Beats iPhone 17 Pro Rugged Case is a Great Option for Protection

Since the launch of the iPhone 17 Pro, I’ve been running with one of Beats’ Rugged Case options. Getting a new phone is like unwrapping a toy for the first time, and protecting it against damage is always a priority for me.

The iPhone 17 Pro deviates from the use of titanium and reintroduces an aluminum chassis. While I have been a fan of the use of aluminum in the past, it’s hard to argue that iPhone 15 and iPhone 16’s use of titanium made for a durable frame. The re-adoption of aluminum has some users on edge, and while not wanting to dance with the devil, I’ve decided to use a case for the time being.

Now, Apple has released its new TechWoven case for the iPhone 17 Pro, which has become a popular option. However, Beats’ $115 Rugged Case is going under the radar and deserves to be discussed.

Beats’ case is made with a super durable, ultrastrong polymer material, encompassing the back and sides. This creates what the company calls a ‘triple-shot’ design, where the back and sides of the device are fully covered and protected. There’s also a sizeable protective lip over the front, protecting the already durable Ceramic Glass display.

The Beats iPhone 17 Pro Rugged Case that I have been sporting is the ‘Sierra Orange’ colourway, complementing the very loud and very beautiful ‘Cosmic Orange’ iPhone 17 Pro. It’s a bit more fluorescent than the colour of the iPhone. It’s almost comparable to a traffic cone or safety vest. If you’re looking for subtlety, this is certainly not the colour for you. Though I couldn’t ask for a better colour. Even in dark lighting conditions, the Beats iPhone 17 Pro Rugged case pops.

The design of the Beats case is overall pretty simplistic. It has a large cutout on the rear to support the new horizontal camera bar. There’s a small lip around the camera array to protect the three lenses from scrapes or damage when placed on a surface. Along the sides are sturdy buttons on the sides to support volume control, the Action Button, and Camera Control. Plus, the Rugged Case is MagSafe compatible, so you can throw on a battery pack or wallet accessory.

One of the best features of the case is the textured matte pattern on the bottom half. This texture wraps around the case and provides a non-slip grip when holding the phone. It feels pretty secure in my hand, even after the gym when my palms can be understandably sweaty. The material is also great at reducing smudges and fingerprints. Beats also built the case with shock-absorbing sidewalls and corners to protect from drops.

In the past five days of use, I’ve felt as though my iPhone 17 Pro has been well protected while at home, at the gym, or out taking photos. Now, I haven’t gone out of my way to drop the device intentionally. But I have accidentally let it slide off the couch a couple of times and didn’t have a panic attack.

The only downside to the use of the Beats iPhone 17 Pro Rugged Case is the added weight to the device. Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro on its own weighs 206 grams, six grams heavier than its predecessor. The Beats case adds an additional 42.1 grams to the mix. I can feel the additional weight when I find myself doomscrolling. The heft on the wrist is something that you might want to take into consideration.

Beats’ iPhone 17 Pro Rugged Case is a case to strongly consider if you’re looking to protect your new device. It’s currently available in the aforementioned Sierra Orange, Everest Forest, Rocky Blue, and Alpine Grey.