AOHi Phone Case Review

Heavy-duty solution for the slick new toy

I haven’t used AOHi products before, but I’ve had my fair share of phone cases and have put some of the big hitters through their paces. I know a phone case can feel like a bit of a flippant thing when you’ve got a flashy new phone in your hand and a gaping hole in your bank account, but these things matter…

I was struck by the packaging of AoHi’s 16 Pro Max case and screen protector. It looked slick and smooth and gave me confidence out of the gate. If as much care went into the phone case as with the packaging then I suspect I’ll be well looked after. 

The package included, as you’d expect, the actual phone case, some printed information about the P4U polymer material and Non-Newtonian fluid used in the case, and even a little lip-gloss-sized pot of what I assume is said substance. An interesting move. The pot contained a sample of yellow putty-like material that’s soft and gooey to the touch until you start getting rough with it, which is when it solidifies. This is to illustrate just how good the protective material is intended to be and while I have no idea if it actually works it’s fun to play with. The glass screen protector came in similar packaging, but instead of a science lesson, it included nice clear instructions on the installation process. Along with the screen protector and the plastic chassis to aid installation. 

Screen protectors can be a nightmare to install. We know this. Little bits of dust or the rogue air bubble can cause a whole lot of stress. I’m happy to report that the installation of this one was simple, straightforward, and effective. You wipe down your phone with the included stickers, wipe, and microfibre cloth, place the dust-free cabin over the top, press down, then pull the tab on the dust removal strip. Give it 30 seconds, remove the dust-free cabin and job’s done. I was pretty impressed. I’ve messed up this kind of thing before and even watched staff at Apple stores struggle, but this was surprisingly easy. As of yet, toddler be damned, the screen protector has remained crack, scratch, and air bubble-free. 

The case is a big boy. I’m using the iPhone 16 Pro Max and when you put this heavy-duty case on the otherwise sleek tech of an iPhone suddenly looks like it belongs in a toolbox. This isn’t a criticism; I quite like it, but it definitely leaves me feeling like this might not be a case for those who might be looking for something a bit more stylish. There’s a healthy lip around the front of the case which leaves the device feeling well protected, especially with the screen protector installed. I would say that the bulk does leave some potential issues around the USB-C port. Most of my Apple cables fit fine but accessories are an issue. I use a Backbone game controller, for example, and that’s a big no-go. 

The cameras are protected with an alloy frame that keeps the lenses (hopefully) snug and safe without covering them with cheap plastic. I’ve use the camera a lot and haven’t seen anything weird caused by the alloy frame. I’ve had odd light anomalies with this kind of case before, and so other than the slightly off-putting “FUTURE” engraved into the metal, this is a pretty good addition. On the subject of cameras, AOHi have done what I think is the smart thing and avoided potential issues with Apple’s new ‘Camera Control’ button by simply cutting a hole for it. The cutout and the overall grooves and edges around it mean it’s nice and easy to access the iPhones new button. Assuming that’s something you might actually do, of course. 

Elsewhere on the device, there are a few little touches like the comfort cutouts on the case that make it nicer in the hand, a lanyard hole, painted silver buttons, and MagSafe functionality that come together to make it a really great little package. I haven’t had any issues with wireless charging overall either, both with MagSafe chargers and regular Qi wireless pads. 

Conclusion

AoHi makes a good first impression. They seem to have the science down for protection, a design that makes the phone feel comfy and sturdy, if not a little bulky, and an installation process that’s simple, quick, and effective. At $89.99 for both the case and screen protector, we’re very much in Apple’s own accessories price range for the AOHi case and screen protector, but for what feels like a much tougher protection solution, I think they’ve got it just about right. 

All product links directing off-site will be affiliate links when possible and where applicable, and may result in commission earned on qualifying purchases. Find out more about our promise to you.