One of the problems with the ultra-svelte iPhone 6 Plus was the risk of it bending. To fix this, Apple reworked the aluminum body of the iPhone 6S Plus, outfitting it with its own custom alloy to make it tougher. It also added the toughened glass from the Apple Watch Sport, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a rugged device. If you bump or drop this phone, it will likely result in scratches, scuffs, dents, or cracks. The smart move is to snag a proper case or cover. Here are a few of our favorites, from the likes of Carved, Seidio, and a host of other big-name and lesser-known companies.
With a wide range of different designs engraved onto natural wood, Carved is a great place to find something stylish with real personality. The company’s cases make use of flexible black plastic outfitted with thin button covers, good-sized port openings, and textured sides that really add grip. The wooden back panel is inlaid, and you can choose from a wide selection of plain finishes or those adorned with eye-catching artistic designs.
Even though the iPhone 6S Plus is now a fairly old phone, Tech21 still offers a range of stylish and protective cases for the Apple device. Regardless of which one you opt for, they tend to belong more to the slimline category of cases, fitting snugly to the iPhone’s frame and offering precisely shaped cutouts. However, while they are fairly discreet and comfortable, they’re all made with highly durable materials, capable of withstanding shocks and falls. While prices usually start from $40, the last time we visited their iPhone 6S Plus page they had a sale on, with some cases going for as little as $10.
Here’s a pretty iPhone 6S Plus case that adds grip and protection to your phone. The inner layer is made of malleable TPU and is transparent on the back, so you can still see that all-important Apple logo. On top of that, there’s a polycarbonate bumper around the edge of the iPhone. The button covers are tactile and the cut-outs are fairly roomy, so the case shouldn’t interfere with everyday use of your phone.
If you want solid drop protection, then you’ll be glad that Seidio has gone for a tried-and-true combination of shock-absorbing TPU and hard polycarbonate. All the openings you need are correct and the button covers work well. There’s a cut-out for the Apple logo on the back, along with a built-in kickstand that’s handy for watching movies on your 6S Plus. Many users will also appreciate the bundled felt-lined holster, which comes with an adjustable belt clip.
If you like the plush look and feel of genuine leather, then the French case manufacturer Noreve should be on your radar. This one flips open vertically and includes cut-outs for the camera, ports, buttons, and speakers. The padded leather comes in your choice of finishes and colors. You’ll also find an attractive embossed lining inside, and the snug fit will hold your iPhone 6S Plus safe and secure. The closure just slots into place without any snap mechanism or magnets.
RhinoShield ‘s Bumper Cases are well worth checking out. They look like fairly typical slim cases that blend a flexible inner layer with a hard-shell outer layer, but RhinoShield doesn’t do anything by half. The Bumper Case can actually handle tumbles from up to 11 feet, even though it’s less than 2mm thick. The fit is perfect, the button covers work well, and the openings are accurate, though you might struggle with some third-party headphone jacks.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a nice wooden case. Cover-Up starts with a standard, protective, black, plastic shell case with a full range of generous openings for buttons, ports, and camera, and then adds a wooden panel on the back. You can choose everything from mahogany to cedar. The cases are minimal, so we wouldn’t expect serious drop protection from them, but they’ll deal with basic bumps and they look and feel great. Price start from $25.
LuMee’s cases are Kim Kardashian approved, which is more than enough motivation for selfie snappers who want to be as hot on Instagram as Kim. The case features LED lighting on the front and on both sides of the case, which provides perfect lighting for every selfie you take — no matter how dark the room is. LuMee also built in a Dimmer Switch to control the amount of light you get, and a simple on/off button on the back controls the light. The case touts a rechargeable battery, but you shouldn’t have to juice it up too often. Beyond the obvious allure of achieving the perfect selfie, LuMee offers protection from drops with an impact-resistant design and a raised lip on the front.
If you’re looking for a simple, fun, personalized case, look no further than Redbubble. The company offers a host of options for its thin, lightweight cases. The case itself isn’t the strongest you’ll find on the market, but it offers basic protection from scratches and minor drops. The real draw here is Redbubble’s endless catalogue of designs, which include geometric owls, quotations, psychedelic images, watercolor inspired lilies, and much more. Ranging in price from $22 to $35 or so, these minimal cases won’t break the bank, either.
Otterbox cases can be unwieldy, but that’s not the case with the Symmetry series. These cases are slimmer than your average Otterbox, while the particular model here features a discreet transparent color scheme. The buttons are covered, the front features a raised lip, and the case is Otterbox certified for drop protection. The company’s testing procedure is rigorous, and the case survived more than 24 tests and nearly 238 hours of testing to make the grade. Add to that the slim profile, and you’ve got a real winner.
If you prefer a slim, lightweight case, then the NGP is for you. It’s made from a malleable, shock-absorbing polymer that’s very durable, comfortable to hold, easy to grip, and translucent. You can pick it up in a wide variety of different colors. The button covers are well-defined, making them easy to find without looking, and there are accurate cut-outs for the camera, side switch, and ports. There’s also a slight lip around the screen to safeguard it.
You can rest assured that your iPhone 6S Plus will survive an average fall if it’s wearing a Ballistic case. This multi-layered case can handle drops of up to 6 feet, thanks to those heavily reinforced corners. It has big, easy-to-press button covers, openings for the camera, ports, and side switch, and a raised lip to prevent the screen from coming into contact with the ground. There isn’t much in the way of detail, just a Ballistic logo on the right spine.
If you want solid, military drop test standard 810G-516.6 coverage for your 6S Plus, then this case from Urban Armor Gear will deliver it. The look is industrial, and it does add some bulk, but it’s also very light and practical. The black rubber reinforcements and pads absorb impact shock and provide grip to stop it slipping around on surfaces or out of your hand. The openings are accurate, the oversized button covers are easy to press, and there’s a good protective lip on the front to safeguard the screen. You can pick this up in various colors, including a clear option with a hexagonal design.
This is a nice, minimalist case from Spigen that combines a malleable TPU bumper in various colors, with a clear, hard polycarbonate back panel. It’s a slim case with a simple design. The rounded bumper keeps the screen and back panel from touching surfaces and has cut-outs for port access. The buttons are marked, but, for most of the color options, there’s no tactile button cover there, you just press the malleable bumper in that spot. Because the markings are engraved, you can still feel your way to the volume or power without looking, and it allows Spigen to keep the bumper flush all the way round, which does look quite good. Despite the minimalist look, this case does score military drop-test standard accreditation at 810G-516.6, which means it should be fine in a typical fall.
Speck has a healthy variety of cases to choose from, but the CandyShell is most definitely one of its offerings that features the highest amount of protection. While the case is rather slim, it boasts military-grade drop-tested certification. The case is made with three layers blended into a single snap-on. The unique radial design inside dissipates shock from falls and bumps. The button covers work well, there’s a bezel around the screen to prevent it from coming into contact with any surface, and the openings are accurate. It fits naturally in the hand, and it’s available in a huge variety of pleasing color combinations. If you’re a person who is constantly dropping their phone, this case is going to be your hero.
$19 FROM AMAZON$33 FROM WALMART
If you like the leather look, but you want something that’s not real leather, then check out Moshi’s new Napa range. This case has a premium vegan leather backing finished in a rich burgundy red, caramel beige, midnight blue, or onyx black. The case itself is protective, with a shock-absorbent core and a tough polycarbonate shell around it. The cut-outs are accurate and cover the ports, camera, and the Apple logo on the back. There are also metallic button covers. Overall, this case feels stylish and well made.
Simon Hill is an experienced technology journalist and editor who loves all things tech. He is currently the Associate Mobile Editor at Digital Trends. He has spent more than a decade writing about smartphones, wearables, tablets, software, computing, videogames, and robots all over the internet for Tech Radar, Android Authority, USA Today, VentureBeat, Deal News, and many other places. His work has also appeared on Yahoo! Tech, CNN, Fox News, Lifehacker, and Christian Science Monitor. He also spent several years working in the games industry as a game designer and producer. He lives in Scotland with his wife and two kids.
Simon Chandler is a journalist based in London, UK. He covers technology and finance, contributing to such titles as Digital Trends, Forbes, Business Insider, InsideBitcoins, Cryptonews.com, and CryptoVantage. He has also contributed to Wired, TechCrunch, TechRadar, the Daily Dot, the Verge, Cointelegraph, CCN.com, the New Internationalist, Bandcamp, the Sun, and numerous others.
He specializes in mobile technology for Digital Trends, covering smartphones, tablets, wearables, and games. Beyond consumer gadgets, his main interest is in how tech is changing the way we live and who we are, for better and for worse.
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