WE put Apple’s iPhone 7 Plus through the wringer last year, and though dozens of premium rivals have been introduced since then, the current-gen iPhone remains one of the most valued and sought-after phones in the industry. We’d even argue that its esteem has only grown with time, even whilst the likes of LG and Huawei have armed their new signature devices to the hilt, and are gearing up for a strong showing this flagship season.

And if you’ve recently purchased an iPhone 7 Plus (or any recent iPhone model) and still haven’t gotten a case for it yet, consider these impact cases from U.S.-based accessory maker Trident Case. They are durable, made of quality materials, and offer great value without hurting your wallet. You could also extend the budget to get yourself some Privacy filters for iPhones, this will make sure no one but you can see what you’re doing while you’re on your phone.

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We can tell for certain because we’ve been swapping them in and out over the past few weeks while being deliberately reckless with our iPhone, which continues to look and function at its best despite all the bumps and drops it has endured as of late. So, on to the three Trident cases for the iPhone 7 Plus that we’ve used and are still using.

Trident Case Krios for the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6 Plus, and iPhone 6s Plus

The Krios provides reasonable impact protection at the cheapest and most basic levels, while not compromising on handling and coverage for the most part. Its transparent looks should appeal to a broader range of users, too. The case is made of rubber and hard plastic, with appropriate-sized cutouts for the top mic, camera system, and mute switch.

It covers the power and volume keys (the latter, separately), making them more pronounced but at the same time allowing you to access them more easily. Trident has also done a fantastic job of keeping the buttons’ lovely tactile response, which is to say we have no issue whatsoever pressing them.

The corners of the Krios are curved, like the iPhone’s, and slightly elevated to cushion falls from as high as 3 feet, or at waistline height, whereas the left and right sides of the case are textured and lend a reassuring grip that most cases lack.

The plastic back has a scratch-resistant finish, which is important to note, as it will keep the case looking pristine, notwithstanding a major accident. Trident has also added a slight lip to the rear to prevent it from scratching. Some may frown at the sizable company logo, but we don’t mind it as much as we probably should.

The bottom edge, meanwhile, leaves the phone exposed to dirt and debris and susceptible to damage should it drop base-first onto an uneven surface. This, to us, is the biggest sticking point here. Although on the plus side, it does make snapping the Krios over the handset a painless experience, which is something we had struggled with with our Speck Presidio clear case.

Trident Case Aegis for the iPhone 7 Plus

The Aegis is a dual-layer case that provides more rugged protection than the Krios, ensuring drop protection up to 6 feet, keeping the Lightning port sealed when not in use — all without adding too much bulk and weight to your iPhone.

It combines a hard back shell with a black silicone core that has a shock-absorbing pattern on the inside and an extra-thick rubber perimeter. It’s plain and understated and lighter than the pictures suggest, not the sort of thing that shouts in the hand or feels cumbersome to use as an everyday case. The back cover is also lightly textured, and portions of the rubber stick out through the outer shell to allow for better handling.

The Aegis keeps all side buttons protected, and their tactile feel isn’t lost when using the case. The rear camera lens (or in the case of the iPhone 7 Plus, lenses), mute switch, and speaker at the bottom are all left exposed. To keep the screen safe, there’s an evident lip around the front, so you don’t have to worry so much about dropping your phone face-down.

Snapping the case into place isn’t terribly difficult, even for first-time users. You just need to stretch the rubber portion over your device, then press down firmly on the sides to seal the deal.

If all you need is some basic protection for your precious iPhone, the Aegis might prove too much. But if you’re after something for the long haul, then you should definitely check it out.

Trident Case Kraken for the iPhone 7 Plus

Finally, there’s the Kraken. It’s the toughest and most functional of the bunch, a case for that certain type of person who is up for all manner of outdoor adventure, or whose work life is rough. It’s also the one that will set you back the most.

So, what do you get? The Kraken is actually a two-piece case. Well, three if you include the belt holster and clip that expands your carrying options and rotates 360 degrees with a series of solid clicks. Much like a gun holster, you can add various firearms in the attachment, for more info on this, you can learn more at Sniper Country. As a daily driver, we found the case adds substantial depth and width to the handset once everything is locked into place.

The first component is a clear silicone interior that fits rather snugly on the iPhone, and thus can be used as a standalone case — albeit at the cost of serious protection. The power button and volume rocker are covered with rubbered pieces. However, the case exposes the mute control, Lightning connector, and speaker and mic holes along the bottom edge, as well as the dual cameras on the back.

The main plastic shell is durable enough to withstand the tortuous circumstance of being dropped from a height of 10 feet. Perhaps importantly, the inclusion of a metal kickstand that works in landscape orientation is great for binge-watching on the go.

The exterior also incorporates a screen protector, which covers nearly the entire face of the device, leaving only the home button, front camera lens, and speaker-slash-earpiece exposed to the elements. Lamentably, the cutout at the top of the screen protector isn’t quite wide enough for purpose, meaning it could get in the way of using the selfie camera and speaker-earpiece combo, even if only by a bit.

It certainly isn’t for everyone, but the Kraken will keep your iPhone safe from ugly falls and tumbles. And for the price, you’re essentially getting two cases instead of one.

The Trident Case Krios, Aegis, and Kraken will run you P999 (about $20), P1,249 ($25), and P2,499 ($50), respectively, from IGIG Center and Lazada Philippines. They will be available at Globe Telecom, Power Mac Center, and Switch stores by April. Trident Case accessories are officially distributed in the Philippines by Synchronization, Inc.

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