Just in case: Protection for your jet black iPhone
When I got my iPhone 7 Plus last year, its jet black finish — reminiscent of the black lacquer used on fine pianos — was so stunning that I used it without a case for a few weeks despite Apple’s clear warning of what might happen.
And just as Apple predicted, I began to see small scratches and even a tiny chip after a few weeks of carrying it around without a case. While some might consider
those micro-abrasions “patina,” I consider them an eyesore. Since then, I’ve been testing more than a dozen iPhone cases. Here are four of my faves.
Most combination wallet/iPhone cases don’t have enough room for all the stuff I need — five credit/ store/insurance cards, my driver’s license, plus a couple of business cards and some currency. Silk
Innovation’s Folio Wallet not only has enough space for all my stuff, its cover folds into an ingenious landscape-mode stand. While it’s not made of real leather, its fake stuff is nicer than most fake leather, and you just can’t beat its price — under $15 including a tempered glass screen protector.
The Contact Case by BodyGuardz has a rigid transparent back to better display your iPhone’s beauty and soft TPU bumpers injected with Unequal impact gel (made with Kevlar)—the same stuff professional athletes use for impact protection. It doesn’t add a lot of bulk, is easy to put on and remove, and provides better impact protection than many other slim cases.
Glass by SwitchEasy is made specifically for the jet-black iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. It’s the only case I’ve found that’s designed to allow a 1 mm gap between the iPhone and the glass back. That means less than 13 percent of the iPhone’s surface touches the case. And its rigid structure, of aluminium and glass, ensures that gap won’t be compromised. It’s also the best case I’ve found for displaying your jet black iPhone’s beauty.
Finally, Apple’s Leather iPhone case is a beautiful premium case available in seven colors (Saddle Brown is my favorite). It not only protects your iPhone, it also acquires a lovely patina, like a fine leather bag or jacket. And the Apple logo on its back is a subtle reminder to others that you’ve got class.