‘I tried a high-tech phone case and charger set and couldn't believe what it was made from'
Pitaka has won fans for its Samsung and Apple friendly cases and there’s a little-known way to save 10% on the brand
As a devoted iPhone user, I have spent more money than I care to think about on cases and travel chargers for my phone. From chunky, highly protective options from brands like Otterbox paired with glass screen protectors , to thinner but brightly designed Skinnydip options , striking the balance between functionality, security and weight has been a constant battle.
Pitaka is one of the more premium case options on the market and has caused a stir with shoppers of both the latest Apple and Samsung phones, with iPhone 17 and S25 users alike praising the brand for their Aramid fibre covers which are thin but still protective and come in a rainbow of colours.
Aramid is a strong, heat-resistant man-made fibre known for being lightweight and damageproof. Most commonly used for things like bulletproof vests (Kevlar is an Aramid brand name) and even aerospace components, it has become a popular, albeit premium, option for phone cases over recent years.
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As someone who has damaged her phone by dropping it several times, even within huge clunky cases, swapping to something so thin has felt incredibly counter-intuitive but having made the change I wouldn’t go back. The case is so thin it feels like it's not there at all, but the grain of the woven style eases any worries of dropping it as it makes it non slip, even when using your phone walking along in rain when everything’s a bit wet.
Meanwhile, the matching Aramid power bank offers 5000mAh of charge in an ultrathin and lightweight case which is enough to fully charge my iPhone without needing to bring a cable around. While at £59.99 and £69.99 respectively these gadgets are definitely a considered purchase, the joy of them is using the pair together.
Not only do the ultra strong magnets ensure that when the charger is attached to the case they don't come apart, even when jostled in my bag, but the combined depth is just 2cm (I measured it), making the phone still easy to hold comfortably while charging without worrying about dropping it.
The flexibility and lightness of the set made it a dream to carry around and meant I didn't have the inevitable feeling you get sometimes of wondering how on earth your handbag is so heavy when you're carting around a charger, cables and other bits and bobs.
The convenience is impressive but by streamlining everything there is one issue which is that it's not as easy as with some chargers to see how much power you have left in the battery, with no option for a tiny display to give you a percentage remaining on the item.
If that is a deal breaker a more classic Anker Power Bank like this one, is still magsafe compatible but has a smart display which explains how much charge is left and also how long it will take., might be a better option Meanwhile, a more traditional unbranded cable charger is 87% off on Amazon for Prime members. However, much to my surprise after several weeks getting use to the lighter weight and thin silhouette which means I can tuck both phone and charger in my jeans pocket together, I'm firmly converted.
Amazon shoppers have given the iPhone case an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on more than 400 reviews, with many praising the premium quality and minimalistic design. While my case is an older iPhone, one shopper praised the iPhone 17 case for having a 'flawless finish,' explaining: "This case for the iPhone 17 Pro Max is honestly one of the best I’ve tried. The fit is absolutely spot on — it snaps on perfectly with no gaps or loose corners. The buttons all line up nicely and the camera button, in particular, feels really nice to use.
"The finish is a bit smoother than older versions, which actually makes it feel better in the hand and easier to slide in and out of my pocket without catching on anything. Even though it’s super slim, it doesn’t feel flimsy at all. The case gives me solid protection without turning my phone into a brick. The raised edges around the screen and the camera lenses make a big difference too — I can put my phone down on a table without worrying about the screen or lenses touching the surface.
"On top of that, it just looks clean and premium. It’s one of those cases that feels like it belongs on the phone instead of hiding it.
"I really like that it adds protection without spoiling the sleek look of the 17 Pro Max. If you’re after a case that’s slim, smooth, protective, and just feels right in daily use, I’d say this one ticks all the boxes."
One four star reviewer did give a word of warning for shoppers who might want to repeatedly remove the phone from the case, saying: "I have happily used Pitaka cases on my IPhones since the IPhone X. However, I am concerned that because the cases are never easy to remove damage may occur if you try to remove the case for cleaning etc. This is not a criticism of the case but Apple’s choice to use an anodised aluminum unibody on their flagship phones."
While Pitaka's site doesn't have reviews, shoppers have given the brand a 4.6 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot for its products and customer service and it's well worth buying the accessories from the retailer direct as, as well as free P&P and a 30 day return window you can get 10% off your first purchase if you sign up for the brand's newsletter, giving you a chance to save up to £13 if you buy the case, charger or both ahead of Black Friday.