Tech21 Evo Frame Wallet: Review

When we choose a cover for a smartphone we’re usually looking to either personalise our phone with some colour and style, or we’re looking to protect the phone from bumps, scratches or outright disasters.

While we might want to style and security in a phone case, often the two don’t overlap. Sturdy phone cases tend to be bulky and often come with high-vis fluoro flourishes, while fashion cases are little more like a thin rubber sleeve.

The Tech21 Evo Frame Wallet case happens to be a pleasing mix of the two. It houses the phone in Tech21’s patented brand of shock-proof protection and it doesn’t look too shabby. It is undoubtedly a masculine case, but it has a sharp business aesthetic we can get behind. The case has a subtle texture to it, which is nice, and a magnet flap to secure the case closed.

Size-wise, the Evo Frame is pretty svelte. We’ve been using the case on a Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, and it takes the total thickness up from 7mm to 12mm. This might seem a significant difference, but we’ve found it is still acceptable slim with the phone in and the case shut. Unlike some other cases we've seen recently, you can still fit your headphones jack into the port without needing an adapter.

As the name suggests, it also features an internal slot for storing credit cards (or the like). This slot can comfortable hold only two cards, though — a third card is a stretch and starts to obstruct the magnet lock — and we’ll admit this was a surprise. With wallet in the title, we assumed we might be able to fit a few more than two cards inside the flap.

We do like that the case design can double as a phone stand for when you’re watching a video on a flat surface. This is one element we definitely missed when using a Samsung branded case for the S6 Edge before now.

It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg either. Some cases, especially protective cases, can cost around $100, but the Evo Frame costs half as much, or less if you can find a bargain.

Joseph Hanlon

Editorial Director | X | LinkedIn

Joe Hanlon has been immersed in mobile phones, plans and the internet for over a decade, having written for publications like CNET, Techradar, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. He steers the editorial ship and makes sure that we are always serving up the most useful guides and recommendations. If you ever bump into Joe on the street, don't be afraid to ask for a phone recommendation. It's embarrassing how much he enjoys talking about this stuff. He also loves listening to podcasts, so feel free to email Joe with recommendations.

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