★★★★★
Your iPad is safe and not too bulky in the OtterBox Statement Series Studio. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The OtterBox Statement Series Studio case for iPad Pro or iPad Air finds a brilliant balance of protection and portability. It’s slim and relatively lightweight, but wraps completely around the tablet to save it from disaster. And there’s a built-in adjustable kickstand and Apple Pencil holder, too.
I tested it with my M4 iPad Pro, and haven’t found a wraparound folio case I like better. Here’s why:
Does a case cutout work best with the iPhone 16's new Camera Control? Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Every model in the iPhone 16 lineup comes with a Camera Control, the new camera button that’s pressure- and touch-sensitive. It offers an entirely new way to access and adjust your settings in the Camera app by clicking and swiping. But what kind of iPhone case works best with the Camera Control?
Most cases come with a cutout, exposing the Camera Control on the side of the iPhone. Other cases cover the new button completely, but feature a capacitive sensor that conducts your finger’s swipes through the case.
In evaluating which cases work best with the iPhone 16’s new Camera Control, I considered a few questions. Is it any harder using the Camera Control through a cutout? Do third-party iPhone 16 cases with a capacitive sensor work as well as Apple’s cases?
OtterBox's new iPhone cases look like leather but haven't been anywhere near a cow. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The just-released OtterBox cactus leather iPhone cases give buyers the option to wrap their handset in a plant-based material rather than traditional leather. In my testing, the cactus-based material looks and feels somewhat similar to cow leather but not identical.
There’s a lot to like about OtterBox Symmetry Series Cactus Leather iPhone cases that are now available starting Monday.
No cows were harmed making the new Symmetry Series Cactus Leather iPhone cases. Photo: OtterBox
OtterBox’s new iPhone cases, Apple Watch bands and MagSafe wallets might look and feel like they’re made of leather, but they’re not. They’re made from nopal cactus leaves.
The exclusive Desserto leather alternative used in OtterBox’s Symmetry Series Cactus Leather iPhone cases is “a luxury material that is durable, cruelty-free and sustainable,” the company said Tuesday in a press release.
There's plenty going on this "minimal" computer setup. Photo: [email protected]
People love their “minimal” computer setups, but everyone has a different idea of what that means. Today’s featured M1 MacBook Pro setup is on the spare side — not to mention beautifully photographed — but it actually has a lot going on.
From the powerful laptop and 4K display to the big-time external storage, backup power and extensive smart lighting, the setup’s more than a match for its owner’s photo editing work.
★★★★☆
The OtterBox OtterGrip protects your iPhone and adds a handle that doesn't impede wireless charging. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
OtterBox’s new OtterGrip Symmetry Series case protects your iPhone, plus it includes a pop-up handle. What sets it apart from the competition is the handle doesn’t interfere with MagSafe wireless charging.
I wrapped my own iPhone 14 Plus in an OtterGrip. I found a lot to like.
OtterGrip promises solid protection, MagSafe compatibility and a pop-up handle. Photo: OtterBox
OtterBox is known for its very protective iPhone cases, and its new OtterGrip Symmetry Series case adds a twist: a pop-up handle. Surprisingly, this doesn’t interfere with MagSafe wireless charging.
The design was good enough to win an Innovations Award at CES 2023 in January, and the case is now available to order.
OtterGrip promises solid protection, MagSafe compatibility and a pop-up handle. Photo: OtterBox
The newly announced OtterBox OtterGrip case offers drop protection for an iPhone, plus a built-in handle. And all this comes without interfering with MagSafe wireless charging.
Keep your Apple Watch juiced up for days with the travel-friendly power bank from OtterBox. Photo: OtterBox
OtterBox merged a power bank, an Apple Watch wireless charger and a stand for the wearable into a single product. Just place the accessory on it end and it becomes a stand that juices up the Watch.
In addition, OtterBox also released on Thursday a MagSafe iPhone power bank that comes with a clip-on stand plus a car vent mount. This is joined by a foldable power bank with a built-in iPhone stand and Apple Watch charger.
All three new accessories are now available from the Apple store.
An iPhone game controller can make a great gift. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
If you are overstraining your brain trying to come up with the right gift for an iPhone fan, consider a clip-on game controller. Mobile gamers can appreciate that physical buttons, sticks and triggers make play a lot more fun for many types of games.
I’ve reviewed all the top iPhone game controllers. Here are my recommendations.
OtterBox rolled out an array of new chargers to address different needs. Photo: OtterBox
OtterBox released its Premium Pro Power lineup of chargers Wednesday, including wall chargers, car chargers and MagSafe charging stands.
With the release, OtterBox steps further into the market for smaller charging accessories, including potent-but-compact gallium nitride (GaN) chargers.
It's a full MagSafe charger with 15W of power for your iPhone. Photo: OtterBox
OtterBox rolled out its new iPhone and Apple Watch charger Tuesday — the 2-in-1 Charging Station with MagSafe. Not just “MagSafe-compatible,” it offers your iPhone a full 15W charge and your Apple Watch a 5W charge.
And if you want to charge your AirPods case instead of your iPhone, you can.
The sleek wireless charging stand, featuring a white-and-silver combo colorway called “Future,” is sold by both OtterBox and Apple.
With double the MagSafe, this power bank from OtterBox both sends and receives power wirelessly. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The OtterBox Wireless Power Bank for MagSafe doubles down on wireless charging. It clings magnetically to your iPhone while charging it, and the external battery also magnetically attaches to MagSafe chargers to receive power. And it can do both at the same time. There are versions with 3,000mAh and 5,000 mAh of capacity.
I tested the MagSafe accessory with my iPhone 13, and I’m pleased with how well it works.
If you want your iPhone to always look brand-new — even after you’ve dropped it over and over again — you’ll need a rugged case that offers plenty of impact protection. And there are loads of tough iPhone cases to choose from.
We rounded up 10, starting at just $7.99, that are all built to be robust bodyguards for your iPhone.
No cables needed. The Wireless Power Bank for MagSafe gets and provides power wirelessly. Photo: Otterbox
The OtterBox Wireless Power Bank for MagSafe offers two-sided charging capability. It clings magnetically to an iPhone while charging it, and the external battery also magnetically attaches to MagSafe chargers to receive power. It’s that second feature that sets it part from rivals.
There are versions with 3,000mAh and 5,000mAh of capacity.
If you have an affected unit, you should stop using it immediately. Photo: OtterBox
OtterBox this week launched a replacement program for its unique OtterSpot batteries after confirming that some are susceptible to swelling.
Earlier versions of the battery, which are designed to stack so that multiple units can be charged simultaneously, will be swapped at no cost for those who contact OtterBox support.
Totallee's iPhone 13 cases are thin and light. Photo: Totallee
With many new iPhones 13s already shipped to customers and many more on the way, now’s the time for folks to find the right case to protect their new investment. Accessories makers have obliged with many, many choices, from minimalistic to stylish to super-tough.
We offer a top 10 list below, but not a ranked one, because that would be comparing apples and oranges, so to speak. Several different types of cases are included.
OtterBox iPhone 13 cases range from sleek to tough. Photo: OtterBox
Top-selling smartphone case brand Otterbox has rolled out a full line of cases for the new iPhone 13 series, including an assortment of fun, functional and protective models. The new Aneu series is sold by Apple and the Defender series is as tough as they come.
The OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip for MagSafe offers better gaming with the convenience of magnets. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip for MagSafe uses magnets to connect your iPhone to your Xbox controller. It’s quick but secure. And you can easily rotate between landscape and portrait orientation.
I played a bunch of different games over the weekend using this accessory. Here’s why I like it.
An iPhone X fell about 11,000 feet from a Diamond DA40 aircraft -- and survived! Photo: Diamond Aircraft
You know how technology publications do “drop tests” on gadgets like smartphones, just to see if the thing is likely to survive if and when you knock yours off the kitchen counter? Well, an iPhone X recently passed an accidental drop test from 11,000 feet. From an airplane.
OtterBox Gaming Carry Case provides solid protection for your Xbox controller. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Slip your Xbox controller into the OtterBox Gaming Carry Case to protect it when gaming on the go. There’s a built-in phone stand so you can play anywhere, and the case makes room for OtterBox’s new phone mount.
I’ve used this Xbox controller case for several weeks. Here’s why I like it.
Securely mount your iPhone on an Xbox controller with the OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip. Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Playing fast-moving games on a touchscreen is often frustrating. And while iOS supports external game controllers, combining one with an iPhone can be cumbersome. But not with the OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip. It attaches an iPhone to an Xbox controller in a surprisingly usable setup.
I did some gaming with the phone mount to see how it stands up to real-world use. Spoiler: it performed far better than the many cheap alternatives.
Cheery people use the OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip and the Gaming Carry Case. Photo: OtterBox
OtterBox, known for rugged phone cases, branched out to the gaming market. Its newly announced Mobile Gaming Clip attaches a smartphone to an Xbox Wireless Controller.
The company also unveiled the Otterbox Easy Grip Controller Shell, which brings extra protection to an Xbox controller. And more gaming accessories, too. All at CES 2021.