Amazon has confirmed it’s acquiring Globalstar and plans to integrate the satellite operator’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and spectrum into the Amazon Leo network. With this acquisition, Amazon seeks to accelerate the deployment of direct-to-device (D2D) capabilities, allowing standard smartphones to support calling, texting, and data via satellite. Amazon has already secured big customers for its satellite broadband service, and this deal will allow it to bypass several infrastructure hurdles.

The Apple partnership and 2028 roadmap

A key component of the deal is a new agreement between Amazon and Apple. Amazon Leo will now power satellite services for the iPhone and Apple Watch, including Emergency SOS, Messages, and Find My. Globalstar is Apple’s current partner, and this collaboration ensures Apple users will transition to Amazon’s expanded network as it matures. Amazon’s acquisition of Globalstar is expected to close in 2027, pending regulatory approval.

Amazon also plans to deploy its own next-gen D2D satellite system beginning in 2028. Designed for higher spectrum efficiency, the company says this system will lead to faster speeds and better performance than current satellite-to-cell offerings.

Why this matters

The competition between Amazon and SpaceX is no longer just about who can provide the fastest home Wi-Fi. With this move, it’s now about who owns the most comprehensive connectivity ecosystem. We have already seen Amazon challenge Starlink’s dominance in aviation, and this merger is expected to expand that reach to every handheld device on the planet.

By integrating Globalstar with its infrastructure, Amazon is building the backbone of global communication. For the average user, this means the safety net of satellite connectivity is about to become a standard feature on mobile devices. And network “dead zones” may finally become a thing of the past.

OpenAI has acquired Hiro Finance, a startup that offers AI-powered financial planning tools. As first reported by TechCrunch, fiscal terms of the deal, which was announced on Monday, were not disclosed by OpenAI. However, all signs point this to being an acquhire, with Hiro founder Ethan Bloch writing on LinkedIn that the company’s product would stop working on April 20. Users have until May 13 to migrate their data off of Hiro’s servers before everything is deleted.

It’s unclear if OpenAI plans to offer a dedicated financial planning tool in the mold of Hiro. At the start of the year, the company released Prism, a Claude Code-like app for scientific research that built on its acquisition of the startup behind Crixet. At the very least, it sounds like some of the expertise Hiro has built will make its way to OpenAI’s chatbot. “For decades, personalized financial guidance has been too expensive, too generic, or too hard to access. ChatGPT is finally changing that,” Bloch wrote on LinkedIn.

The deal is the second acquisition in only two weeks to be announced by OpenAI. At the start of the month, the company bought Technology Business Programming Network (TBPN), a media company known for its daily tech podcast. For a company that has by all indications a long and tough road ahead to profitability, it sure does seem OpenAI is spending a lot of time and money on startups that might not end being central to its core business, which in recent months has seen it target the coding market to edge out Anthropic.

At some point, we all stopped memorizing phone numbers. It happened gradually, and now most of us can barely recall two or three phone numbers off the top of our heads. So when your iPhone contacts vanish, whether after a software update or an accidental delete, it can feel like a minor crisis.

Thankfully, if you act fast, you can easily restore deleted contacts on your iPhone. So, before you start texting people asking for their numbers again, try these methods to get your contacts back. These methods will work on all latest iPhone models.

Recover contacts using iCloud on your iPhone

If your contacts disappear due to a sync issue, the fix is surprisingly simple. Just head to Settings, toggle contacts sync off, then back on. Your contacts should reappear on your iPhone shortly after.

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone, click on your name, and open iCloud settings.

Step 2: Tap the See All button and turn off the toggle next to Contacts. Select the Keep on My iPhone option when prompted.

Step 3: Turn the toggle back on and select Merge. Wait a little while, and you should see the deleted contacts back on your iPhone.

Recover contacts using iCloud.com

If you have accidentally deleted a contact, you can restore it from your iCloud. However, if you have turned on Advanced Data Protection for iCloud or updated to iOS 26.4, which automatically enables it, first, you will have to enable iCloud data access on the web.

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone, click on your name, and open iCloud settings.

Step 2: Scroll to the bottom, tap iCloud.com, and turn on the “Allow Data Access” toggle.

Step 3: Once you have enabled iCloud data access on the web, launch Safari on your iPhone, visit iCloud.com, and log in with your credentials.

Step 4: Click on the menu dots in the top-right corner, scroll to the bottom, and open “Data Recovery.” Scroll down and tap on Restore Contacts.

Step 5: Now tap the Restore button next to the date and time when the contacts were deleted to restore them.

More techniques for restoring iPhone contacts

Here are some more things you can try:

• If the above techniques don’t work, you can also try to restore your phone from an iTunes backup, which will also have contact data.
• If you still have your old iPhone and haven’t changed many contacts since then, you can port them over or add important ones.
• You can try third-party iOS recovery tools.

Losing your contacts is stressful, but as you can see, getting them back is usually a quick fix. The key takeaway here is to make sure your contacts are always syncing with iCloud so you are never caught off guard again. And if you haven’t backed up your iPhone in a while, now is a great time to do it. Think of it as insurance you hope you never need, but will be very glad you have.

‘We’re in a race whether we choose to accept it or not,’ Richard Browne said.

Mythos’ creation shows just what is possible with AI tools in the cybersecurity space, National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) director Richard Browne told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence this afternoon (14 April).

“The issue is not that that Anthropic has created this. The issue is that Anthropic has demonstrated that this is possible,” Browne said in response to questions posed by Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney, who said Anthropic is engaging in a “PR exercise”.

“This technology exists and it’s possible to use it. [Currently] it’s in the hands of a company. In five months – six months – it’ll be in the hands of an active state [actor], Browne said. “Governance is great, very important, but it doesn’t stop criminal actors.”

Anthropic launched Mythos earlier this month to a select group of top companies globally. At its launch, Anthropic noted Mythos’ abilities to detect and generate exploits at a much faster rate than its competitors.

The company, concerned about bad actors, chose instead to let businesses boost their cyber defences using the tool. In the days since its launch, US, UK and Canadian leaders have already expressed their concerns.

NCSC, in a public statement yesterday (13 April) said that Mythos appears to represent “a significant change in the way hardware and software vulnerabilities are identified”.

Anthropic’s decision to restrict the release of the model and to work collaboratively with industry partners is a responsible approach,” it added.

AI is having an “inherently unpredictable” impact on cybersecurity, Browne told the Committee. He noted that AI is “genuinely revolutionary” and poses a “generational change” that is set to affect every other digital technology.

The question is no longer whether AI needs to be adopted, but rather how to do so safely, he added.

The primary use case of the technology has been as a “force multiplier”, Browne said. It allows users to increase the scale of their operations – effectively “democratis[ing]” access by removing technical and linguistic barriers. This allows relatively novice users to utilise commercial AI tools to deploy attacks.

Threat actors are already “heavy users” of AI tools, Browne said, while on the other side, security workers are also employing agentic AI to boost their defences.

The National Cyber Risk Assessment launched in December outlines how AI drives systemic risk by increasing the speed, scale and sophistication of cyberattacks.

“We’re in a race whether we choose to accept it or not,” Browne said. “The technical frontier is moving ahead week by week, and the role of managing cyber-related risks to society and to the economy is becoming far more dynamic.” Look at AI as a tool, a threat and a target, the director added.

The speed at which AI models are growing also gives way for an “AI gap”, leaving states that are unable to adapt behind. Security can no longer be an afterthought, no matter how promising an AI system might be, Browne said.

Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.

Most Gmail users deal with a constant flow of spam, promotions, and unnecessary updates every day. Even after trying to unsubscribe or block certain senders, unwanted messages often continue to appear. Some don’t even offer a proper way to opt out. Instead of dealing with each email individually, using the right settings and filters can make a big difference. Here are different ways to stop spam from taking over your Gmail inbox.

1. Use Gmail Filters to Manage Emails Automatically

Filters are highly effective in addressing recurring spam problems in Gmail accounts. Rather than constantly deleting similar emails, filters can automatically treat specific messages based on the sender’s identity or specific keywords.

Filters can be created directly from an email. Simply open the message, click the three-dot menu, and select “Filter messages like this.” After that, choose what action Gmail should take, such as deleting or organizing the email.

2. Block Entire Domains Instead of Single Senders

Some individuals still use multiple versions of their addresses when sending email messages. The problem is that simple blocking is ineffective, since the same individual will continue to send new emails. To address this issue, it may be better to block all emails from a specific domain.

Just like filters, one can do the following to block these emails. Type the domain in Google’s Gmail search tab, click on “filter,” and then proceed to choose actions such as deleting the email, marking it as spam, etc.

3. Use Email Aliases to Track Spam Sources

Gmail allows the use of aliases by adding a “+” sign to an existing email address. These variations can be used while signing up on different websites, while still keeping everything in one inbox.

This makes it easier to track where spam is coming from. If unwanted emails start appearing on a specific alias, the source can be identified and then filtered or blocked more effectively.

4. Avoid Opening Suspicious Emails

Most suspicious emails include tracking components that activate when the recipient opens them. These are typically invisible pictures that indicate whether the recipient has viewed the message, hence increasing the likelihood of receiving more spam.

To prevent this, one should refrain from opening any strange-looking emails, such as those from unknown sources or with funny subject lines. Such emails can either be disposed of immediately or filtered through other means. One can use Gmail’s settings to request permission to view external images.

5. Turn Off Automatic Image Loading

Images inside marketing emails are often used to track activity. As soon as an email opens and the images load, it confirms to the sender that the email address is active. To stop this, automatic image loading can be disabled in Gmail. After enabling the setting to ask before showing images, tracking images will no longer load automatically.

6. Report Spam Instead of Just Deleting

Removing spam by deleting emails is only a short-term fix. It clears space but doesn’t prevent new spam from arriving. Using the “Report Spam” option is more effective. It helps Gmail understand which emails are unwanted and improves its filtering system over time, reducing similar spam in the future.

7. Limit Use of Primary Email Address

A primary email address can quickly become overloaded if it is used everywhere. Over time, it gets shared across many platforms, leading to more promotional and spam emails. To avoid such inconvenience, one should use their primary email address only for essential accounts and, in other cases, use a secondary email.

Although spam cannot be entirely eliminated from a user’s life, it is possible to control its impact using certain tactics. Simple things like filtering, reporting spam, and reducing the number of emails you receive will significantly help you manage your inbox.

Singapore property agency PropertyLimBrothers (PLB) is undergoing a major internal reshuffle, with its media arm, PLB Media, reportedly laying off around 90% of its staff as several realtors also exit the business.

According to a report from The Edge, the cuts are part of a wider restructuring that has seen key leadership changes within the company, following recent controversies and leadership exits.

As of Feb 2026, PLB Media had close to 100 employees across its editorial, tech, video, and overseas teams. The staff supported the agency’s realtors by handling research, marketing, and social media execution, forming the backbone of its content-driven property business model.

About 90% of PLB Media’s video team, made up of close to 50 staff, were affected by the retrenchment exercise. They were informed via meetings with HR executives, which reportedly began last week.

An affected employee who spoke to The Edge said staff were given a choice between voluntarily resigning or being retrenched, with just two days to make a decision. The employee also shared that the retrenchment package offered was equivalent to one week’s salary for each year of service at PLB.

Separately, another affected employee shared that those who chose to resign were also offered the same retrenchment package. They were additionally allowed to keep their company-issued devices and would receive a recommendation letter to support their job search.

In late Jan, rumours began circulating online alleging that PLB co-founder Melvin Lim and then vice-president of strategy Grayce Tan were involved in an extramarital affair. Both Lim and Tan are married, and the claims quickly drew public attention to the firm.

The two subsequently stepped down, prompting leadership changes and the introduction of a new whistle-blowing channel within the company.

Following the controversy, several realtors have reportedly left PLB for other agencies in recent months.

Vulcan Post has reached out to PLB for comment.

• Read other articles we’ve written on Singaporean businesses here.

Featured Image Credit: PropertyLimBrothers

Lucid Motors has finally found a new CEO in long-time industrial executive, Silvio Napoli, marking the end of a more than year-long search following the sudden resignation of its former chief, Peter Rawlinson.

The company on Tuesday said that Napoli, who has spent the last few decades in various leadership positions at elevator and escalator company Schindler Group, will also join its board of directors.

Alongside the CEO appointment, Lucid said it has received another $200 million commitment from Uber, which has agreed to buy an additional 25,000 robotaxi-ready versions of Lucid’s upcoming mid-size vehicle. That brings Uber’s total committed investments in Lucid Motors to $500 million, and its minimum vehicle order to 35,000.

Finally, Lucid’s majority owner, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, is purchasing another $550 million of its shares.

The announcements come during an all-important year for Lucid Motors. The company is currently trying to ramp up production and sales of its second model, the Gravity SUV, after struggling to find a large market for its Air sedan. Lucid is also planning on releasing the first of three vehicles built on its mid-sized platform, which will allow it to target buyers looking to spend around $50,000 on a new car.

The company has taken tough measures to ensure it gets that vehicle into production. In February, it decided to lay off 12% of its workforce, TechCrunch reported. On Tuesday, Lucid Motors said in a regulatory filing that it has recently “reduced contractor headcount” at its Arizona factory “to improve cost efficiency.”

Lucid Motors has been without a permanent CEO since February 2025, when long-time leader Rawlinson suddenly left the company. Its chief operating officer, Marc Winterhoff, has served as interim CEO since, and had designs on taking over the CEO role, as TechCrunch previously reported, while the company cast an extremely wide net for a replacement. But Winterhoff’s oversight coincided with multiple quality issues during the rollout of its Gravity SUV.

Napoli will not start as CEO right away. He still needs to receive “the right to work in the U.S.,” according to a regulatory filing. Until that happens, he will be an “executive director” of Lucid Motors’ board under a Swiss employment agreement (where he lives). Lucid expects Napoli to receive permission to work in the U.S. “in the coming weeks,” after which Winterhoff will resume his role as chief operating officer.

Napoli stands to make a lot of money as Lucid’s new CEO. He’s starting with a base salary of $1.5 million, and is being given $1 million to move to the U.S. He’s also being awarded a bonus package, a grant of shares worth nearly $10 million, as well as a performance-based stock package that could be worth tens of millions of dollars.

Uber’s new commitment comes just a day after the ride-hail giant and its autonomous vehicle partner Nuro began testing modified Lucid Gravity SUVs for a luxury robotaxi service launching in San Francisco later this year. Uber first partnered up with Lucid Motors and Nuro last July, when it made a $300 million investment and agreed to buy at least 20,000 Gravity SUVs.

Lucid Motors revealed at an investor day event earlier this year that it was near an agreement with Uber to make a similar arrangement for its more affordable mid-size vehicles. The finalized agreement unveiled Tuesday reduces the minimum number of Gravity SUV orders to 10,000.

The Saudi investment is the latest in a long line of cash injections from the Kingdom into Lucid that started off as a company-saving investment in 2018.

On April 12, crowds flocked to Toyota Arena in Tokyo to witness CUE7 come to life on the court. Standing 219 cm (7’2″) tall, it moved with an unsettlingly steady balance as it retrieved a basketball off the ground. When the robot began to move, it appeared to be playing basketball like any other player, with deft dribbles and precise motions. When the robot took a free shot in front of 8,400 yelling spectators, the ball left its hands in a perfect arc and fell over the net.

Its weight was reduced by engineers to 74 kg, a nearly 40% decrease from its previous iteration. The CUE7 now rolls on two wheels rather than a four wheel base, which helps conserve parts and provides it with a more secure footing when jetting down the court. The robot has the consistent power it needs to move fluidly and effortlessly around the court thanks to high-torque batteries from race cars.

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Thanks to the stereo camera in its “head,” which can detect the hoop from a distance, the robot is continuously collecting data from everything around it. It knows exactly where it is in relation to the basket thanks to the extremely accurate distance and depth readings provided by the LiDAR units in its midsection.

The new robot operates entirely differently from previous iterations of CUE7, which required precise human coordination. It has a hybrid system that blends model predictive control and reinforcement learning. This means that via constant practice and trial-and-error, the machine can test out its own actions, identify what doesn’t work, and make necessary adjustments. Additionally, it has model predictive control, which provides the machine with a blueprint for its next movements. This combination enables the robot to adjust to novel circumstances as they arise.

The vision system first latches onto the hoop and determines the distance as the robot advances through a shot. It then establishes the ideal trajectory by slightly altering its arm angle and stance. The arms stretch in a single motion, the ball is elevated to a fixed position, and it follows a precise arc through the air and into the net without any wobbles that could damage the shot. It repeatedly repeats this with almost the same outcomes.

The system immediately enters analysis mode when the robot misses, examining what went wrong, adjusting the machine’s calculations, and improving the subsequent try. This indicates that the robot can quickly become consistent, making free throws with ease and even longer shots that were previously difficult. When it comes to dribbling, the robot bounces the ball with just the proper amount of force as it travels across the court with the same natural ease as any other basketball player.

Toyota created the CUE7 robot as a test platform to fine-tune its motion planning, precise control, and vision technologies. They will eventually be able to create machines that can handle objects in a factory or on the road with far greater delicacy thanks to the lessons they are learning here. Nearly ten years ago, the project began as a sort of side project, and with every iteration, it has been getting better.

[Source]

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 Pro screen protector.

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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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 Leather Cases.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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 Case.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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 cases.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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 Milan Snap case.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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 cases.

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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 Pathfinder.

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Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

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

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.