| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong MagSafe grip | Unusable camera control button |
| Built-in rotating kickstand | Won’t survive a face first drop |
| Good corner drop performance | Bulky |
| Stylish metallic buttons | No bottom magnets |
| Reduced rainbowing on back | Not that rigid |
Spigen Ultra Hybrid S would’ve been the perfect clear case if it weren’t for two fatal flaws. We’re honestly annoyed with Spigen for this one. As part of our ongoing testing of 50 iPhone cases to find the top five, the Ultra Hybrid S looked like a promising upgrade. But after 30 controlled drops and a full round of bend, grip, and MagSafe tests, it’s clear Spigen got close… but missed the mark.
How We Test
30+ drops per case | 6+ metrics recorded per impact | 100% independently tested
Our goal is to find out what cases are actually best for your iPhone. We don’t base our reviews on any of the marketing a company wants you to believe. We’re reviewers, not influencers.
Our case testing procedure for the iPhone 17’s:
- Buy the case ourselves
- Measure all the physical dimensions of the case:
- Weight
- Size
- Back rigidity
- Corner/Back Thickness
- Corner compression
- Rank the handling and access of the iPhone in the case
- Perform magnetic strength tests using a force meter
- Perform audio tests (if needed using a DB meter)
- Perform 30 corner, face and camera lump drop tests. This data is collected from the iPhone’s accelerometer and gyroscope. We’ve built custom drop rigs to ensure every drop almost identical. To gauge the iPhone’s protective abilities, we measure:
- Average peak deceleration
- Average decay rate
- Average impulse
- Average max rotation
- Average angular displacement
- Average settling time
- After we collect all the data, we then run it through or scoring formula to figure out how well the case ranks.
We’ve got a few more ideas to implement for the next round of iPhone’s including more data collection during drops as well as high speed camera photos of the initial impacts.
Design
| Metric | Value | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 63 g | 45 g |
| Added Case Thickness | 53% | 51% |
| Added Overlook Bulk | 66% | 66% |
The Ultra Hybrid S looks like your typical clear case at first glance, but it’s chunkier than most. The back panel is thicker, yet the camera lump still feels squishy. There’s a built-in rotating kickstand which is an idea that sounds better on paper than in practice. It doesn’t add much functionality, and it makes the case heavier and bulkier, clocking in at 63 g (the average is around 50 g) and making your iPhone feel 66 % bigger. That’s mid-range bulk for a clear case, but you’ll notice it.
The Ultra Hybrid S isn’t just another thin clear case. It’s got some real heft. The back measures 3.3 mm thick with 2.1 mm corners, plus Spigen’s usual (but unlabeled) air cushions. The small internal gap between the phone and case helps minimize rainbowing on the back. Despite the thicker shell, rigidity only improved slightly. Bending the case to 8 mm took 31 N, which is just 8 % better than average. Still, it’s a sturdier build than most transparent cases in its price range.
Accessibility & Handling
| Metric | Value | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Grip | Slightly tacky TPU edges; glossy back | – |
| Buttons | Metallic integrated; rounded shape, no real camera control button | – |
| MagSafe Strength | Pull 10.1 N / Push 11.2 N | 10.1 N |
Grip is classic Spigen TPU. It’s slightly tacky and easy to hold. The new metallic buttons look great, with even a red accent on the Action button. But Spigen completely dropped the ball with the camera control button. Instead of an actual button, there’s just a molded piece of plastic, making Apple’s sliding control awkward and frustrating to use. Even the cheaper Ultra Hybrid handled this better. It’s one of those “why did they do this?” moments.
MagSafe strength hits 10.1 N to pull and 11.2 N to push which is about 11 % stronger than average. However, because of the stand’s design, the bottom magnets are missing. That means accessories, especially wallets, might rotate more easily. It’s fine for grips, but not ideal if you rely on magnetic attachments.
Protection
| Metric | Value | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Back Thickness | 3.3 mm | 2.4 mm |
| Corner Thickness | 2.1 mm | 2.9 mm |
| Air Pockets | Present | 10.1 N |
| Rigidity | 31.0 N | 29 N |
| Initial Impact | 9.341 G | 10.3 G |
| Rotation Rate | 210.26°/s | 300°/s |
| Time to Settle | 0.390 s | 0.53 s |
| Settling Rate | 0.207 s⁻¹ | 0.24 s⁻¹ |
| Total Force | 1.279 Ns | 1.5 Ns |
Here’s where things get interesting. Corner drops registered an initial impact of 9.3 G and rotation after camera-side impacts was 24 % lower. That means it absorbs shock fairly well. The thicker corners definitely help, even if the settling rate was 10 % worse. Overall, total impact force was 13 % lower than average which is impressive for a clear case.
But then it failed the face-first test. The screen protector made direct contact with the table, ending any hope of a perfect score. The camera-lump test also told a mixed story: while the large TPU bumper helped stabilize vibration quickly, the initial impact was still higher than expected. So it’s a mix of “great corner drop protection” and “don’t drop it face-down.”
Value
For what it costs, the Spigen Ultra Hybrid S delivers above-average durability, premium looks, and a rotating stand most clear cases don’t offer. But the flawed camera control button and failed face-first protection test hold it back. It sits right on the line between budget and mid-tier quality. It’s good enough for everyday use, but not the “tough clear case” Spigen’s marketing suggests.
Verdict
Would we buy it if we weren’t reviewers? Honestly, no. That camera control button alone is a dealbreaker. If you’re careful and don’t drop your phone face-down, this case might work for you, especially if you want a clear case with a kickstand and solid MagSafe strength. But if protection is your top priority, Spigen has better options. The Ultra Hybrid S is decent, not great and definitely not the upgrade we hoped for.