MagSafe is one of those Apple features that should feel perfect, but the reality often falls short. Accessories can shift, slip off, or add more bulk than you want. OpenCase looked at that experience and decided there was a better way. Their design improves how MagSafe accessories attach while keeping the case lightweight and simple. It’s the kind of solution that makes you wonder why Apple didn’t do it this way from the start.
MagSafe Monday: Every Monday, Bradley Chambers looks at the latest and greatest in the MagSafe and wireless charging industry to help you get the most out of your Apple devices that support wireless charging.
What makes OpenCase unique
I love MagSafe and have for years, but the way it works with a lot of iPhone cases can often leave lot to be desired. 9to5Mac reader JOhn Rokos created OpenCase and set out to fix that. At the core of their design is what they call the “Accessory-Hold” area. It is an open space on the back of the case that holds MagSafe accessories more securely than any traditional case by letting it attach directly to the iPhone. This simple idea solves two of the biggest complaints with MagSafe: thickness and movement.
Adding a MagSafe accessory to the back of a typical case stacks up bulk quickly. Case plus accessory adds thickness, and it is often more than you would expect. OpenCase takes a different approach by removing the material between the phone and the accessory. This saves around 2.5mm of thickness, which does not sound like much until you try to fit your phone into a pocket that is already tight.
Magnent strength can vary as MagSafe accessories can move around a lot. Whether you are using them on a caseless iPhone or with a standard case, they almost always shift out of place. Sometimes they fall off completely. OpenCase fixes this by giving accessories a dedicated space to sit in (template area). The Accessory-Hold area surrounds the accessory on all four sides, which means it stays in place and does not slide around. It also makes it easy to swap out a wallet for a pop socket at the end of the day, etc.
OpenCase accessories
There is no shortage of MagSafe wallets on the market, but OpenCase takes a unique approach with its MagSafe Wallet. It is designed to sit inside the Accessory Hold area on the OpenCase, so it does not just stick to your phone. It locks in place. That means no sliding, shifting, or accidental drops. In my testing, it holds two credit cards with your driver’s license and stays slim enough to keep your phone pocket-friendly.
This next product is where the modular focus of OpenCase is great. Let’s say you want to carry your iPhone without any accessories on the back, but still want it to look and feel complete. That is where FillerPlate comes in. It snaps into the Accessory Hold area when you are not using MagWallet or anything else, keeping the case smooth and iPhone protected. It also keeps dust and lint out of the open space.
If you’re a pop socket fan, OpenCase also has you covered. The OpenCase PopHolder keeps things clean. It attaches inside the Accessory Hold area like everything else in the system, so it stays put and does not move around. You get a solid grip when you need it and a built-in kickstand when you want to prop up your phone.
Wrap up
Overall, OpenCase is a well-executed take on MagSafe that creates a new ecosystem of useful and easy-to-use accessories. After launching with a Kickstarter campaign, all rewards have been fulfilled, and its online store is now open. The OpenCase case strikes a great balance by offering solid protection without adding unnecessary bulk. The accessory lineup is a strong start, and I hope to see it expand with even more options in the future.
Learn more about OpenCase.
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