These Are The Best Phone Cases That Survive 6-Meter Drops

Most of us come to phone cases for protecting our handset devices from bumps, scratches, or accidental drops, especially for the expensive ones like the iPhone XS, XR and Samsung Galaxy Note 9. So, the following is a drop test for phone cases conducted by Cnet reporters. Check it out and maybe you’ll find out the best case for your iPhone XR.

Challenge Accepted

The test took place at CES 2019, welcoming ten participants: i-Blason, Pelican, Zizo, Catalyst, Skech, OWC, Griffin, PureGear, Caseoology, Spigen. Notably, the first three won another drop test for iPhone X last year.

During the test, each brand brought a new iPhone XR and the toughest case it had and dropped them from different heights onto a solid surface covered in paving tiles. In case of a tie, there will be a special part involving using a ball bearing.

In addition, screen protectors are not allowed unless they are parts of the phone cases.

Round 1 – 1.8 meters

At 1.5 meters, the iPhone XR would crack without a case so 1.8 meters makes a good start.

The cases were dropped with the phone screen facing the tiles and the only thing that matters here is whether the phones survive after the drop or not. After each drop, testers will check for damages on cameras and cracks on the back.

The table below indicates the result, where you can also see the name and price of the cases. If a phone case gets a “Yes” under the Survive section, it passes. And in the first round, all ten participants survived with no scratches.

Round 2 – 3.0 meters

This time, we began using a scissor lift to get to the required height.

Once again, all the phone cases made it through, no damages.

Round 3 – 5.8 meters

Initially, the test team intended to go to 4.5 meters but due to limited time, they decided to go straight to the roof.

Surprisingly, all ten cases survived again even though some wasn’t designed for such a height.

With a ten-way tie, the team had to bring in the special round they had up their sleeves.

Bonus round – the ball bearing

Since the participants had no difficulties surviving the drop test, it’s time for the force test. This special round required a 1.13-kilogram steel ball and a plastic tubing standing by, which helped break the tie.

This time, the phone screens also faced down onto the tiles and the test team dropped the ball from 1.2 meters, down the tube, on the case back.

And here’s the result.

It’s worth noting that the first drop of the ball bearing cracked the paving tile. Then each additional drop cracked the tile a bit more. Also, this is neither a scientific test nor a real-world test.

With six cases remaining, the ball bearing was dropped from 4.8 meters, see the result for yourself.

Apparently, this time, all the strongest participants were damaged. And the victory went to the case with the least damage – the Zizo.

However, surviving a screen-down drop from almost 6 meters already made them all winners.