One of the pioneers of the bezel-less trend, the Essential Phone impressed us when it landed in the summer. The edge-to-edge display is stunning, it performs well, and we like pure Android, but there were some teething troubles. Now that the price has dropped, and the camera has been updated, it’s a more tempting prospect than ever.
If you do buy one, then you’ll want to consider snagging one of the best Essential Phone cases to protect it. Sadly, that may be easier said than done, because case manufacturers haven’t exactly rushed to market with a bevy of great cases to choose from. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the case scene and there are now three options worth checking out.
Easily our top pick, the NGP Pure case from Incipio is a soft, flexible shell that stands up well to everyday knocks and tumbles. It’s made from a special polymer blend that offers real durability without adding too much bulk. You can expect reliable drop protection up to 3 feet, ideal for your typical hand height drop. It’s a perfect fit with generous cut-outs for easy camera and fingerprint sensor access on the back and port access on the bottom. Well-defined button covers and a protective lip around the screen complete this reliable case. You can get a clear variety or one with a darker smoke finish.
Purveyors of unfussy TPU cases for basic protection, Tudia manufactures an enormous number of cases every year. This one is a flexible shell with a special design to enhance your grip. There are a couple of mock carbon fiber panels on the back to spice up the look. You’ll find openings for all the essentials on your Essential Phone and decent tactile button covers. It’s slim, so drop protection is limited, but there is a raised lip to protect your gorgeous display. It comes in black, gray, or navy blue.
This Essential Phone case brings something a little different to the table. It’s still fashioned from TPU, but it has a crystal-clear back panel and a metallic finish to the bumper. You’ll also find metallic highlights around the accurate cut-outs for the camera and fingerprint sensor on the back. The fit is good, and it shows off the Essential Phone well, but we think drop protection is going to be pretty minimal. However, it does also have a protective raised lip around the screen to prevent it touching down on surfaces.
We’re not big fans of universal cases, but if you’re willing to settle for a wallet or pouch, then you can check out Mobile Fun for some options. You may also notice there’s an Olixar Ultra-Thin case in the works. Currently available for pre-order, it’s a slim, clear option for basic protection that costs just $7. We’ll keep you posted if we discover any more Essential Phone cases.
Are you tired of paying for streaming services you never watch just to get a phone plan feature you actually want? T-Mobile has good news for you! The carrier is rolling out new plans, called T-Mix, in early November to replace its old Experience lineup with a build-your-own perks system called Picks.
The benefits you choose vary from streaming and gaming to food delivery, AI, satellite service, and phone discounts. But if you are satisfied with your existing plan, you can keep it.
Merely days after the iPhone Duo hit the shelves, images of broken screens on the phone started popping up across social media. Until now, it’s been unclear what’s causing the line of defective pixels that appears vertically along the crease, as well as horizontally, on the phone’s inner display.
Apple has finally acknowledged the issue, which has shown up on iPhone Duo units owned by customers as well as demo units in stores. In a statement shared with Bloomberg, Apple says that not all iPhone Duo units are affected and that those that are tend to show the display fault early on. The company added that users who experience problems with their iPhone Duo display should contact AppleCare for a replacement.
Not long ago, Apple treated independent repair like an act of outright hostility. The Cupertino giant locked down parts with serial-number pairing, while repair tools remained firmly out of reach of anyone outside its authorized repair network. More importantly, the company waged a legal and lobbying battle against right-to-repair legislation.
I've covered enough of these fights over the years to know what a shift looks like. That's why what happened in October 2026 genuinely caught me off guard. The day the iPhone Duo went on sale, what may be the most mechanically complex iPhone to date, Apple pulled off a surprising about-face. It published teardown-style repair manuals for a handful of major components.