Nov 17, 2014 5:19pm: Updated with Peel pictures and information.
There’s been a lot of talk around the internet recently about the Incipio Feather case for the iPhone 6. It’s lightweight, priced reasonably, and available in eight different colors. It’s a perfectly nice iPhone 6 case, but it’s certainly not the thinnest case around.
On Incipio’s site, the Feather case is listed as 1.524mm thick. That’s certainly nothing to scoff at, but if you’re looking for the absolute thinnest iPhone 6 cases, there are plenty of options that are a fraction of the Incipio Feather’s thickness.Unsurprisingly, the thinner the case gets, the less protection it offers from drops and dings. That’s just a fact of life considering the materials that case makers have to work with at consumer-friendly price points. None of these cases are going to save your phone from a substantial impact, but if you’re okay with that compromise in favor of sheer thinness, let’s take a look at the thinnest iPhone cases we’ve ever seen.
Luvvitt ultra slim case
- Thickness: 0.6mm
- Price: $12.95
- Colors: Clear
This clear case from Luvvitt is impressive all around. It looks incredibly slick, it’s reviewed extremely well on Amazon, and it’s nearly a millimeter thinner than the Incipio Feather case. It’s probably not going to help much in terms of major drops, but it will certainly help to prevent your phone from getting scratched up. If that’s what you’re in the market for, this is a superb option.
Spigen iPhone 6 Case Thin Fit
- Thickness: 0.4mm
- Price: $12. 99
- Colors: Clear, Mint, Grey, Champagne, Pink
This case from Spigen is even thinner. It’s less than half of a millimeter thick, so you’ll barely even notice that it’s there. Even better? Spigen offers a number of color variants as well as a clear version. If you want to add a little flair to your iPhone 6 without adding bulk, this is a perfect option for you. Don’t expect much in the protection department, though.
Peel Super Thin iPhone 6 case
- Thickness: 0.35mm
- Price: $24.99
- Colors: Black, Gold, White
At this point, the differences in thickness are relatively minor. This case from Peel is 0.05mm thinner than the Spigen case, but it’s also a little bit pricier. On the upside, the three colors on offer do look incredibly classy, and there isn’t any branding to be found. If you hate the idea of advertising for Apple every time you pull out your iPhone 6, this might be the case for you.
Oeago Ultra Thin Soft Shell Case
- Thickness: 0.3mm
- Price: $6.99
- Colors: Clear
Can it get any thinner? Apparently, the answer is “Yes.” This case from Oeago is supposedly only 0.3mm thick. It also comes with a screen protector, a stylus, a wrist band, and a cleaning cloth. The weird part? It’s only $7, and there aren’t any reviews on Amazon. I’m highly skeptical of the quality here, but if you’re on the hunt for the thinnest case possible, it just might be worth checking out. Personally? I’d stick with one of the other cases.
You can never be too thin or too rich
The difference between 1.5mm and 0.4mm is definitely noticeable, but the difference between 0.4mm and 0.3mm? Not so much. Once you’re in the hundredth-of-a-millimeter range, any difference in bulk is going to be negligible. When it comes down to picking your super-slim case, it’s all about personal preference. Don’t feel compelled to buy one case over the other because of a fraction of a millimeter.
Looking for something a bit more practical? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I’ve also picked out four of the best iPhone 6 cases for the gym, and four of the best iPhone 6 cases for travel. The cases featured in those posts are rugged and feature-rich, but most of them are astoundingly bulky. It all comes down to what’s more important for your lifestyle, and only you can decide which is the right case for your iPhone.
If you do decide to go with a super-slim case, I would recommend investing in AppleCare. It’s a bit pricey at $99, but it’s worth the peace of mind knowing that you’re covered if something bad happens to your shiny new phone. After all, a $79 service fee for a repair is a lot easier to swallow than spending between $649 and $849 out-of-pocket for an off-cycle replacement. Better safe than sorry, right?
Update – November 17, 2014: We have some better images of the incredibly thin and light Peel case. Just how thin you ask? Check this out:
That’s the Peel case with a camera’s lens cap under it. As you can see, the “Sony” logo is clearly legible, making it much easier to understand just how thin 0.35mm is. The case feels to be about the same thickness (maybe even a hair thinner) than the plastic that a standard blister pack is made from. Those (insanely annoying) packages protect their contents very well, but they do so by keeping the protect away from the area of impact. If there is direct contact between the point of impact and the phone, with only 0.35mm of plastic between the two, there could definitely be some damage. That said, it’ll be better than nothing and if you don’t drop your phone often and you are primarily concerned with scratches and resale value then the case will get the job done.
In case you didn’t notice the first time around, the Peel case has no branding at all. It’s simply a single layer plastic shell, with no adornments whatsoever.