Book case or back cover: which format suits you
Two formats share most of the case market between them. One folds over the display and holds cards, the other sits only on the back and leaves the phone as slim as it was built. Which is better depends on three questions from daily life.
What each one does
A folio case, called a book case, flip case or wallet depending on the maker, protects the display even when the phone shares a bag with your keys. Two or three cards fit inside, and opened out the device stands up on its own for a video. It also makes the phone around eight millimetres thicker and twice as heavy.
A back cover covers the back and the edges, nothing more. It stays slim, fits any car mount and allows wireless charging. The display is protected only by the raised lip and, if fitted, a tempered glass.
| Folio case | Back cover | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen protection in a bag | complete | the lip only |
| Cards carried | two to three | none |
| Wireless charging | open or remove the case | directly |
| Added thickness | around 8 mm | 1 to 3 mm |
| Photography | the flap gets in shot | unobtrusive |
The three questions that decide it
Do you charge wirelessly? Then a folio is a nuisance. Most models with card slots shield the charging coil, so you would have to take the phone out every time. Wallets with a detachable back shell solve exactly that: cards attached when you need them, shell alone when you charge.
Do you take a lot of photos? A flap dangling into the frame is the most common reason folio cases end up in a drawer after two weeks. Some models have a magnet that holds the flap against the back.
How heavy may it be? A back cover weighs 20 to 40 grams, a faux-leather folio 70 to 100. In a trouser pocket you feel that all day.
Who makes what
Most of our folio cases come from Hanman, LC.IMEEKE and DG.MING, who specialise in wallet designs. For slim back shells, DUX Ducis and X-Level cover the breadth, while iCarer occupies the genuine-leather niche. What card slots mean for the safety of your cards is in wallet cases: cards in your phone, and the material question is covered in case materials compared.