Let me tempt fate.
I have never lost a phone to dropping, breaking, or smashing.
By that I mean that I have never cracked the screen, scratched the back glass, or even dented the side of my phone before.
This isn't because I have never dropped my phone - it's because all my phones are wrapped in as much practical protection as I can find, as soon as I can.
I never use a phone until it has a suitable case, or screen protector.
This was especially important for my most recent upgrade, because I was upgrading from an iPhone 8 to iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a sail of a phone, clad in glass and Titanium, and more expensive than my laptop (almost more expensive than my desktop PC).
Case by case
So I had three criteria in finding a case to protect it:
- Sturdy yet light
- Magsafe compatible
- Can fit a screen protector snugly
Spigen generously sent me not one, but three cases to try, alongside a glass screen protector complete with a self-application kit.
They also sent over a bevy of accessories that fit with the Apple ecosystem, like a tablet case and Apple Watch band, and a 20w USB C charging plug to power everything.
Spigen is a mobile life brand accessory company, and focuses on covering all your mobile needs, regardless of what phone or device you end up using.
While I use an iPhone, their catalogue covers all the most popular mobile phones and accessories, such as the Samsung Galaxy and Pixel phone lines.
MagFit
The general overview of the cases is this: they are all MagSafe compatible, using Spigens MagFit system.
Image via Mothership
Unfortunately for me, but luckily for this article, there were a few days where I was without the cases.
This meant that I had to get something temporary to (literally) cover the phone.
But that case wasn’t MagSafe compatible, so it barely managed to cling on to my desk charger.
Spigen’s cases come with their own magnetic rings within the case and are able to attach all MagSafe compatible accessories, like wallets, stands, battery packs, and most importantly, chargers.
(Spigen also has cases that don’t use Magfit. I didn’t try them, but from what I understand, they’re lower profile and thinner, so if you value that over MagSafe, it's an available option.)
Action Button
Secondly, Spigen correctly assessed that the iPhone Pro’s new feature would be the Action Button, which replaces the notifications slider that used to be on iPhones.
As a result, all the cases do not have a cutout for the button, but an actual button cover that works very well.
Image via Mothership
When doing my research, I was surprised to find that not all competing cases do this.
Most cases I saw expected a slider and were still accompanied by a cutout that made the Action Button difficult to use.
Fit
Thirdly: Spigen’s cases, including the iPad case they generously sent over, have the appropriate sizing for most common USB C wires, including the 120w wire I sometimes use, which can be thicker than most.
Personally, I have been experiencing a consistent problem where I’d plug in my tablet, but it would not charge properly.
Why? Because the wire cut-out on the case is too small, and it does not get plugged in all the way.
Sometimes, I’d even have to leave home with a mere 20 per cent battery on my tablet.
Image via Mothership
Spigen’s cases simply fit, and that attention to detail gave me great confidence in other elements of their design.
Ultra Hybrid MagFit (Zero One)
Image via Mothership
This case was the first I was drawn to.
The Ultra Hybrid MagFit (Zero One) is a low profile case, which makes use of the design and shape of your phone.
I love low profile cases, and on a phone as large as the Pro Max, anything that reduces the heft helps.
It also has a very fetching “transparent” design, which overlays the internal parts of the iPhone, reminding you of the technological marvel that modern smartphones are.
Classic C1 MagFit (Bondi Blue)
The Classic C1 MagFit (Bondi Blue) is a more robust case, with a plastic case and colour scheme reminiscent of the iMac G3, the classic all-in-one that changed how people viewed home computing.
Image via Mothership
So if you ever wanted your phone to remind you of the good times you’ve had on your *checks calendar* 25-year-old PC, this is the one for you.
Now excuse me while I turn to dust because I actually do remember the G3.
Tough Armor MagFit (Black)
Ultimately, the case that I think I will settle on is the Tough Armor MagFit (Black).
Image via Mothership
My complex about not losing phones by dropping them means that I will be looking at a case with maximum protection, and this is clearly the most robust.
The Tough Armor does thicken out the profile of the phone, but if you’re okay with that, it comes with a reassuring heft and grip.
Image via Mothership
It also comes with a handy little fold out stand, so you can play a video on your phone and watch it comfortably without having to find a small pile of books to rest it against.
Screen protector
Spigen knows you probably need some help installing screen protectors, and they’ve done all they can to stop you from misaligning your protector and getting a bubble under it.
Look at all this stuff! They really want you to get it right. Image via Mothership
This includes a very helpful card with instructions and a video, that I watched on my 12.9” iPad Pro, installed in its own Spigen case (with pen holder) and folding screen cover/stand, because the phone was indisposed.
Image via Mothership
The protector comes with its own plastic shell alignment tool, and with clear instructions, both on video and in printed form.
Image via Mothership
It literally took me 2 minutes to install. I can’t elaborate more, because it just worked.
I’ve had situations where my screen protector was yeeted off my phone screen by a case that was a little too snug for the protector.
Clearly this wasn’t going to be an issue here, with the case fitting the protector perfectly.
Accessories
The last thing is the nifty accessories that Spigen sent along for me to play with.
A 20w charger is great, because MagSafe actually only charges at 15w.
So if you are looking to charge your iPhone as fast as possible, a wired charger is the way to go.
Image via Mothership
They also sent a MagFit mount, which has a spring loaded c-clamp on one end and a Magfit mount on the other.
Image via Mothership
It's meant to fit in a car, or on plane seats – basically a nifty travel companion.
I put it in my bag and really didn’t think much about it until I was at a company football game, and realised that it was really great to have around as you never really know when you can use it.
Image via Mothership
I also used the Apple Watch band they sent in that match, and it was comfortable throughout.
Image via Mothership
It’s a pity I wasn’t able to try out their range of Airpods cases as well, as the Spigen range included everything from low profile thin covers to rugged cases, perfect for protecting your wireless buds.
And ultimately that’s what these cases, protectors and accessories are all about.
You never know when you’ll need them but they sure are nice to have around.
As mentioned earlier, I’m not exceptionally careful with my phones.
In fact, I’ve already dropped my iPhone 15 Pro Max once this morning when it fell off my bed.
But a good case meant that I didn’t have to worry about anything at all.
A well-considered investment in protection at the start of your phone’s life will protect the value of your phone over time.
When you eventually move on from your phone, it will retain its value, meaning that the money you’ve spent in the present will pay off for sure in the future.
MagFit works with Android phones like the Samsung Galaxy and Pixel phones as well.
If you’re looking to get your hands on some excellent protection for your phones, now is a good time to visit Spigen’s website.
This sponsored article by Spigen inspired this writer to use his phone as a ninja star. Maybe not.
Top images via Mothership