iPhone case adds bulk but keeps credit cards on lockdown [Reviews]

As a victim of a poorly-made iPhone wallet case that lost my ID and credit card, I’m always wary when I try a new one. I like carrying my valuables with my iPhone so I don’t need a secondary wallet, but I really like hanging onto my stuff even more.

The Urban Armor Gear Trooper case takes great pains to secure three to four plastic cards (and a bit of cash) in its roomy interior and provides a locking door that acts like a mini safe — nothing’s gonna fall out of this wallet case.

That said, this case is beefy. It’s a monster of a case that brings to mind the protectiveness of something like a LifeProof or OtterBox, though not quite as intense. It’s also got this roomy interior on its back side, like a vault door that puts your credit cards on lockdown.

This is a pretty big contrast with other wallet cases I’ve used or reviewed, each of which tried to thin things down enough to make putting my iPhone 6 Plus in my front pocket easier. The UAG Trooper, however, is not an easy pocket companion. It tries, though, with rounded edges and a smooth exterior that doesn’t get stuck on my pocket while I’m putting it away.

It’s also really hard to tell that it’s a wallet case, which adds to the security of it all. With other slide-in wallet cases, it’s obvious that you’re carrying your credit and cash on the back of your iPhone. This just looks like a massively protective case.

I’ve dropped it a couple of times, and it surely is protected. The volume and sleep/wake buttons are fully encased by the polycarbonate plastic mold, while the mute switch and headphone jack, Lightning port, and speaker on the bottom of my iPhone are open to the air enough for use; my headphones don’t require an adapter either — a welcome respite from the tyranny of overprotective iPhone cases.

The vault-like door on the back is snapped tight when closed — it takes quite a bit of effort to open it, which can be a bit embarrassing in the checkout line. Even the clerk who bags my groceries gave me a “hurry up” look the last time I tried to get my debit card out to pay for a loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter.

Every time I open it, I’m afraid my cash and cards are going to fly all over the place. Apparently, the designers thought this through, as well, since there’s a subtle little lip on the inside portion of the case where you store your cards. This keeps them inside the main section of the Trooper when you have to yank open the little door.

Ultimately, this iPhone case is the most secure and rugged combination for keeping my credit cards and cash with my smartphone I’ve seen. Sure, it’s a little chubby and takes a bit more effort to get credit cards out of than most, but keeping my important stuff with me has to trump fashion sometimes.

The UAG Trooper is available for $39.95 for the iPhone 6/6S and $49.95 for the iPhone 6/6S Plus, and it comes in black, white and rust red.

Urban Armor Gear provided Cult of Mac with a free review unit for this article. Learn about more lust-worthy products.

Rob LeFebvre

Rob LeFebvre is an Anchorage, Alaska-based writer and editor who has contributed to various tech, gaming and iOS sites, including 148Apps, Creative Screenwriting, Shelf-Awareness, VentureBeat, and Paste Magazine. Feel free to find Rob on Twitter @roblef, and send him a cookie once in a while; he’ll really appreciate it.