So, having tried way too many cases (though not all 😈) this year, I’ve now settled on a current personal Top Five. (I have the silver 17 Pro. The experience on a Pro Max might differ).
- 1: I’ve struggled a bit with that, but I think I have to give it to the Mous Limitless. If it were a bit more rounded and comfortable overall, it would be the absolute GOAT for me. It‘s probably still beating every other case I have here when it comes to protectiveness.
- 3: Phone Rebel Gen 7: Just took it off after over a week on my phone. Still like it a lot but I‘m not trusting it to be as protective as No. 1 and 2 on this list somehow (though it probably is). It just feels almost minimalist and snaps on like a thin Aramid case (way easier to remove though). Also wish it was a bit more grippy. MagSafe is craaaazy strong (struggled to get it off my ESR car mount). Notes: The metal camera ring is already showing some slight wear even though I’m always handling the phone like a raw egg. And after removing it after over a week, there was some detritus under the slightly loose top part...
- 4: Dbrand Grip: Unique looking with the added option to personalise it. Tight fitting rigid case. One has to struggle a bit to get the phone in and out of it. Not sure how protective it is. It is a hard plastic shell without soft lining or additional shock absorbing material. Also: the integrated buttons with slits are a downside.
I usually only try to buy a couple cases per phone. One slimmer/easier handling daily driver for light/medium duty, and a more rugged case for travel.
The Spigen Rugged I bought as a stopgap for the new phone is a very nice case, considering its price, but I've been keeping an eye out for something hardier.
I like how the Grip basically ignores the camera bump and doesn't try to mimic a kiddie pool sitting on the surface of the phone. Way too make case designs erect a wall around the plateau and call it a day, which IMO is unimaginative and uninspired.
But if it's simply a plastic shell, then I'm going to lean toward the Mous, who also does actually seem to perform some engineering on their cases, or at least market them that way.
Dbrand's customization options are appealing, but one would think it would be easier to order an extra $20 piece of vinyl with each base case, without having do a kludge on their site by ordering a second, then omitting the case. There's also such a thing as trying
too hard with the marketing, but maybe I'm just the kind who likes to keep my lawn clear.
I want to try one so bad. As someone else mentioned; reminiscent of the Evutec days.
I've had a couple Evutec cases, and have handled the Pitaka
Summa (cough), or whatever they're calling it this month. Their cases are sold in retail stores in Asia, with display samples. That's exactly how I'd describe it.
Worth 80 bucks? TBF, I don't think most cases are remotely worth what they retail for, intrinsically, but that's what the market will bear, and rationality is often put aside when it comes to buying cases.
