PITAKA Aramid Fiber iPhone 7 Case: Beautiful, Bulletproof Protection

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It would be impossible for me to guess how many iPhone cases I’ve reviewed over the years, but I can count the number that have genuinely impressed me on one hand; the PITAKA Aramid Fiber iPhone 7 Case makes that list. It’s incredibly light and thin, and it provides minimalistic protection with no compromises.

Inside the package, you’ll find the PITAKA Aramid case, a tempered glass screen protector, a microfiber cloth, an alcohol wipe, and a dust removal sticker. Everything you need to protect your phone from drops and scratches is included.

At first glance, the PITAKA case looks like carbon fiber, but it is made of Aramid. Unlike carbon fiber, Aramid does nothing to block radio waves, so you won’t sacrifice signal strength for that woven carbon fiber look and protection we all love. Aramid is fire resistant, scratch resistant, and it doesn’t show fingerprints; its color won’t fade, and it is super strong.

According to Wikipedia, “Aramid fibers are a class of heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibers. They are used in aerospace and military applications, for ballistic-rated body armor fabric and ballistic composites, in bicycle tires, and as an asbestos substitute. The name is a portmanteau of “aromatic polyamide”.”

The PITAKA Aramid case weighs 0.4 ounces or 11 grams; if you are holding it in your hand it feels nearly weightless, and the weave is comfortable, non-slippery, and yet smooth enough that it won’t grip material when you slide it into a pocket. Available for the iPhone 6 series, iPhone 7 series, and the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, the PITAKA case is available in seven color weave combinations. I was sent what they describe as “black/gray (plain)”, but that description doesn’t begin to do it justice.

The tempered glass screen protector is easily installed by wiping the screen down with the alcohol prep wipe and then drying it with the microfiber cloth. I removed the backing off the protector and lined the bottom hole up with the iPhone’s home button; laying the protector down from there made it line up perfectly, and I used the microfiber cloth to wipe out any bubbles.

The iPhone slips easily yet securely into the case. There are cutouts to ensure unfettered access to the buttons; all corners are covered, and I love that the bottom is left open so that any aftermarket cable can be used.

It’s hard to describe the lovely tactile feel of the smooth woven Aramid fibers; you’ll have to take my word for it. An added bonus is that with the case on, the iPhone won’t rock when laid on a table; the protruding camera is protected by a ridged ring that balances the top half of the iPhone when it’s laid flat.

Having the PITAKA Aramid case on my jet black iPhone 7 Plus is the closest thing to carrying it naked, and I love it.

Your phone is beautiful and sexy, but it doesn’t matter. You ruin it with a case anyway since most of the cases on the market are ugly, bulky and advertised to be military-grade protection, that, in my opinion, you don’t need it in the real world. It is why I finally designed the case with Aramid, a material for body armour. It adds the protection for daily use, while keeps the simplicity, beauty, and grip of the phone. – Yutaka Izubuchi, Designer/Founder of PITAKA

If you love the sexy curves of your iPhone, and you hate the idea of covering them with a heavy, bulky case, you will love the PITAKA Aramid iPhone case. Give it a try, you will not be disappointed.

The PITAKA Aramid iPhone case retails for $47.99 (iPhone 7)/$49.99 (iPhone 7 Plus), and it’s available directly from the manufacturer.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Incredibly thin and light; Does not add weight or bulk to the iPhone; Corner and back protection; Included tempered glass screen protector; Aramid fiber is strong (and beautiful) like carbon fiber, but it does not block radio signals; Opening on bottom allows the use of any after-market cable; Available in seven different Aramid color weaves

What Needs Improvement: Nothing — the case exactly as described

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About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She started in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie is best known for her device-agnostic approach, deep-dive reviews, and enjoyment of exploring the latest tech, gadgets, and gear.