I didn’t think the ideal phone case existed, until I lived with this one

Phone cases are not the easiest product to buy. The sheer number of them available, in all different materials and styles, makes it very difficult to choose well.

Even splashing out on a manufacturer’s own case isn’t the safe haven it should be.

However, I want to tell you about what I think is one of the best cases you can get.

It’s made by Casetify, a brand that also signs some of the best collaborations in the business, then really delivers on the final product.

What makes Casetify special

I’ve used a Casetify Impact Case on my Apple iPhone for the last two years. Casetify often appeals to me because of its brilliant collaborations. These include everything from Star Wars to the Louvre Museum, and various K-pop artists.

The latest is with superstar singer Taeyeon, with an entire collection made to mark her 10th anniversary as a solo artist. Before going solo, she began her career in breakout K-pop girl group Girls’ Generation in 2007.

The Impact Case was the one I wanted. A core Casetify product, it’s the case I think works so well in a crowded market as it’s relatively simply designed, doesn’t dramatically increase bulk, yet remains quite lightweight, and is hugely customizable.

I got my hands on an Impact Case from the Taeyeon collection for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, as I wanted to cement my opinion that it’s one of the case world’s surefire bets.

What does it feel like?

The Impact Case strikes a good balance between toughness and comfort. I don’t like rugged-style cases, and I certainly don’t need one for my lifestyle, but if I’m going to use a case, I’d like it to add some protection in the event it’s dropped.

Casetify states the Impact Case has 2.5 meters of drop protection. Unlike lower cost cases, the Impact Case isn’t just a shell. Look inside the edge of the case and you’ll see a ribbed panel designed to absorb shock from a fall.

It’s not visible from the outside at all, and the case edge is made from a material that doesn’t make the sides incredibly stiff, so you can remove the case without a fight. The sides are also made from a soft plastic with exactly the right level of stickiness.

It’s not so sticky that it refuses to let go of the lining in my pocket, but sticky enough that I never feel like the phone will slip out of my hand. The buttons are all part of the case itself, yet stay easy to locate and press.

Quality cases

The Impact Case for the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max are essentially the same. There’s a MagSafe magnet inside, a stiff raised plastic section around the camera, and neat cutouts for all the ports.

The cutout around the S Pen has been sized correctly, so there’s no struggle to pop the stylus free. I chose the transparent versions of each case, so the color of each phone is visible.

I went for the Taeyeon Playlist case design, which is relatively subtle, but I also like the Taeyeon Photo Collage design. I received an Impact Case Ring Stand in this design, where the section around the camera flips out to work as a kickstand.

It was the first time trying one of these, and the quality is excellent. For example, the kickstand is made of metal and has a magnetic closure, meaning it’s very sturdy and isn’t just going to flop around.

Galaxy Z Flip case is a surprise

It was also my first time trying a case for a compact flip phone. I still own a Galaxy Z Flip 5, and the Casetify case for it is so well-designed. The two individual parts are connected next to the hinge by a flexible ribbon, allowing the phone to easily open and close.

I like the way the camera surround retains the familiar Casetify style, and how the case adds very little extra size or bulk.

For such an obviously protective case, it’s surprisingly minimalist, and even as someone who loves the compact folding phone’s dimensions, I’d quite happily use it.

Some may prefer the extra grip from the sides of the case too, especially for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, which are less comfortable to hold than the curvier Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Back to Taeyeon for a moment

For the last two years, I’ve used Casetify’s limited edition Impact Case made for the K-pop group Le Sserafim on my iPhone. It’s not made anymore, but I am certain the Taeyeon Playlist case will remain on my iPhone 17 Pro Max instead.

It does everything I want from a case without being too intrusive. The Playlist design is subtle and allows me to enjoy being part of the fandom without going over the top.

It’s what I mean about Casetify’s collaborations being so good. The brand balances its vibrant designs with simpler ones, allowing more people to enjoy them.

Taeyeon showed the collection on her Instagram page, and other artists have celebrated the designs, which makes the products more special to fans.

Even beyond the official collaborations, Casetify cases are a common sight in the world of K-pop, all due to the easily recognizable camera cutout design.

I may have talked about Taeyeon and other K-pop artists, but Casetify’s Co-Lab range is varied and interesting, so you don’t have to know who Taeyeon is to find a case for you, or you can customize its standard cases to your own tastes if you prefer.

Now’s a great time to get one

Casetify’s Impact Cases are on the expensive end of what a smartphone case usually costs. The Taeyeon Playlist case seen in our photos is $64, and the Taeyeon Photo Collage Galaxy Z Flip 5 case is $60.

Casetify makes these cases for a wide variety of Samsung and Apple phones.

However, with it being Black Friday when I write this, now is a great time to pick up a Casetify Impact Case.

Various designs have individual offers, and the discount available increases the more cases you buy. Get one $64 case, and you get 15% off to make it $54.40. Unfortunately, Casetify’s Co-Lab cases are not included in the offer.

I was already a fan of the Impact Case for the Apple iPhone, but having now looked at versions for other Android phones, I won’t hesitate to recommend it regardless of which phone you own.