The OnePlus 5 is a speedy, slick smartphone that provides great value for the money. Compared to the top end of the market, it’s one of the best cheap phones you can buy, though, it’s not what you’d call a “rugged device.” There’s no water resistance here, and that slim, curved chassis is slippery to say the least. You’ve also got a protruding camera to worry about. If you pick up one of the best OnePlus 5 cases, however, you can relax knowing your new phone is well protected. To get the most from your new phone, you may also want to check out our OnePlus 5 camera tips.
Rhinoshield Crashguard Bumper ($25)
Rhinoshield’s thick bumpers are designed to provide protection where you need it most — on the corners and frame of your phone. The Crashguard is tested for falls of up to around 10 feet, so if you drop your OnePlus 5, it should be safe. The back and front are left open to the elements, but curved edges extend beyond the profile of your phone to ensure neither touches down. There are chunky button covers, which tend to be a little stiff at first, and over-sized openings for your phone’s ports, so there’s no problems with third-party chargers or headphones.
Noreve Tradition B Leather Case ($55)
If you’re looking for handcrafted, leather cases in a wide variety of different colors and finishes, you need to check out Noreve’s wares. They don’t come cheap, but these padded wallet cases have two card slots, a secure magnetic closure, and a super-soft lining. They also provide 360-degree protection, with a snug shell that holds your phone in place, and have all the openings you need for easy access to ports, buttons, and your phone’s camera.
Ringke Fusion Case ($12)
One of the reasons you choose your phone is because of how it looks, which is why we’re big fans of transparent cases. The problem is that they rarely offer much in the way of protection. Luckily, Ringke’s Fusion case bucks that trend, offering solid, military-grade protection by combining a TPU bumper with a clear, polycarbonate back. The bumper comes in one of several varieties (clear, smoky black, and rose gold), has a raised edge to safeguard your screen, and sports tactile button and port covers to keep dust out.
Nillkin Frosted Shield Case ($9)
This is one of the slimmest cases on our list, however, it doesn’t provide the best drop protection. What it can do is deflect scrapes and minor bumps, and enhance your grip with a textured back that reduces the chances of you dropping your phone in the first place. There are also generous cut-outs for your phone’s buttons, ports, and camera, so you can use your device as you normally would. It currently comes in black, red, white, or gold.
Olixar Leather-Style Wallet Case ($17)
If you want a wallet case with a leather look, but you’re working with a limited budget, then this Olixar case could be for you. The textured exterior isn’t made of real leather, but it looks convincing, regardless if you opt for the black or brown offering. Inside there’s room for two credit cards, and the cover folds back to act as a landscape stand. It also utilizes a slim, plastic shell to hold your phone in place, as well as soft interior lining. There’s even a secure flap closure and accurate cut-outs for your phone’s camera and other features.
Tudia Dual Layer Case ($13)
Most rugged, protective cases combine an inner layer of malleable TPU with a hard polycarbonate shell on the outside, and Tudia’s case is no exception. The case’s flexible interior sports chunky button covers, accurate openings, and a textured pattern on the sides for enhanced grip. The back panel goes on top and comes in black, mint, metallic gray, or rose gold. There’s also a raised lip around the screen, in case you place your phone face down.
OtterBox Case ($30)
We’re pleased to see OnePlus partnering with OtterBox because it means there’s a decent, rugged case on offer in time for release. This isn’t as protective as something like the OtterBox Defender, but it is going to guard against most drops and bumps. The inner layer is soft, black silicone and there’s a hard, polycarbonate shell, in black or red, that goes around the outside. The fit is perfect and you’ll find a nice big tapered cut-out to ensure there’s no interference with the dual lens camera.
Official OnePlus 5 Protective Cases ($20+)
The range of official cases is quite varied, but they’re all minimalist shells with cut-outs for buttons, ports, and camera. The simple, polycarbonate, sandstone case will cost you $20, or you can pay another $5 for wood or Kevlar — we like the rosewood finish best. As we mentioned in our OnePlus 5 review, this is a very svelte phone, so the official cases are ideal if you don’t want to add bulk, but the flip-side of that is that they only offer limited protection.
Official OnePlus 5 Flip Cover ($20)
There is also a simple, fake leather, folio-style wallet case available for the OnePlus 5. It’s a shame that it’s made of polyurethane and not real leather, but that’s reflected in the price. Open the cover and you’ll find a thin plastic shell that hugs the corners of your phone to keep it in place. You have free access to all the ports and controls, and there’s a generous opening on the back for the camera. The cover also has a single slot for a credit card or ID. This one comes in gray or black.
Dretal Defender Case ($8)
Here’s a case that certainly won’t break the bank. This offering combines an inner TPU layer that’s flexible and shock absorbent with a hard, plastic outer shell. There’s a slight lip to protect the screen and cut-outs for the ports and camera. The stand out feature is the kickstand on the back, which allows you to prop it in landscape view. This one comes in blue, red, gray, silver, or gold. We wouldn’t expect the greatest quality at this price, but if you blew your budget on the phone it might do.
Update: Added cases from Rhinoshield, Noreve, Ringke, Nillkin, Olixar, and Tudia.
