We’ve all been there… Dropping our phone on a hard surfaced floor and having to nervously turn it over to see if the screen is broken.
No matter how tough a phone case or screen protector promises to be, it’s always a heart stopping moment when that happens!
The Aneu series of phone cases is one of Otterbox’s more modern releases and it’s designed specifically for the iPhone 12 and all of its iterations.
Otterbox has a reputation in the phone accessories market for producing some highly protective phone cases. If you’re looking for something that’ll stop you worrying about drops and breaks, an Otterbox product is usually a good way to go.
However, there are thousands of cases available from hundreds of different manufacturers that will cost half the price of an Otterbox Aneu, so why is it so popular?
With all that tough competition, Otterbox have been forced to innovate and come up with one of the best iPhone cases you can get.
In this review, we’ll take a look at some of the Aneu series’ best features and see how it shapes up against some of the competition available online.
Design
Looks-wise, the Aneu series complements Apple’s sleek and sophisticated design really well, without being too complicated.
The cases feature a ring all the way around the edge of the phone, which is visible from both sides. Then, depending on what color you select, a different tone makes up the panel on the back of the phone to provide some flair and vibrance.
The button casings on the side of the case also use a different color to the rest of the Aneu.
All these different colors really make the case pop out and grab your attention, but Otterbox have done really well with the color combinations so it doesn’t come off as garish or tacky.
On Amazon, you can get an Aneu case in a choice of 7 different color combinations. These combinations are predetermined by Otterbox so there isn’t really any room for your own customization.
However, there’s definitely plenty of choice to enable you to find something you like the look of.
Because this case series is designed specifically for the iPhone 12 series, the fit around the phone is perfect. All of the button covers line up perfectly with the buttons themselves, the camera is never blocked and the charging and headphone ports are easily accessible.
Not to mention, the case is so thin it’ll feel like a second skin around your phone rather than a bulky, uncomfortable plastic brick in your pocket.
Grip
The edge of the case that goes all the way around the phone is not only highlighted in a different color to the rest of the case, but it’s also made from a different material: rubber.
This edge is the most important part of the phone where grip is concerned. Even if the rest of the phone is made from a slippery, metallic material, you’ll still want something around the edge to make sure you can hold onto it.
This rubber edge isn’t some kind of groundbreaking technology, but it certainly does a good job of providing better grip.
Durability
The material used for the rest of the Aneu cases is a hard polycarbonate, one of the best materials out there when it comes to making durable phone cases.
One of the main benefits of using a polycarbonate case for your phone is that it provides extra protection for the most vulnerable parts of your device.
If you drop your phone and the corner is the first part that hits the ground, you’ll wish you had a polycarbonate case to minimize the damage!
Similarly, the large face on the back of your phone is very thin and vulnerable right in the center, meaning any impact on this area can disrupt the internal mechanisms of the phone.
This can stop it from working properly even if the phone looks ok on the outside. Again, polycarbonate is a good material for preventing this.
One of the downsides to polycarbonate is that it’s not a very shock absorbent material. Impact on a polycarbonate surface of the case is more likely to be transmitted through the phone as well as the case, which can lead to damage.
Thankfully, rubber is a much better material for absorbing shocks and keeping the harsh energy within the case, rather than the phone itself.
The Aneu series uses its rubber ring around the edge not only to provide better grip, but also to make the corners and edges (some of the weaker parts of a smartphone) more shock absorbent.
This rubber, combined with a polycarbonate face, makes the Otterbox Aneu series super durable.
Magsafe Technology
One of the biggest developments in smartphone technology in the last few years has been magsafe technology.
This basically allows you to connect your phone to a charging dock, secure it in place using magnets and charge it without the need for wires.
The possibilities with this technology are pretty much endless. Companies have already brought out accessories to use this tech in your car, attach it to kitchen spaces and so much more.
Brilliantly, the Otterbox Aneu is compatible with magsafe, so you won’t even have to worry about removing the case to charge your phone.
The whole point of the technology is to make using and charging your phone seamless, and without needing to worry about not being able to do both at the same time.
With the Aneu series, you’ll be able to get the most out of your iPhone 12’s cool features and feel like you’re living in the future!
Amazon reviews
Companies will always try and push the best features of their products to convince you to buy them, so it can be difficult sometimes to know exactly what the flaws are.
The best way to understand how good a phone really is, is to look at some of the feedback left by actual customers.
On Amazon, the Otterbox Aneu series has overwhelmingly positive feedback, with an average rating of around 4.4 stars!
Most of the customer reviews highlight how well the case fits and feels. They commend the case for being not too tight and not too loose, as well as working flawlessly with their magsafe charging device.
Many customers also remarked at how the button casings did not inhibit the use of their phone and they were able to press each button without needing any extra force with the case on.
The majority of the negative feedback came from customers who complained of the case not protecting their phone enough from drops.
It is true that Otterbox may have neglected some protective features that are available on other cases to gain some style points (particularly by using the materials they have done).
However, we think it’s safe to say that they’ve done a pretty good job of combining style and protection.
Not to mention, there isn’t a single phone case on the market that will 100% stop your phone from being damaged by dropping it. At least some of the protection always has to be done by the user. Take care of your phones, folks!
Competition
It wouldn’t be fair to ignore some of the Otterbox Aneu’s competition in the online market, so these are some of Amazon’s best sellers in the same specifications:
Spigen Mag Armor
This is a cheaper option than the Otterbox Aneu series and the features that come with it definitely reflect that.
The Spigen Mag Armor is compatible with magsafe charging, just like the Aneu.
However, the blend of different plastic materials leaves it less durable and less protective than the rubber and polycarbonate blend that Otterbox uses.
Also, in terms of style, the Mag Armor provides only one color, black. The design in general isn’t as exciting or attention grabbing as some of the Aneu color combinations.
Though, if you’re specifically looking for a more plain, black case that isn’t too distracting on the eye, this one isn’t bad.
Overall though, this case comes off worse than the Otterbox Aneu. The only real benefit is how much cheaper it is.
Apple Leather Case
This case is produced directly by Apple themselves, so it’s perfectly compatible with any iPhone 12 and magsafe charging technology.
It also allows you to connect other magsafe Apple products to the case, such as an Apple magsafe wallet.
However, the obvious drawback for this product is the leather material. Whilst leather is good for providing a certain aesthetic that a lot of people look for in a case, it’s not a very durable or protective material.
You’ll notice after a while that the leather case will start wearing out and, if you’re constantly using the same magsafe charger, an imprint will also be left on the charger.
If you’re a responsible phone owner and you aren’t worried about dropping it, maybe this phone is for you. It definitely fits a certain aesthetic that a lot of people like, so don’t worry about picking one up if that’s your main concern.
Should You Buy An Otterbox Aneu?
Overall, the answer to this question is a resounding yes. Especially when compared to the other best selling cases on the market, it’s easy to see how well the Aneu series ticks all the boxes, with very few drawbacks.
Of course, the polycarbonate material isn’t perfect for giving protection to your smartphone. However, it does give the case a really stylish look with plenty of color options for you to choose from.
The only other downside to buying this case is that it is one of the more expensive on the market. If you’re looking for a low-budget case to do the basics, you might be better off looking at other products.
However, for the price Otterbox charges, they do provide you with an amazing all-rounder phone case with a host of cool features.