Tech
The 23 Best iPhone 17 Cases and Accessories Out of More Than 100 (2026)
A 45-Watt Charger
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Anker
Nano 45W With USB-C Cable
Did you know your new iPhone can charge faster than ever? With a 40-watt charging adapter, you can get up to 50 percent in just 20 minutes. Your old charger will still be fine, but if you want the fastest speeds, I like this simple, no-frills charger from Anker. At 45W, it covers your bases and can even juice up a laptop like a MacBook Air. The prongs fold up, making it nice for travel, too.
I tested it with the iPhone 17 Pro and confirmed that the phone was receiving 35 watts when it was close to zero percent (the iPhone 17 Pro accepts up to 36 watts), which is great. My fast-charge speeds beat Apple’s claims, though. The device went from 7 to 83 percent in 30 minutes. Wowza. Better yet, Anker includes a 6-foot USB-C to USB-C cable. —Julian Chokkattu
Other Screen Protectors We’ve Tested
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Spigen AluminaCore Tempered Glass Screen Protector for $28: Spigen’s Glas.tR EZ Fit screen protector has all the necessary cleaning tools to wipe down the display before installation, and its application tool is very similar to Smartish and Dbrand, though there’s no pull tab. You remove the backing from the protector, place the tool over the iPhone, then press down on the other side. It creates more air bubbles that you have to deal with, but it’s manageable. It’s super affordable, and you get two in the box, though the edges are a tad sharp.
Caudaube CrystalShield Elite AR for $35: Caudaube’s screen protector is a very close second to our top Dbrand pick. The installation is nearly identical, and the company includes the tools you need to clean the phone’s screen. The tempered aluminosilicate glass has a very soft and smooth feel to it, with especially curvy edges that don’t feel sharp. It also extends all the way around, close to the edges, further than many other screen protectors. It’s a shame you only get one in the box.
Nomad ProShield Glass for $39: Here’s another aluminosilicate screen protector made by Corning, the company that makes the glass on most smartphones. Instead of a pull-tab, you put the phone in the application tool, then close the tool like a book and push down as glass sticks to glass. It worked surprisingly well, with just a few air bubbles. We still feel like the edges of the protector are a little sharper than we’d like, compared to the Dbrand and Smartish. It also only comes with one.
ESR Armorite Screen Protector and Privacy Protector for $22: This pack is a better value than Smartish’s screen protectors, because you get three tempered glass sheets instead of two. All the necessary equipment is here, from an application tool to wet wipes. While it uses a pull-tab, we found Smartish’s and Dbrand’s systems easier to use overall. We also tried ESR’s Privacy Protector, which effectively blocked the screen when viewed from the left or right. We didn’t see a major impact on sharpness or color accuracy. We tested ESR’s Armorite Pro with tempered glass made by Corning, the company that makes most of the glass found on smartphones. The edge feels a tiny bit sharp, but it was otherwise easy to apply and looks great.
Astropad Fresh Coat Anti-Reflective Screen Protector for $30: Apple already added an anti-reflective coating to all of the new iPhones, but this Astropad screen protector takes it even further. Installation was easy with the pull-tab application system, though we got far more air bubbles with it than with any of the other pull-tab installations. It actually does work and cuts glare. We compared it with another iPhone without a screen protector and noticed glare was less pronounced with the Astropad. There’s no real loss in color accuracy or sharpness. We compared photos on the two phones, and they looked virtually identical. We haven’t found much reason to complain about glare on the iPhone 17 screen, but if something like that has bothered you before, the Fresh Coat might be up your alley.
Other Great Cases
We’ve tested more than 100 cases for the iPhone 17 lineup. Not all of them deserve a top spot above, but many are still great and come in fun designs and styles. Check ’em out.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Bitmo Lab Gamebaby Case for $40: “This is freaking awesome,” are the first words we said once we got the Gamebaby set up and working with the Delta retro game emulator. This is a phone case styled like a Nintendo Game Boy, but you can pop off the bottom piece and put it over your phone screen to emulate the original portable gaming console, physical buttons and all, while you emulate old games (assuming you’re somewhat versed on how to do that legally). The buttons basically have capacitive sensors on the underside that tap the screen, corresponding with the virtual buttons. The only issue we had was that my down button on the D-pad didn’t align properly, so we had to shift the whole pad slightly lower for it to work. That’s not great, but it didn’t stop us from taking a 30-minute break to play Pokémon Crystal. As a case, it’s quite plasticky and slippery, but the buttons are clicky, if a bit rattly. For $40, we don’t mind; it’s super fun.
Spigen Classic LS Case for $40: This retro-inspired case makes your iPhone look like an old Macintosh computer. It completely covers the camera plateau, and there’s also a lanyard strap hole. It’s not the grippiest, but it has some bulk on the edges and corners, which makes it a bit easier to hold. If you’re a longtime Apple fan, this case can lend your phone a unique look while still offering protection. It’s only available for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Pela Case With MagSafe for $75: We love the rubbery texture of Pela’s cases, and they’re sustainably made in Canada from a nontoxic, plant-based biopolymer by this Certified B Corp. Pela also has dozens and dozens of gorgeous designs to choose from, but we really like this crocodile pattern. We don’t think it’s the most durable-feeling case—the edges could be a little more raised over the display—and annoyingly, the buttons are quite stiff (particularly the Action Button). At least Pela now includes MagSafe connectivity, though you have to check off “With MagSafe” when ordering to ensure the magnetic strip is included in the case. We’ve attached various magnetic accessories to it without issue.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
OpenCase for $56: OpenCase is a rare accessory maker trying something different. Instead of adding a MagSafe ring inside the case, there’s a big cutout on the back. Traditionally, adding magnetic accessories means a bulkier phone, but with a cutout design, you can reduce the overall thickness. The company makes a few accessories that perfectly slot into the design, like a wallet, grip, and even a filler plate for when you aren’t using a MagSafe accessory. The case itself is quite nice, with a leatherette finish that feels soft, very clicky metal buttons, and a sapphire crystal button for Camera Control. We just wish it came in some fun colors. But the main problem? We tested it with several magnetic accessories, and while we think most will fit perfectly into the cutout area, there are a few we weren’t able to use. For example, this PopSockets battery grip wouldn’t stay attached because it’s larger than the cutout. That’s something to keep in mind if you like the idea of the open case.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Bellroy Cases for $55+: We have tried three of Bellroy’s cases for the iPhone 17 range: the Venture, 3 Card, and the Innovera Edition. The Venture is our favorite of the lot. It feels rugged and durable, though the material feels very slippery (probably why it comes with a built-in wrist strap. The 3 Card phone case is very bulky, but at least it lives up to its name—it can fit three cards! However, the design disables any MagSafe connectivity and wireless charging, so that’s a no-go. The Innovera Edition is the company’s leather-alternative material made from a bio-based polymer and postconsumer recycled nylon. It has a nice texture and looks clean, with clicky buttons and decently raised edges around the display and cameras. None of these particularly blew us away, but they’re worth considering if you like the look.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Bluebonnet Leather Cases for $79+: We think Bluebonnet’s best case is its no-frills Minimalist Full-Grain Leather case; there is no branding on the exterior, if you want the clean look. The Camera Control button is a nice new addition, and the other metal buttons are clicky. However, I don’t like the company’s wallet cases that much. The Wallet Case blocks wireless charging and MagSafe for an integrated card storage solution, but you can only fit two cards, and I wish there was a better way to pry them out. The Executive Wallet Case Folio can fit more cards (I was able to insert two cards into each of the two slots), and there’s a generous cash pocket. However, once you have items in there, the top piece becomes so bulky that the folio doesn’t close properly. (It’s clearly designed just to store two cards and maybe a couple of bills.) I think Nomad’s Leather folio above is the better option.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Aohi Future MagArmor Pro Case for $47+: Aohi claims its case can protect your iPhone from heights up to 16 feet. Why are you that high? No idea. But this confidence comes from a reinforced aluminum-alloy camera frame, raised edges, and a non-Newtonian fluid P4U polymer that hardens on impact and reverts to being soft afterward. Unfortunately, it’s very hard for us to vet these claims and test this extreme drop protection, so you’ll have to take the company’s word for it. Frankly, at the end of the day, we are just not amazed by the case design. It looks fine? The buttons are clicky, and the magnets are quite strong.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Aulumu A17 Cases for $40+: Aulumu’s A17 cases come in several different types, like aramid fiber or a frosted clear, and the designs are techy and fun. (Does it really need to say, “Explore Urban Tech & Future Aesthetic” on the back, though?) It’s a pretty thick case, but the camera protection is excellent, the edges around the display are raised, and the buttons are clicky. However, the buttons are a little rattly, even when the phone is in the case, which is odd. The main claim to fame here is the company’s cooling tech, with passive cooling fins to vent heat and a thermal silicone gel on the inside. After running Genshin Impact for a bit, we did see a drop in temperature of roughly 1 degree. It’s small, but not nothing. If you’re a heavy gamer, this may be helpful.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Society6 Colorful Offset Checkers Case for $45: Society6 is a great place to shop for cases with fun designs, and there are tons to choose from. The company offers MagSafe cases, so make sure you choose that option when ordering. We tested the version with the dual-layer shield, which has a soft silicone liner on the inside and a hardshell exterior. The construction doesn’t feel amazing—we noticed the silicone shell sticks out a bit from the hardshell, but we were able to push it back into place. It should cover your bases, though it is specifically for anyone who prioritizes design first.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Freitag F385 Circ-Case for $18: We adore Freitag’s designs for its bags and other accessories. The company reuses truck tarps for these products, giving new life to something that otherwise would have been sent to the landfill. The designs are bright and bold! The case is quite dull on its own, made from recycled ski boots. The buttons are clicky, edges are raised, but there’s no MagSafe. However, it’s designed to be used with the company’s wallets—the wallet slides into place. We can fit about two cards in there, and you use the strap to pull the cards out, which is pretty ingenious. Like most wallet cases, this is only for folks willing to forgo MagSafe and wireless charging. It’d be great if Freitag made a MagSafe version of the wallet, though!
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
PopSockets MagSafe Cases for $40: PopSockets is known for its grips, but this is just a standard-fare case, albeit with tons of fun designs to choose from. Pictured is the Mirror Abalone, which is shiny and gorgeous, with magnets inside for solid MagSafe connectivity. It’s a fairly slim case with grippy edges and a lip around the display and camera; frankly, we don’t have much to complain about here. Oh, wait, we wish the Camera Control were a button instead of a cutout.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
OhSnap! Snap Case for $50: OhSnap! is known for its grips, but everyone has to make a case, too, it seems. The soft-touch plastic is nice, but it’s a little slippery. Once again, the aluminum buttons are rattly like some other cases we’ve tried, though at least you get extra-strength magnets baked in. We can confirm that it required a bit more effort to pull off magnetic accessories from this case than from other cases. OhSnap’s calling card, however, is its Snap Grip 5, which is a MagSafe grip that has magnets on the exterior, allowing you to attach magnetic accessories on top or even wirelessly charge the phone without having to remove the grip. It works!
OtterBox Defender Series Pro XT Case for $80: We’re so used to OtterBox’s Defender series having solid colors that the clear design here threw us off. We don’t hate it, but it does show smudges easily. (There are other styles you can choose from.) We initially advised against this case because the Camera Control button was way too responsive. Our grip would constantly activate the camera, which was annoying. That seemed to be a real problem with the case, so OtterBox sent a newer version, and we’re happy to report that this is no longer an issue. It feels just as protective thanks to its dual-layer design (a polycarbonate frame sits on top and a rubber slipcover rests underneath), and the USB-C charging port is protected. Just know that the case makes the phone considerably wider.
Nomad Modern Leather Case for $55: Nomad’s leather cases look and feel great, and they’re paired with a well-built polycarbonate frame that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. There are three main case types to choose from: Modern, Traditional, and Rugged. All of them have clicky buttons, a dedicated glass button for the Camera Control instead of a cutout, and MagSafe. The Modern Leather Case is our favorite of the bunch. It uses vegetable-tanned Horween leather, but the polycarbonate frame offers extra protection around the sides of the iPhone. The Traditional Leather Case ($85) is great if you want a pure leather case. There’s no polycarbonate frame, so it won’t be as protective, but the edges around the camera module and screen are slightly more raised, and it features the same anodized aluminum buttons. The Rugged Leather Case ($75) is like the Modern case, but more protective. It has a polycarbonate frame and also adds thermoplastic urethane bumpers at the corners for extra impact protection. The edges are raised even more here to keep the glass away from surfaces.
Woolnut Leather Case for $59: Woolnut’s case looks and feels great, and it was hard to choose between it and the Mujjo and Nomad options above. Ultimately, we just didn’t want “WOOLNUT” emblazoned on the back. Still, the full-grain Scandinavian leather feels exquisite, the aluminum buttons are responsive, and Camera Control is an actual capacitive button layered on top rather than a cutout. The edges are decently raised, and the thermoplastic urethane bumper gives it a bit more structure.
Wave MagSafe Case for $48: You can see the MagSafe ring’s outline on the back of this case, which makes it look a little cheap. The Action Button is also a bit mushy, the Camera Control button is a cutout here, and the case material is slippery. But it’s otherwise fine, if a bit dull (there are at least lots of colors to choose from). The main reason to buy this case, if you don’t mind those flaws, is that this is a biodegradable case made from wheat straw. If you’re environmentally conscious and don’t want just another plastic case, recycled or not, this is a great alternative. Every purchase you make also contributes to environmental charities, like Surfers Against Sewage and 1% for the Planet.
Casekoo Pearl Sparkle 360 Magic Stand Case for $43: It’s a bit bulky, but this sparkly, bright orange case from Casekoo (also available in tons of other designs) looks great. We love the bright, glossy TPU edges, and the sparkles on the clear back are a fun touch. It’s a nice match for the orange iPhone 17 Pro, though we didn’t have that model to test whether the color matches perfectly. There’s also a built-in kickstand with MagSafe, so you can attach magnetic accessories to the back, and it can even wirelessly charge through the ring. The kickstand has a satisfying clicking sound as you rotate it, and you can prop the iPhone up in landscape or portrait (or use it as a grip!). We prefer Zagg’s more subtle kickstand approach, but this is a loud-and-proud case worth considering.
Spigen Cases for $20+: We tried a few other Spigen cases. The Nano Pop has a fun color contrast and checks off all the boxes, though we found the rear material shows dust and smudges easily. The new Ultra Hybrid T case has stiff buttons, but is otherwise OK.
Twelve South Case for $50: It’s a little shocking just how bare and boring these cases are from Twelve South. We often quite enjoy Twelve South products, but these are a bit too dull for us. The silicone shell also attracts a lot of dust, though at least all the buttons are clicky, even the real button layered over Camera Control.
Burga Tough and Elite Cases for $55 and $90: We tried both the Elite and Tough cases from Burga. The main reason to buy either is that Burga has tons of designs to choose from. The cases are just OK, though. On the Elite, the buttons are a bit mushy, and Burga went with a cutout for the Camera Control button. It’s also very slippery, though at least there’s MagSafe support. On the Tough, the buttons are a little more responsive, but they stick out enough that they feel sharp as you run your fingers over the edges of the phone. The glossy plastic also feels a bit cheap.
Totallee Cases for $35: Totallee, known for its ultra-slim cases, has finally come up with a naming structure for the various models it makes. The Doberman is its most protective case, with a rubber bumper around the edges, though we didn’t find it that grippy. We like the translucent design, but it’s a shame the Camera Control button is a cutout on the case. The Spy case is a clear, solid case, yet it is still extremely thin. The buttons are clicky, though access to Camera Control is still a cutout. The Scarf is Totallee’s bread and butter. You can get it in multiple colors, but this is a shockingly paper-thin case that barely feels there. Don’t expect any serious protection from it. All of these cases have non-MagSafe versions if you don’t care for the magnetic connector. They’re all totally (heh) fine cases, but we prefer the ultra-slim picks above.
Native Union (Re)Classic Case for $60: We like the crocodile leather-like texture of this case, and the aluminum buttons are a nice touch, though they feel slightly stiff. Unlike the Active Case we like so much, the Camera Control button here is a cutout in the case. It’s a solid option, one made from recycled materials, but the Active Case is a better buy.
Alto Wood Case for $42+: We love a good wood case, but we have mixed feelings about Alto’s cases. You can get custom laser-carved prints, like from its Wildlife or Flora series; you can even add your own image. But these look a little tacky. Why hide that gorgeous wood? You can choose from a range of wood styles, from olive wood to cherry. We’d probably grab something from the company’s Burl & Exotic Series. The case itself is OK. The rubber bumper around the edges is grippy, but feels a little cheap. The power button is solid, and there’s a cutout for the Camera Control button, but the volume rocker feels a tiny bit mushy.
Beats Rugged Case for $79: This case is the opposite of the Beats Kickstand case listed in the avoid section below. Where that case was super slippery, this one offers a much better grip. The buttons are clicky, the display and cameras are protected, and it looks very pretty. It’s not the grippiest case, nor is it the most rugged, despite its name. We prefer the Camera Control button design on the Nomad Rugged Case, which has a thicker bumper. It’s available for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17e, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
BodyGuardz Performance Pro and Pulse Cases for $50+: BodyGuardz’s Pulse case is a fine option that comes in a fun matcha color and includes a wrist strap. The Camera Control button is nicely elevated. Look along the side edges, and you’ll see vents—these help disperse heat, along with the cooling gel on the inner lining. We’ve tried testing this in the past and haven’t noticed much of a difference in gaming performance on the phone. The directional speaker is something that does actually work. Basically, the case directs the audio from the rear speakers toward you instead of downward, and you can hear a marginal difference. The Performance Pro takes it to the max with larger vents, and it adds a kickstand. We just don’t like how the case feels when you hold it.
Burton Goods Heritage Leather Case for $60+: Burton Goods is from the creator of Pad & Quill, which shut down in 2023 due to bankruptcy. The company was known for its classy leather cases, and that has continued with the new brand. The Heritage will make you feel as if you’re sitting in a cozy armchair by a fireplace in an old English study. The full-grain leather feels supple (and smells great), and the stitching gives it even more character. There’s MagSafe baked in, a microfiber interior, and all the buttons are responsive. The edges are raised well around the display and Camera Plateau, too. You can pair it with the Heritage MagSafe Wallet Stand, which is a magnetic wallet with a kickstand. We were able to fit about three credit cards, though the top cover flap makes it a little hard to remove the cards.
Rhinoshield SolidX and Clear Cases for $38+: We have no qualms with either of these Rhinoshield cases. The SolidX is robust, thick, and protective, with clicky buttons and MagSafe. The Clear case has extremely clicky buttons that stick out quite a bit, and it feels very sturdy. There’s just not much else to them, other than the fact that the company uses a proprietary material called Mono. It’s 100 percent recycled and is essentially a single compound, making it easier to recycle.
OtterBox Symmetry Series Case for $60: OtterBox’s Symmetry series is its most fun lineup because there are usually several nifty designs to choose from. Case in point, look at this adorable cactus embroidered case! It’s a fun texture to have on the back of your phone, and it’s super cute. This version is actually made from cactus leather, but other Symmetry cases are standard plastic. The basic Symmetry cases are overpriced at $60, but the embroidered versions are worth considering. While these have MagSafe baked in, the embroidery does weaken the magnetic connection. It still charged my iPhone, but I wouldn’t trust it on a MagSafe car dock.
OtterBox Commuter Series Case for $50: OtterBox’s Commuter case is simple and inoffensive. You have a few muted colors to choose from, and the dual-layer design has a rubber slipcover surrounded by a harder plastic shell. I like the rubber edges as they help with grip, too. It checks off all the boxes—even the USB-C port is covered up—but it’s just not very exciting.
OtterBox Sole Series Case for $70: We actually really like the look and feel of this case. The ridged edges are grippy, and the netting-like fabric texture on the back is so satisfying to run the fingers over. It’s kind of like sandpaper, but in a good way. The cameras and display are protected, and the buttons are clicky. However, the included lanyard loop is confusing. It’s way too tiny to put on even the smallest wrists. We suspect you’re meant to affix it to a carabiner or backpack instead. If that’s your jam, you’ll like this. If not, the lanyard is removable, and you can buy another one designed for wrists.
Mous Super Thin Aramid Fibre Case for $70: Several companies now make aramid fiber ultrathin cases, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with most of them. We prefer the subtle texture of Pitaka’s case (see above), but Mous’s Super Thin is a close second, and it even comes in a clear option with MagSafe. I very much like the raised protection for the camera, though the Camera Control button is exposed, and there’s less protection on the top and bottom, unlike Pitaka’s case. As always, this sturdy case is extremely thin and won’t provide the best protection, especially for the screen, but it’ll cover the usual wear and tear. Pair it with a screen protector.
Thinborne Super Thin Aramid Fiber Case for $70: It’s super thin like the Pitaka and Mous aramid fiber cases, with baked-in MagSafe, but Pitaka’s designs are better. All of the buttons are exposed here, including the Camera Control. Thinborne includes a screen protector, but you have to freehand the installation as it doesn’t come with an application tool.
Zagg iPhone 17 Cases for $50+: We have tried all of Zagg’s cases, and they’re all solid, though we like the Sedona (see above) the most. Here are some thoughts on the lineup. The Crystal Palace Snap With Stand has the same great kickstand as the Sedona, as well as an actual button for Camera Control, but this case is clear. It’s a great way to show off your iPhone’s color, though it smudges easily. The Manhattan Snap ditches the kickstand and is silicone, but it attracts too much dust and lint; it is very soft, though. The Milan Snap has a fun iridescent color, and the Santa Cruz Snap With Stand has a striking, colorful bumper that’s grippy, but the Camera Control button is a cutout. The Luxe Snap might be my favorite of the lot in terms of design, with a fun texture on the back and grooved edges, but there’s no kickstand. Finally, the Rainier Case With Kickstand is the newest in Zagg’s lineup, and if you want robust protection, this one will satisfy. It’s a two-shell case with a hard and thick bumper, and seriously raised edges for maximum screen protection with extra-thick corners. Even the USB-C port is covered up. You get the same great kickstand, but the buttons are a bit mushy.
ESR Clear, Soft, and Tough Magnetic Case for $30: ESR has three versions of this case, each in a different material. The Soft employs soft-touch silicone and is quite nice, with clicky buttons and a dedicated Camera Control button. The Clear is, well, clear, and the Tough uses a hard plastic shell. None of them is particularly exciting, but what makes them unique is the built-in kickstand that surrounds the camera module. It’s a neat idea, but you can only prop these phones up in landscape orientation. Technically, you can put them upright in portrait mode, but the phone has to be upside down. Either way, the Zagg recommendation above is a much better kickstand case.
Smartish Gripzilla, Gripmunk, and Wallet Slayer Vol. 2 Cases for $20+: These cases are nice and affordable. The Gripzilla has textured edges that make for a nice grip, though it’s nowhere near as grippy as Dbrand’s Grip case (above). The Gripmunk has some ridges to help with grip, and the Wallet Slayer Vol. 2 lets you stuff several credit cards on the back. However, the wallet interferes with MagSafe and has no magnets inside, so it cuts you off from wireless charging. It also makes the case very thick. They’re all solid cases for the money, and you should shop directly from Smartish as it has some exclusive designs on its store.
Matter HT Snap Cases for $60: Formerly known as Atom Studios, these “Snap” cases aren’t actually cases. They’re just a backing you can magnetically stick to your phone to protect the rear glass. The company offers them in clear, wood-fiber, or agave materials. They all look nice and feel great, especially the Clear version for the iPhone Air. However, we don’t see the point of these. They don’t cover the edges at all, which is where you’ll most likely see scuffs and scratches after a drop. We’d much rather go for an ultrathin case that wraps the edges of a phone, or something like the Arc Pulse.
UAG Cases for $45+: We have tested the full suite of UAG’s cases, from the Plyo and the Monarch Pro to the Metropolis LT and Plasma XTE. If we had to pick one, it’d be the Pathfinder ($60). We love the bright yellow color and the bold design, but it works. It makes us feel tactical, like we’re about to scale a building and infiltrate it. The problem with all of UAG’s cases is that they’re expensive, and none of them feature a dedicated button for Camera Control; it’s all a cutout. (We’ve just come to really prefer having an actual button on the case!) We also like the UAG Dot ($45) and its fun translucent case.
Check Out These Crossbody Straps and Lanyards
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Apple’s Crossbody Strap is pricey, but there are so many fun colors to choose from, and you can also color-match them with your iPhone. It’s made from 100 percent recycled PET yarn, and the strap slides smoothly across your chest. Adjusting the strap is fairly easy with the stainless steel sliding mechanism. I (Julian) have a 6’4″ frame and was able to make it way too long for my body. (The max strap length is 82 inches.) It’s best paired with Apple’s official case as it has the connection points at the bottom, but you should be able to use it with cases that have lanyard holes.
Orbitkey Crossbody Strap for $35: I really did not think this strap could work. I was looking for a crossbody strap that attaches to your phone via dedicated loops on the case itself, rather than a card that sits inside your case, because those sometimes pull loose or come undone. Sadly, Orbitkey uses a card. A little reinforced loop pops out of the bottom of your phone case—you just clip a stainless steel ring that holds a 100-percent recycled polyester crossbody cord to it. I am a convert because the tab is pretty solid; I took my iPhone 17 camping with this cable so I wouldn’t accidentally leave it in the tent or on a picnic table in the rain, and it was secure and held up. The ends of the cord are also reinforced with metal tabs. It’s also cheaper than the dedicated Apple strap. So far, so good. —Adrienne So
Satechi OntheGo USB-C Lanyard Cable for $30: I love the thick cord of Satechi’s lanyard, and it’s big enough to comfortably wear as a crossbody. You can adjust it to be a very small loop, too. Satechi also includes two types of connectors, black and clear, so that you can use it with clear cases. It elevates the bottom slightly, but this didn’t pose any issues when I tried it with various cases. But the best part of this crossbody is that it pulls double duty. It’s a USB-C cable! Remove the tethered caps from each end of the cable, and now you can plug your phone into a USB-C adapter or device to transfer data (480 Mbps) or charge (60W max). —Julian Chokkattu
Avoid These Cases
Beats Kickstand Case: This case is available for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, but not the iPhone Air or iPhone 17e. We feel bad not recommending it because it’s adorable, especially in pink, and the kickstand is super creative. Instead of embedding a kickstand into the case, the included lanyard has a pill-shaped kickstand that pops out. Place it on one of the longer edges of the iPhone, and voila, kickstand! The problem is that it doesn’t work at all in portrait orientation, so it’s limited as a kickstand case. Also, the polycarbonate case is shockingly slippery. We don’t think we’ve ever used a case more slippery. Julian was so surprised that he showed his wife, and she immediately said, “Yeah, no, I don’t like that.” That’s probably why a lanyard is included.
Mujjo Full Leather Wallet Case: We like Mujjo’s leather cases, but we don’t really like the ones with a wallet sleeve embedded into the case itself. Firstly, the sleeve barely fits my card properly, let alone three, as the company claims. It’s also really hard to take the cards out. While Mujjo has built-in magnets in the case, the magnetic connection is fairly weak because the sleeve interrupts it. Not to mention the fact that you have to remove your cards to actually use MagSafe. It just seems counterintuitive. Just get a MagSafe wallet at that point.
Peak Design Gnar Case: Peak Design finally came out with a new case design for its SlimLink system, and unfortunately, we don’t like it. There are textured edges on the sides, but it isn’t too grippy. The rubbery back feels out of place and picks up dust easily. There’s a port cover, but it feels flimsy, and we worry about how it will hold up after a year of use. The case also adds significant height to the top and bottom edges of the phone, and we don’t really want a longer phone. The lip around the screen is also very slim, so much so that my screen protector rises above it. You can do better for this price.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Spigen Tough Armor Kickstand Case: Yes, it’s one of the cheapest kickstand cases around. But despite manufacturing this design for years, Spigen’s kickstand still feels so flimsy, and it only works in landscape orientation. We have no idea how it’s so hard to make a kickstand that does both. We’re also not a fan of how the case looks.
Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1: This is an odd case. The wallet sleeve on the back is really tight, and we had trouble stuffing two cards in. Taking them out isn’t easy either because they get stuck on the edge. Smartish also advertises a kickstand, but there is no kickstand on the case. Instead, you’re supposed to use your own credit card as the kickstand, which is just a little weird.
UAG Trooper Case: Cases are so good these days, which is why it’s annoying when there’s an obvious flaw in a design. UAG’s Trooper is a rugged, tough case that is very bulky. Yet instead of adding a button for Camera Control, the company kept a cutout. But when the edge is so thick, it’s genuinely hard to press this button, even if the back edge is sloped in. The volume rocker and Action Button are also hard to press.
OtterBox Defender Series Case: We can’t fault this OtterBox Defender for doing what it does best: Being exceedingly durable. It has a belt holster, rugged bumper covers, a few different colors, and a two-piece frame. We can fault it for its infuriating Action Button flap, though. One of the neatest features of newer iPhones is the Action Button, and this case turns said button from a convenient, customizable companion into an inaccessible, cumbersome feature that requires two hands to use. Absolutely not.
An emerging class of startups is pushing the boundaries of what machines can do in the physical world — retrofitting bulldozers to dig on their own, launching drones that beat police cars to 911 calls, outfitting retail workers with spatial computing badges, building robotic arms for spacecraft, and servicing satellites in orbit.
Those are the innovations represented by the finalists for Hardware/Robotics/Physical AI of the Year at the 2026 GeekWire Awards.
The finalists are: AIM, Augmodo, Brinc, Orbital Robotics, and Starfish Space.
Now in its 18th year, the GeekWire Awards is the premier event recognizing the top leaders, companies and breakthroughs in Pacific Northwest tech, bringing together hundreds of people to celebrate innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit. It takes place May 7 at the Showbox SoDo in Seattle.
Continue reading for information on the Hardware/Robotics/Physical AI of the Year finalists, who were chosen by a panel of independent judges from community nominations.
You can help pick the winner: Cast your ballot here or in the embedded form at the bottom. Voting runs through April 16.
AIM Intelligent Machines retrofits heavy earthmoving equipment such as bulldozers and excavators to operate autonomously, using sensors and an edge computing system to build real-time 3D maps of a machine’s surroundings and navigate without a human driver.
Originally focused on mining and construction, the company recently expanded into defense, winning $4.9 million in U.S. Air Force contracts to build and repair military bases and airfields.
The Seattle-area startup announced $50 million in funding in 2025 and was founded in 2021 by engineers with experience at Waymo, SpaceX, Google, Stripe, Tesla and Apple. CEO Adam Sadilek leads the company.
Augmodo makes wearable “Smartbadge” devices for retail store employees that use computer vision and 3D mapping to collect real-time inventory data as workers move through aisles, tracking empty shelves, overstocking and product availability. The approach is designed as a cheaper and more efficient alternative to robot scanners.
The Seattle startup, founded in 2023, raised $37.5 million in a Series A round on top of a previously announced $5.4 million seed round. CEO Ross Finman previously co-founded Escher Reality, which was acquired by Niantic Labs, and spent more than four years at the “Pokémon Go” maker. The company recently hired a new CTO from Microsoft HoloLens and Amazon Alexa and has grown its team nearly fivefold.
Brinc builds drones for police, fire and emergency response agencies, recently unveiling Guardian, the world’s first Starlink-connected drone. Guardian can auto-launch on a 911 call, fly up to eight miles at 60 mph for more than an hour, and deliver payloads such as defibrillators and emergency medication.
The company’s products are used by more than 900 public safety agencies and more than 20% of SWAT teams in the U.S.
Founded in 2019 by CEO Blake Resnick, the Seattle-based company raised $75 million in a round that included a strategic alliance with Motorola Solutions, bringing total funding to $157.2 million. The company now employs 160 people and is moving to a new 35,000-square-foot headquarters and factory in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood.
Orbital Robotics is developing AI-powered robotic arms for spacecraft, tackling the challenge of manipulating objects in orbit where every movement of an arm causes the spacecraft itself to move in response.
The Puyallup, Wash.-based startup is also working to assemble a consortium to save NASA’s aging Hubble Space Telescope by building a robotic spacecraft to boost it to a more stable orbit.
Founded in late 2024, the company has raised about $310,000 and is working with a stealthy space venture on an orbital rendezvous project for the U.S. Space Force. Co-founders Aaron Borger, Doug Kohl, Riley Mark and Sohil Pokharna are former Blue Origin engineers.
Starfish Space builds satellite servicing spacecraft designed to autonomously inspect, dock with and reposition satellites in orbit — including satellites that weren’t originally built for on-orbit servicing. Its Otter spacecraft can extend satellite lifespans by boosting them to higher orbits or move them to lower orbits for safe disposal.
The Tukwila, Wash.-based company, founded in 2019 by former Blue Origin engineers Austin Link and Trevor Bennett, recently raised more than $110 million in a Series B round, pushing total funding past $150 million.
Starfish has completed three demonstration missions in orbit and has Otter missions under contract with the U.S. Space Force, NASA, SES and others, with its first operational mission expected to launch this year.
Astound Business Solutions is the presenting sponsor of the 2026 GeekWire Awards. Thanks also to gold sponsors Amazon Sustainability, Baird, BECU, JLL, First Tech and Wilson Sonsini, and silver sponsors Prime Team Partners.
The event will feature a VIP reception, sit-down dinner and fun entertainment mixed in. Tickets go fast. A limited number of half-table and full-table sponsorships are available. Contact events@geekwire.com to reserve a spot for your team today.
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As evidenced by the Hyundai Boulder Concept and some statements in Kia’s 2026 Investor Day announcements, Kia is getting serious about building a truck. Kia already has a body-on-frame truck, the Tasman, which launched in global markets in 2025, but this potential new offering seems to be different from that particular mid-sized truck.
The new truck, as yet unnamed, will ride on a body-on-frame platform like other American-market trucks from the likes of Toyota, Ford, and General Motors. Whether Kia’s new pickup offering will be able to compete with those well-entrenched models is a question only the future can answer: Kia’s truck isn’t even scheduled to hit the market until 2030.
However, Kia is at least giving the truck a pair of drivetrains that might edge out a win, or at least help it stand out from the competition. More specifically, Kia is aiming to offer two hybrid drivetrains, one of which will be an extended-range model.
An electrified boost
Two giants in the truck industry, Toyota and Ford, already offer hybrid versions of their trucks: Toyota has the newest-generation Tacoma and Tundra, while Ford has the F-150 PowerBoost. However, an extended-range electric vehicle pickup, as the new Kia is supposed to be, would be unique, at least in the North American market.
BYD, the Chinese automaker well known for its electric cars, produces the BYD Shark, a body-on-frame plug-in hybrid pickup, but that truck probably isn’t showing up on American streets anytime soon. As far as American automakers go, Stellantis has teased the Ram Ramcharger — which would have a gas motor to charge its onboard batteries — for years, but it has yet to materialize. Ford has, admittedly, announced a range-extending gas engine for the second-gen F-150 Lightning, but it hasn’t revealed a release date yet.
The new Kia model has the potential to shake up the market, providing American drivers with something unique at a price point that will likely be very competitive. While Kia hasn’t even announced what the truck will look like or what it will be called, it’s certainly a truck to look forward to.
Pellet grill converts aren’t shy about their love for these versatile outdoor cookers, and many, including CNET, regard Traeger as the best in the booming alternative-grill category. Traeger’s pellet grills allow for precise temperature control via convection heat, easy low-and-slow cooking with minimal oversight and wood-fired flavor you won’t get from gas or charcoal setups. But they aren’t cheap.
A full-sized Traeger typically costs the would-be pellet griller about $1,000, but the brand just launched its most budget-friendly line, the Westwood series, ahead of summer 2026. That means you can haul in one of Traeger’s cult-favorite pellet grills with most of its signature bells and whistles for less than $700.
Pellet grills are praised for delivering woodfire flavor and precise temperature control.
The new standard Westwood has 653 square inches of grilling space and sells for $699. The XL sports 823 square inches and will cost you $799 — still cheaper than any other large grill in the Traeger lineup. Until now, the cheapest full-sized Traegers, the Ridgewood series, started at $899.
The Westwood series builds on the advanced engineering and flavor-forward technology that Traeger has refined across its top-of-the-line grills, according to a press release shared with CNET, and fuses them into a grill designed for everyday cooking.
Key Features of the Traeger Westwood series:
- Woodfire flavor with minimal fuss: Natural hardwood pellets and convection airflow work together to deliver richer wood‑fired flavor and consistent results.
- Easy use: WiFIRE with Bluetooth compatibility lets users monitor and control their grill from the Traeger App for effortless, precise cooking.
- More cooking options than most grills: Grill, slow cook, smoke or bake with Traeger’s precise temperature control and convection technology.
- Generous cooking space: Dual‑tier grilling area provides room to cook multiple dishes at once.
- Space to prep: Integrated shelves and storage create a streamlined workspace, keeping tools, ingredients and pellets within easy reach.
With the launch of its Westwood Series, Trager’s pellet grills are more affordable than ever.
The Westwood Series is now available online and in stores through Traeger retailers.
Per the agreement, Amazon will take ownership of Globalstar’s existing operations including its low Earth orbit satellite network and supporting infrastructure, as well as related assets like mobile satellite service spectrum licenses. Amazon is paying $90 per Globalstar share – available either as cash or in Amazon stock – which…
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512GB of fast, well-organised storage changes how you actually use a phone, especially when you are shooting 8K video and saving high-resolution 50MP images without a second thought.
Right now, that headroom costs considerably less than it should, with the Google Pixel 10 Pro down from $1,219 to $969 on Amazon, saving you $250 on one of 2025’s most capable Android handsets.
The Google Pixel 10 Pro 512GB is at its lowest price on Amazon right now, giving you more storage for less
256GB of fast, well-organised storage changes how you actually use a phone, especially when you are getting it with a $250 discount.
The camera is the obvious starting point, and on the Pixel 10 Pro it earns genuine attention rather than just marketing language, because the triple rear system pairs a 50MP main sensor with 100x Pro Res Zoom for the kind of detail you would normally need a much bigger camera to capture.
That reach is backed by Google’s Tensor G5 chip, which has been purpose-built with an improved TPU and CPU to run Google’s AI processing on-device, meaning tasks like computational photography and Gemini Live happen faster and with less reliance on a network connection.
Gemini Live itself is worth dwelling on, because it turns the phone into something closer to an always-available visual assistant, letting you point the camera at your surroundings and have a natural back-and-forth conversation about what it sees, which feels meaningfully different from tapping through menus.
The 6.3-inch Super Actua OLED display hits 3,300 nits of peak brightness, so reading the screen outdoors in direct sunlight stops being a frustrating experience, and the 120Hz refresh rate keeps scrolling and transitions feeling fluid regardless of what you are doing.
Build quality matches the ambition, with durable aluminium framing and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back meaning the phone can survive the kind of daily contact that would leave cheaper handsets visibly worse for wear.
The Pixel 10 Pro is a strong fit for anyone who wants Google’s best camera and AI experience without paying the full flagship price, and at $969 this is the most accessible that combination has been since launch.
SQUIRREL_13890777
The RAMpocalypse continues. Microsoft just revealed across the entire Surface line of products, . The updated pricing has already hit the official Microsoft Store, with other retailers expected to follow suit in the near future.
These are fairly significant upticks. For instance, the base model 15-inch Surface Laptop 7 now starts at $1,600. It cost $1,300 when the laptop was first released back in 2024. It did receive a price increase last year to $1,500, so today’s increase tacks on another $100.
The cost balloons even further when upgrading components, as a top-end Laptop 7 with a Snapdragon X Elite, 64GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage now costs a whopping $3650. As a comparison, a 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro, 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD comes in at $3,300, and the .
Microsoft
This trend continues with the Surface Pro line of hybrid computers. The 12-inch Surface Pro starts at $1,050, after launching at just $800. The flagship 13-inch Surface Pro cost $1,000 in 2024 and now starts at $1,500. That’s a $500 increase in just two years, though the base hard drive did get a bit bigger.
These price increases are, of course, being blamed on generative AI’s penchant for . “Due to recent increases in memory and component costs, Surface is updating pricing on Microsoft.com for its current‑generation hardware portfolio,” Microsoft wrote in a statement.
Industry reports that the company is currently readying refreshes across the Surface line. It’s highly likely these new prices if component prices don’t decrease.
These aren’t the due to AI. Motorola recently instituted increases that even . Samsung has also pushed up the cost for its .
The PS5 when compared to the 2020 launch price, though Sony didn’t explicitly blame these increases on RAM, but rather “continued pressures in the global economic landscape.” There are also rumors that the continued RAM shortage has made it difficult for and likely pushed back the release of the .
There was a time, not terribly long ago, when manual transmissions were everywhere. In fact, back in the 1980s, ’90s, and even into the 2000s, manual transmissions were standard equipment on many of the new vehicles sold in North America. This was true not just on inexpensive economy cars or high-performance sports cars — but on family sedans, pickup trucks, and SUVs as well. While stick shifts are enjoyed by car enthusiasts today, opting for a manual used to be something mainstream auto buyers did just to save money on their purchase or perhaps to get a bit better fuel economy. That’s not the case anymore.
Today, the decline in manual offerings is well known, with what seems to be an ever-dwindling list of new vehicles available with a stick shift and a clutch pedal. As you’d expect, with the manual transmission very much becoming a niche option for drivers, the vast majority of today’s manual offerings come on enthusiast-oriented sports cars, hot hatchbacks, and muscle cars.
So what about manual SUVs? While SUVs and crossovers dominate the sales charts overall, you’ll need to search far and wide for a manual-equipped SUV on a dealer lot, with just two models currently offering buyers the option of a stick shift. Those two models are the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, both of which are adventure-oriented 4x4s, rather than mainstream family SUVs. Even on these models, manuals are only found on certain trim levels and with certain engines.
SUVs with manual transmissions are rare breeds
With their iconic names and rugged body-on-frame construction, the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler make sense as the only two SUVs available with a manual transmission. Both 4x4s are offered in two or four-door body styles, and both have removable tops and doors for an open-air adventure experience. A manual simply makes them that much more fun.
However, you can’t simply add the manual option to any Bronco or Wrangler model. The Bronco offers an available seven-speed manual transmission — which is technically a six-speed with an extra crawler gear — but only on models powered by the base 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. The more powerful EcoBoost V6-powered Broncos are automatic only.
The Jeep Wrangler is available with a few different powerplants, including a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a 6.4-liter HEMI V8. However, Jeep’s six-speed manual is only available on Wranglers powered by the 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6. For a time, the Wrangler’s V6 engine was actually manual-only, though Jeep recently brought back the V6-automatic combo following customer demand.
There is some evidence more stick shift SUVs are on the way
There’s one more new vehicle sold with a manual transmission that deserves an honorable mention here, and that’s the Toyota Tacoma — which was as of this writing the only pickup truck sold in the United States with a manual transmission. While it’s, of course, an open-bed pickup rather than an SUV, a Tacoma with a camper shell is the closest you can get to having a new Toyota SUV with a stick shift. Despite having a similar powertrain and essentially being the Tacoma’s SUV counterpart, the Toyota 4Runner is only available with an automatic.
Toyota has said that there’s low demand for a manual 4Runner, yet there’s also some evidence that the manual transmission has been undergoing a bit of a resurgence as drivers look for an extra connection between them and their vehicles. So, is it possible that we could see other manual-equipped SUVs joining lineups in the future?
Subaru recently generated some speculation by asking its buyers if they’d be interested in a new, manual Subaru SUV. The company had previously offered its Crosstrek CUV with a manual, but the stick shift was cut from the option sheet for 2024. Whether or not Subaru’s interest pans out into an actual product remains to be seen, but manual lovers can at least have some optimism for the future. Until something else comes to the market, though, SUV buyers who desire a manual will have to make do with a Bronco or Wrangler.
There’s a reason almost every driver you know has a story of pothole frustration. It’s because it’s largely inevitable that you’ll fall victim to one somewhere at some point. What’s important, though, is what you do next. When our cars bump a curb or take a small jolt from a pothole, sometimes it seems so minor that we just grit our teeth and go about our day. Bear in mind, though, that you may not have gotten off as easily as you first thought.
The fact that you felt only a minor impact doesn’t necessarily mean that your vehicle hasn’t sustained damage. If it has, it’s vital to determine what’s happened and what needs to be done next. This can prevent worse harm being done to the vehicle, as well as keep you and other drivers safe. There are also potential ways to secure compensation for the damage done by a pothole, if you know the avenues you can try to take and the time frame you have to do so.
There are some things you can do in the immediate aftermath of hitting the pothole, while there are others that are jobs to be done in the days and weeks ahead. In either instance, though, as they’re such a ubiquitous threat on the roads, all drivers should know what to do after striking a pothole.
Pull over and check your vehicle
Of course, any time your vehicle takes a bump or a ding, all kinds of things immediately run through your mind. The first step is to pull over as soon as possible to determine what you’re dealing with. After all, it may be dangerous to drive any further. Even if that’s not the case, your vehicle may require prompt service.
There are some immediate signs of major damage, such as buckling of the wheel arches, that will tell you that you need to see a mechanic ASAP after the pothole encounter. It’s also important to keep in mind that you may have been driving when visibility was poor, such as in the dark, so it definitely pays to have a flashlight in your vehicle as part of your emergency kit for these sorts of situations.
You should take your time to thoroughly inspect your vehicle. If you’re not a mechanic who’s experienced with all the subtle yet important signs, the first thing to ascertain is that there hasn’t been catastrophic damage to the underside of your vehicle.
It may not even be something visible. Have a careful listen for escaping gas or any sounds that your vehicle wasn’t making before, which could indicate suspension damage or similar. It may well be a case for a mechanic, and the more information you can give them about any changes to your vehicle afterward, the better they’ll be able to diagnose and resolve problems.
Report the offending pothole
After you’ve determined that your vehicle hasn’t been damaged (or arranged proper care if it unfortunately has), your next priority should be reporting the troublesome pothole in question. To do so, you’ll first need to find out which body is responsible for that particular road.
State highways, etc., are typically administered by the state’s Department of Transportation. If on a California highway, for instance, you can use the Caltrans Division of Maintenance Customer Service Request form, which allows users to identify a pothole using a drag-and-drop pin-on-a-map graphic. As Texas’s own Department of Transportation notes, though, other roads, such as those within a city’s boundaries, are that city’s responsibility, not the state’s. Of course, these authorities usually have huge areas to maintain and significant backlogs of other repairs and improvements to make, so there’s no telling how long it may take for the repair to ultimately be made.
Still, you’re raising critical awareness about the issue, and that could save many tires and suspensions from needless extra strain or damage. On top of that, such reports can also serve as important evidence should a motorist seek compensation from the relevant authority for damage caused to their vehicle. This is because, as CNN Legal Analyst and Atlanta attorney Cody Randall put it in an Instagram post on the matter, “the city or the county, whoever’s maintaining that road, has to have knowledge that the defect exists and an opportunity to remediate it” for them to be found liable for damage caused by a pothole.
Consider making a claim for the damage your vehicle has sustained
As the Los Angeles Times reported in 2024, 44 million drivers in the United States had their vehicles damaged by potholes in 2023. Looking a little further back, the American Automobile Association reported that pothole damage had cost the country’s drivers approximately $26.5 billion in total in 2021.
Compensation claims can be made if you act quickly. The time limit is up to 90 days after the collision in New York City, for instance, potentially differing a lot by location, though successfully receiving compensation for it is another matter. The onus is on the driver to demonstrate irrefutably that the responsible body was not taking care of the road as they should. This is why those who hit potholes should take the time to take photographs of the section of road, the pothole itself, their vehicle, and any damage.
Be prepared to have little success with your claim. In fact, the Michigan Department of Transportation notes that “the majority of damage claims are denied under governmental immunity laws.” While Michigan law says that government agencies must “maintain the highway in reasonable repair,” defining a failure to do so is a tricky matter. As CNN Legal Analyst and Atlanta attorney Cody Randall explained on Instagram, counties and states often have “sovereign or qualified immunity,” which means, in effect, “you actually have to ask them for permission to sue them,” and they must choose to allow it.
Determine whether your existing insurance coverage will help you
If you determine that your chance of receiving compensation from the local authorities is low, there’s another course of action that could help: Your existing car insurance. As State Farm reports, “pothole damage is usually covered with collision coverage, minus the deductible,” the latter typically being up to around $1,000. After a quote for the price of a repair, you might find that you’d end up parting with more money in the long run by taking this route.
The Insurance Information Institute clarifies that adding collision coverage to a standard policy can cover the driver against impacts from potholes or other similar road hazards, though “it does not cover wear and tear to a car or its tires due to bad road conditions.” Such conditions often come hand in hand with potholes because of the way they form (rain freezing in existing cracks in the road expands and causes them to become larger), which also contributes to spring being the absolute worst time for potholes. A driver must prove that it was a collision with a pothole that caused the damage to get their insurance to pay out.
An additional complication to keep in mind is that your no-claims status may also be at stake from using it. All in all, as is so often the case with auto insurance, there’s a lot that needs to be considered prior to any claim. It can be important to avoid cheap car insurance to ensure your coverage is comprehensive, should it be needed for reasons like this.
Check your tire warranty
Claims, whether through your personal vehicle insurance or for compensation from the relevant body, may be a non-starter. They may also result in lots of paperwork and evidence-gathering that adds up to much more time and/or money spent than the payout would ultimately be worth. There’s something much less time-consuming that you can consider first, though: Check the warranty on your tires.
According to Edmunds, road hazard coverage can be added to a typical tire warranty to cover dangerous objects that could be on the road and potentially puncture a tire. Without this addition, the warranty will typically only be applicable for manufacturing defects, not accidental damage. This is why the road hazard add-on could be valuable, but it certainly doesn’t simply mean a free tire in every case. Additional fees, such as those for road hazard coverage on an additional tire, may also be added to the bill you end up receiving. The circumstances, the type of tire, and the damage it sustained are important to consider.
Ultimately, a driver has several options available to them if they hit a pothole, and while each incident will be different and have different effects, the immediate priority is damage control. Often, the aim is to recoup as much of the expense as possible in the circumstances, which is a result in itself and better than not getting anything back at all.
YouTube announced this week that it will now hold back ads during livestreams if chat engagement is at its peak, and if users show support with Super Chat, Super Stickers, or gift purchases. Until now, the only way to avoid seeing ads was by paying for a YouTube Premium subscription.
The Google-owned platform said in a blog post that when a chat explodes with energy, it wants to “protect that collective vibe.” When YouTube’s system recognizes that engagement is high, the platform will automatically hold back ads for everyone.
The idea behind this change is to help creators maintain momentum for viewers without interruptions from ads, the company says.
On the other hand, when a fan shows support with a Super Chat, Super Stickers, or gifts, they will be rewarded right away with a personal ad-free window right after their purchase. For context, Super Chat allows viewers to pay to highlight their messages, while Super Stickers are images that users can purchase to make their messages stand out in chats.
YouTube announced these changes alongside other updates for live creators. The company shared that more creators around the world are now eligible to receive gifts from viewers, as gifts are now live in Canada, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand.
Additionally, viewers can now send GIFs on creators’ horizontal livestreams, not just vertical ones, directly from their mobile devices.
YouTube also announced that creators can now go live in both vertical and horizontal formats at the same time, with all viewers being able to connect in a single shared chat. The company says over 30% of live watch time in the U.S. came from connected TVs in 2025, which is why it wants creators to be able to customize their streams for all sorts of screens.
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The move comes a few days after YouTube raised subscription prices for YouTube Premium in the U.S. The YouTube Premium individual plan is increasing from $13.99 to $15.99 per month, while the family plan is going from $22.99 to $26.99 per month.
Last year, Samsung introduced its first Micro RGB TV, but that model was only available in a massive 115-inch size and had an equally enormous price tag of $27,000. For 2026, it unveiled two ranges — the R85H and R95H — with sizes between 55 and 100 inches, and prices starting at a much more reasonable $1,600.
Why are these called Micro RGB TVs? Firstly, they’re LCD TVs, like most of Samsung’s lineup, but the key difference here is that they use a different backlighting system. Where most LCD TVs use a specialized filter to generate colors, the premium R95 and more affordable R85 models use clusters of red, green and blue micro LEDs to either replace or augment the filters.
Read more: Best TVs for 2026: Expert Tested and Reviewed
Samsung says the R95H hits 100% of the BT.2020 color area, which is more colors than most TVs could ever hope for. Yet, having seen this TV, and others that make the same claim, I don’t think it’s all that important. At least, not right now.
The competing TVs I’ve witnessed hitting this number have had a lot of colors, yes, but accuracy has been reduced in the process, even according to each company’s own test data. It’s more vital that a TV reproduce the color that’s present in the content you’re watching, rather than invent a whole new one. It’s worth adding that the TVs typically hit these numbers in Vivid mode, which is notorious for being cartoonishly bright and colorful.
The Samsung R95H is the company’s high-end Micro RBG TV.
A much more compelling feature of these TVs, however, is their use of Samsung Glare Free technology, which is designed to virtually eliminate reflections from windows or overhead lights on the screen. I’ve seen it in person, and it’s one of the best antireflective systems out there.
The TVs will also be capable of displaying Samsung’s own answer to Dolby Vision 2: HDR10 Plus Advanced, though it’s yet to be seen if this format will be supported through content.
The TVs are designed for gaming, too, and have dedicated gaming modes. For smooth movement, they include Samsung’s own Motion Xcelerator 165Hz and Motion Xcelerator 144Hz tech, on the R95H and R85H, respectively.
The R95H is compatible with the Wireless One Connect box if you want to keep your sources and TV separate. Both TVs come with the new Slim Fit Wall Mount, which allows access to existing ports with a hinge at the top of the TV.
As with most of the TVs announced at CES, these models have a plethora of AI modes, from the image and audio processors to the onboard chatbots from either Microsoft Copilot or Perplexity. Two of the most notable modes are AI Soccer Mode Pro (which can make the World Cup look like a video game) and AI Sound Controller Pro, which can amplify or cut different parts of the soundtrack, such as sound effects or dialogue.
While a 130-inch R95H was announced at CES, the company has yet to detail any pricing or availability for that model.
At a briefing earlier this year, I got a look at a preproduction version of the R95H, and Samsung representatives told me that the OLED TVs were still the best choice for picture quality, while the Micro RGBs were better for brightness and color. With their antireflective coatings and gaming features, I can see that these TVs will be popular with console gamers, especially.
However, Samsung is not the only manufacturer to announce Micro RGB TVs for 2026, and it’s harder to find one that isn’t. While I’m skeptical about the benefits of hitting 100% of BT.2020, this is a factor I’ll test when I get my hands on compatible models.
The R95H and R85 are available now:
- 85-inch R95H: $6,500
- 75-inch R95H: $4,500
- 65-inch R95H: $3,200
- 85-inch R85H: $4,000
- 75-inch R85H: $2,800
- 65-inch R85H: $2,100
- 55-inch R85H: $1,600
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