Alright, so I’ve been on the hunt for a new phone case for my iPhone 16 Pro. It’s got to be tough, but also, you know, look good. And it absolutely needs to work with all my MagSafe stuff. I’ve gone through a few cases already, and let me tell you, it’s been a bit of a journey.
First, I started browsing around online. I hit up places like Target, Best Buy, and even some specialty stores. I noticed a bunch of different brands like Pelican, Smartish, and Anker, all claiming to have the perfect MagSafe case. Some were these super-thin, minimalist deals, while others looked like they could survive a drop from a building. Prices were all over the place, too, from like 29 bucks to 50 or more.
I decided to order a few different ones to try out. First up was this one from Smartish – the Gripmunk, they called it. It felt pretty good in my hand, not too bulky, and it had this microfiber lining inside, which seemed nice. It clicked onto my MagSafe charger okay, but the connection didn’t feel super strong, you know?
Next, I tried out a clear case from Anker. This one was advertised as “ultra-slim,” and it definitely was thin. Almost too thin, maybe? It looked cool, showing off the phone’s design, but I was a little worried about how well it would actually protect the thing. Plus, the MagSafe connection was about the same as the Smartish one – not bad, but not amazing either.
Then I saw this case from Pelican, the Protector. Now, Pelican, they’re known for making some seriously heavy-duty cases. This one looked pretty rugged, with these thick edges. It definitely felt like it could take a beating. And you know what? The MagSafe connection was noticeably stronger with this one. I guess those “upgraded 3rd generation magnet rings” they talked about actually make a difference.
- Smartish Gripmunk: Felt okay, microfiber lining, weak MagSafe connection.
- Anker Clear Case: Super thin, looked nice, okay MagSafe connection, questionable protection.
- Pelican Protector: Rugged, strong MagSafe connection, felt really secure.
My Choice
After trying out all three, I’ve decided to stick with the Pelican Protector for now. Yeah, it’s a bit bulkier than the others, but that strong MagSafe connection is a big deal for me. Plus, I just feel better knowing my phone is probably safe in this thing, even if I drop it. I might check out some other cases in the future, maybe one of those silicone ones from Apple, but for now, the Pelican is doing the job.