protection. Even clear cases that try to be invisible still make the phone look cheap and unrefined. It may sound like a necessary compromise, but it shouldn’t have to be the case, no pun intended, especially if you have an innovative design that gives you the best of both worlds. With a signature pressure fit, the two pieces of the Arc Pulse slide onto the bottom and top of the smartphone, protecting the most important areas of the device while leaving the rest of the phone’s beautiful design unobscured, just as it was meant to be. Plus, the Arc Pulse’s unique organic design gives your phone more personality, complementing its innate beauty without sacrificing its protection.
Innovative two-piece design protects the phone without ruining its style
Dual-layer shock absorption and distribution ensures total protection from accidents
Lightweight and eye-catching design enhances the smartphone’s aesthetic
Casely Power Pod MagSafe Battery Pack
Apple’s MagSafe technology revolutionized the smartphone accessory market, especially when it came to external batteries, a.k.a. power banks. No longer literally tied down by charging cables, these extra batteries are now free to be thinner, smaller, and more expressive as they stick to the back of iPhones. Casely’s line of Power Pod MagSafe Battery Packs takes to the next level with a variety of designs, ranging from minimalist single-color blocks to artistic images, including floral paintings inspired by the great Van Gogh. Of course, these aren’t just pretty faces, as each packs a 5,000 mAh battery that’s good for another 19 hours of uptime, allowing iPhone owners to charge with confidence and in style.
Thin and lightweight for easier handling and portability
Available in a variety of colors and artistic designs
Supports both MagSafe and Qi wireless charging as well as wired USB-C
ESR Geo Wallet Stand (HaloLock)
It has become common these days to keep your most used cards on your smartphone, be it through a folio case or, more recently, MagSafe accessories that stick to the phone’s back. After all, you almost always have your phone with you all the time, so you’re unlikely to forget or lose those cards unless you lose your phone, in which case Apple’s My Find network makes locating the device less nerve-wracking. But what if it’s the wallet itself that gets lost without the phone? That’s the stressful problem that the ESR Geo Wallet Stand tries to resolve with its built-in Find My module that uses that same Apple technology to make locating the wallet a breeze. Even better, the handsome MagSafe wallet has a finger loop and a stand, keeping the phone secure in your hand or on a table all the time.
Built-in My Find module to locate it even if not attached to a phone
Multi-functional finger loop and stand for flexibility and convenience
Magnetic holding force of 1,500g that’s twice as strong as official Apple wallets
Nomad Goods 65W Slim Power Adapter
Battery packs and power banks are great for charging on the go, but you might easily hit their limitations unless you carry large and heavy bricks all the time. The faster charging method is still a dedicated charger, though you might find yourself scrambling and fumbling around in your bag to pull out the right one. Nomad Goods’ 65W Slim Power Adapter solves that problem by being the only charger you need, even if you have a MacBook. Its slim profile and small footprint make it easy to quickly drop the charger in your bag or even in your pocket, ready to get you charging the moment you reach a power outlet. It can even charge an M1 MacBook at 45W and an iPhone at 20W at the same time from the same brick, potentially winning you friends by not using up all the available outlets.
GaN technology offers faster, safer, and more efficient charging in a smaller size
Space-efficient compact design with foldable prongs
Can charge a single device at 65W or two devices simultaneously at 45W and 20W
Peak Design Mobile Tripod
There’s no shortage of ways available today for propping up a phone, whether it’s for watching videos or making video calls, but most of them either lock you to a single angle or a single height. The Peak Design Mobile Tripod, however, offers unprecedented flexibility in how you want to make your iPhone stand, whether using it as a kickstand or setting it up on an adjustable tripod. Best of all, this mobile tripod is so slim and its magnets are so strong that you can simply snap it onto the back of your phone and take it anywhere with you, ready for your next creative endeavor.
Works as a kickstand or tripod, with a ball tension system for adjusting the angle
Ultra-slim 0.5cm profile with an ultra-premium machined and anodized aluminum body
Works with MagSafe phones or any phone with a Peak Design case or Universal Adapter
Pitaka Sunset & Moonrise MagEZ Case 5 For iPhone 15 Series
Smartphone cases not only offer added protection, they also allow for personalization and self-expression through a variety of designs. Unfortunately, those advantages come at the price of added bulk to the phone, but Pitaka is proving that it doesn’t have to be the case, no pun intended. Claiming the title of the market’s lightest and thinnest iPhone 15 MagSafe case, the Sunset and Moonrise MagEZ Case 5 adds a distinctive visual and tactile character to the phone thanks to its aramid fiber weaving. Its new Amber Magnet Film glue-free coating allows the case to be extra thin while still providing the conveniences of MagSafe charging and accessories.
Distinctive woven design captures the colors of sunset and moonrise
Incredibly thin and light MagEZ Case 5 construction
MagSafe compatible with the need for additional accessories
ShiftCam Workflow Sling Bag
Mobile photography has become a rather serious industry of its own, with a plethora of accessories like lenses and tripods to assist hobbyists and pros alike. Unlike other types of photography, however, smartphone users seem to be lacking a bag dedicated to their craft. The ShiftCam Workflow Sling finally brings that missing piece to the puzzle, offering a product that was specifically designed to cater to mobile shutterbugs, with features like dedicated spaces for lenses and MagSafe phone mounts on the strap and on the bag itself. Of course, its simple yet sleek design, not to mention its premium materials, make it a great sling bag for any purpose and occasion as well.
Specifically designed to support mobile photographers’ workflows
Built-in MagSafe mounts provide hands-free video recording options
Made with premium and durable materials to support mobile lifestyles
Spigen iPhone 15 Slim Armor CS Case
Smartphone cases that let you carry two or three of your most important cards are nothing new, but most of the designs available today place these cards in a very conspicuous hump, sometimes even exposed for everyone to see. Having honed their skills at crafting a variety of case designs for different purposes, Spigen came out with an interesting alternative that hides those cards from view. Almost like revealing treasure behind a sliding secret door, the Spigen Slim Armor CS case for the iPhone 15 manages to hold your most frequently used cards in a hidden pocket without making the case thicker than it should be.
Sliding mechanism cleverly hides two cards until they need to be used
Slim profile with essential protection against scratches and drops
Simple, elegant two-tone design
TORRAS Ostand R iPhone Case with Rotating Ring Stand
Smartphone ring holders and stands have become a popular solution mostly due to their simplicity and small footprint, but they are hardly the most aesthetic nor practical option out there. They tend to stick out from the back of your phone even when you’re not using them, and they’re positions are more or less fixed the moment you slap them on. The TORRAS Ostand R iPhone case brings all the benefits of these rings with none of the drawbacks, thanks to an innovative design that folds the ring flat when not in use and rotates it to your desired position. Plus, you don’t lose compatibility with MagSafe chargers and accessories, even while enjoying the protection that the case offers.
World’s first 360-degree Rotating Ring Stand Case with MagSafe Compatibility
Ring folds flat and stays out of the way when not in use
Minimalist design matches the aesthetics of the iPhone inside the case
Twelve South Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger
MagSafe chargers are a dime a dozen these days, but most of them fall into two camps. On one side, you have single-device chargers that can be as simple as a small disk, and on the other side you have large charging pads that can charge two or three devices at once. Proving that you don’t have to be forced to pick either side, the Twelve South Butterfly MagSafe charger combines the versatility of a multi-device wireless charger with the simplicity and portability of a small disc. The foldable design lets you quickly slip it into your pocket when you need to jet, and its unfolded form takes up almost no room at all.
Gaming smartphones are quite the novelty in the mobile world, but despite their advertised or actual gaming chops, they often lack the necessary controls that would put them on par with consoles. Conversely, most of these gaming smartphones have designs that make them a little less appropriate for more formal environments with their flashy RGB lighting and distinctive motifs. A middle ground between these two extremes would be to slap on some controllers on “normal” but premium handsets, effective but also a little too mundane these days. This rather unusual phone case, however, tries to add a new flavor to mobile gaming by introducing not only an unusual controller design but also by making it exclusive to one of the weirdest and cutest smartphones in the market.
The Unihertz Jelly Star is obviously not your typical smartphone. With a size that’s no larger than a credit card, the tiny device is advertised as the world’s smallest Android 13 smartphone, a title no one will probably try to wrest away from it anyway. With a 3-inch screen, a transparent colored back, and some rather reasonable specs for its size, the Jelly Star is probably also the world’s cutest smartphone.
A Chinese accessory maker by the name of Sugar Cubes is taking that cuteness and turning it into something that even gamers will find alluring. Rather than simply attaching controllers, which would be gigantic compared to the Jelly Star, you will instead insert the tiny phone into a large, boxy case that transforms it into a rather unusual gaming handheld that is more reminiscent of the “Game & Watch” devices of old than any modern handheld console. Even the controls themselves are in non-standard locations, even though they provide most of the standard buttons, including a joystick.
There seem to be two designs for the Sugar Cube Jelly. One has the Unihertz Jelly Star lying horizontally and near the top, giving the device a more Game Boy-like appearance, though short in stature. The other has the phone standing vertically in the middle, flanked by two sets of controls, a design closer to the Nintendo Switch by some stretch of the imagination. Details on how the small phone will be inserted into the case are still slim, though it seems that the vertical design will simply have the Jelly Star slip into the case from the side, with one of the controllers swinging open like a flap.
The unconventional and eye-catching design of the Sugar Cube Jelly makes it perfect for branded merchandise, theming the colors and decals accordingly. That said, there’s still no word on when this product will actually hit the market, or if it will even be made available outside of China. Even then, the Unihertz Jelly Star isn’t exactly oozing with power, so while you might be able to comfortably run some retro games via emulation, forget about boasting your odd contraption while playing Genshin Impact.
Remember the days when you could swiftly type a long response on your phone in just seconds? Even if you didn’t own a BlackBerry, our amazing human brains managed to evolve to adapt to the esoteric T9 input, resulting in a flurry of thumbs hammering out text at mind-blowing speeds. Just like with pen and paper, there are benefits to having physical keys to type with, including muscle memory, accuracy, and sheer satisfaction. Those are the joys that this new case is trying to bring to the iPhone by snapping on a full yet tiny QWERTY keyboard that gives creators the power to turn text into stories, quickly and accurately.
Although the BlackBerry is now a footnote in history, there was a time when it was the de facto standard of productivity. It’s a bit ironic that its most iconic feature is all but a memory today when text is even more critical in mobile life. From notes to todos to captions to messages, we type plenty of text on our touchscreen smartphones, which painfully drives home the fact that these smooth, flat surfaces have terrible ergonomics and haptics for such an activity. There have been a few attempts at resurrecting the BlackBerry or at least bringing the physical QWERTY keyboard to smartphones, but Clicks is trying to differentiate itself by projecting a fun and creative character that’s more in line with today’s creators.
For one, the cases distance themselves from the drab and serious styles of business-minded BlackBerry clones by embracing colors and curves, whether it’s the yellow Bumblebee or even the gray London Sky. Perhaps to avoid any litigation like its forebears, Clicks adopts circular keys with some spacing in between, giving the keyboard a more whimsical appearance. Regardless of the design, the Clicks QWERTY case has the same mission as all other QWERTY cases before it, bringing a familiar sensation to upgrade the typing experience. Best of all, the keyboard no longer eats up half your screen, leaving room for more content.
Using the case itself is as simple as pie. You slide the iPhone in from the top, carefully align the Lightning or USB-C connector, and snap the top on. The case doesn’t have a battery of its own, which makes it lighter and cheaper, so it draws power from the iPhone itself. It does support pass-through charging so you don’t have to remove the case just to charge the iPhone. The one drawback of its simple design is that MagSafe accessories won’t stick to it, but you can still enjoy wireless charging on a flat horizontal surface.
The Clicks QWERTY keyboard case is compatible only with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models, though their availability won’t happen all at the same time. The $139 price tag is going to be debatable, especially for those who aren’t yet convinced of the advantages of having a physical keyboard at the cost of making a tall phone even taller. But for creators who find themselves always pecking at their phone’s screen, this quirky accessory is a done deal.
Although smartphone manufacturers design their phones to be durable and resilient, a lot of owners still fret over the safety of their expensive purchases. Phone cases are a dime a dozen, but while that might be good for variety and choice, it’s terrible for the planet. These accessories are almost all made from some form of plastic or another, and they get discarded left and right the moment they become discolored or damaged. Very few manufacturers pay close attention to this aspect because of how protective cases have to be made cheap and plenty. Fortunately, there is a number that does take that responsibility quite seriously, producing this revolutionary iPhone case that you can plant in the soil after it has reached its end of life to watch it grow into new life as plants and flowers.
There’s no rule that phone cases have to be made from plastic or plastic-like materials, they just happen to be cheap, durable, and long-lasting. They’re not immortal, of course, and once cases break or get discolored over time, they’re completely useless and have to be thrown out. That’s not even considering perfectly usable cases that are disposed of simply because they are no longer attractive or match the owner’s interests. Some manufacturers do have programs for recycling the plastics in these cases to make new cases, but iGreen Gadgets actually has an even more creative use for these discarded accessories.
For starters, the case is 100% compostable, so it will decay and dissolve into the earth when buried. The material is based on cornstarch, a very common biodegradable substance that’s also used in many plastic alternatives. Even the powder used to produce colors is also naturally based. Despite its completely biodegradable nature, the cases still provide the necessary protection your iPhone needs to survive accidents and avoid an early retirement in landfills.
The difference from other bioplastic cases is that each iGreen Cover case contains living seeds protected by a special water-soluble film inside the cover. Once the case has served its purpose, you simply have to plant it in a pot at a 30-degree angle with the inside of the cover facing up. You cover it with soil while leaving the upper half of the case exposed, water it, and expose it to sunlight, and within a few weeks, you will be able to witness your phone case transforming into plants.
Different case colors hold different kinds of seeds. Green will grow basil, yellow for daisies, and light blue for Forget-me-nots. The case itself, specifically the cornstarch, contains everything the seeds need to survive inside the case and then grow once planted. The plants that grow won’t be that practical. The flowers are mostly decorative, though basil can probably be used for cooking. Still, it’s a rather ingenious and creative way to reuse a product that’s often discarded mindlessly, turning a planet-killer into a plant-grower.
