Updated January 8, 2022
If you’re a carry-on traveller or light packer, chances are there are several multipurpose items on your packing list. Does that include a wallet phone case? If not, or you’re looking to upgrade your phone or a case, the following list of features of an ideal wallet phone case for travel might help you in your search.
What’s a wallet phone case?
A wallet phone case combines the functionality of a wallet and a protective cover for your phone. It contains one or more slots or pockets to house things normally carried in a wallet or purse.
Folio designs open like a book, providing protection for both the front and back of a phone.
Slim versions typically cover the back of the phone, and may have features offering minimal protection for the front.
Benefits of a wallet phone case
The main benefit of a phone case is to protect your phone from harm.
It provides protection from dirt, dust, pollution, germs, rainfall, and sun. It offers a measure of protection from damage as a result of falls or scratches.
It can extend a phone’s working life. It might increase resale value when upgrading.
Different designs and colours can add a touch of style, or be changed to reflect one’s mood or wardrobe.
At a glance, it helps distinguish a phone from others.
A wallet phone case offers the compact convenience of not having to carry both a wallet and a phone. It can also act as a storage unit, or another place to stash emergency cash.
In the slot, pocket, or vault, carry an emergency contact card, a piece of ID, a financial card and some cash when you don’t want to carry a wallet or purse. If you drive, it’s a great place to stow your driver’s licence.
When inserting a local SIM card, tape your home SIM and SIM card remover tool to the inside of the cover. Or, look for a thin holder with slots for SIM cards and a removal tool. With your home SIM and SIM card remover tool behind your phone, It will be at your fingertips as soon as you return to your home country. Chances are you’ll be connected to your home network by the time you reach the terminal.
At home or while travelling, carry a single bill to use in an emergency. It could come in handy when other payment methods aren’t accepted, or if a credit card terminal isn’t working. Make sure it doesn’t have any markings or damage, and is a currency and denomination that can be easily used or changed.
Features of an ideal wallet phone case for travel
It fits your phone. Chances are it will, if it’s rated for a specific make and model.
It looks good, but not so good that it’s a magnet for pickpockets. Without sacrificing durability and functionality, look for something inexpensive and unpretentious.
It securely holds two to three cards and a banknote.
Cards are easy to access, but not so easy that one could inadvertently slip out.
It feels good, and is easy to grip and hold. Look for a textured anti-slip surface and side grip.
It’s compatible with a wireless charging pad, if you use one. Remove your financial and identity cards before charging. Otherwise, they might become unreadable after being subjected to electromagnetic induction.
The fit is snug, but flexible enough for the case to be removed without much difficulty.
It doesn’t limit the phone’s functionality, allowing complete access to the screen, camera, ports, and controls. Look for references such as “tactile click buttons” or “optimized button profile.” Grappling with hard-to-click buttons is annoying. Also, if you have an external battery with integrated charging cords, check that those cords are compatible with the case.
It’s made of durable materials capable of absorbing shock on impact. Look for reinforced corner bumpers, or air-pocket corners that act as tiny airbags for your phone.
A raised bezel on the side grip offers a measure of protection for the screen.
It doesn’t add unnecessary bulk or weight. Check the specifications for the unit’s weight, and decide if it’s one you can tolerate.
RFID-blocking technology offers protection against electronic pickpocketing of identity and financial cards.
The surface can accommodate a lost-and-found tag , if you use them.
Grab a phone tether tab
A phone tether tab is a handy little accessory that sits behind a phone in its case. The tab has an attachment point that protrudes through the charging slot, allowing a leash to be attached and tethered to a secure attachment point in a pocket, purse, or bag.
Its main function is to prevent damage, loss, and theft. For travellers, it’s a useful addition to a collection of anti-pickpocket gear.
There are lots on the market. Mine is from COCASES.
My wallet phone case journey
After several missteps, I finally have something that works for me. It’s my best wallet phone case for travel, so far. In the event it helps, here’s a brief description of my phone case journey and what I learned along the way.
My first smartphone case wasn’t the ‘wallet’ variety. It was a clunky case built like a tank to protect my new iPhone 3G. After all, I needed the ultimate protection for such a valuable investment. It seemed like a good choice at the time, but it was terrible for travel.
Next came a cheap silicone case for the iPhone 5S. By this time, I’d figured out that smartphones were valuable travelling companions, especially for light packers. They were, and are, as useful for what they can take on a trip as what can be left at home. A slot for a couple of cards meant I could travel purse free when circumstances warranted. Unfortunately, ‘cheap’ translated into a tired, somewhat grimy look over time and an on/off button that took some persuasion to do its job. Otherwise, it sold me on the concept of a wallet phone case.
Between ordering my iPhone X and picking it up at the Apple Store, I made a hurried purchase of a Poetic Nubuck case. It featured a hidden slot with pull-tab access.
I don’t recommend this design. The slot and pull strap were made of leather that became more pliable with use. The day my driver’s licence slipped out and fell at my feet was the day I moved to my current purchase.
My present case is a Silk iPhone X/XS Wallet Case – Wallet Slayer Vol. 1. It has a feature I like in a pocket — different sized openings on each side so a card can be pushed or pulled out of the card slot. At 40.8 grams (1.4 ounces), it’s built for packing light. Plus, it’s reasonably priced at 18.99 CAD ($14.99 USD). The glowing reviews helped with my decision. The pocket holds three items securely: driver’s licence, laminated emergency contact card, and one financial card. A single bill for emergency use is kept inside the cover.
I’m not a fan of the folio design, as I picture the front cover getting in the way. But, my spouse loves it on his iPhone 7. He grew to appreciate the silicone case of his inherited 5S. He liked the basic protection, but most of all he liked the convenience of always having his driver’s licence in the slot. With the extra pockets in the folio for financial cards, he loves going wallet free.
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