Snap vs Tough case: which one should you get?

Pick a design you love and you still have one question left: Snap or Tough? Both are printed edge to edge and both cover the back and sides of your phone. The difference is what's underneath the print, and that changes how the case feels in your hand, how it handles a drop, and how it looks from the side.

What a Snap case is

A Snap case is a single, slim shell of polycarbonate that snaps onto your phone. There's no inner layer. The print wraps all the way around the back and sides and has a glossy finish, a bit like a photo printed on premium paper. The ink sits inside the coating rather than on top of it, so it holds up well to everyday scratches.

Because it's one thin piece, a Snap case barely adds to the size of your phone. It slides into a jeans pocket or a small bag without a fight.

What a Tough case is

A Tough case is two layers doing two different jobs. The outer layer is the same kind of hard, printed polycarbonate shell. Inside it sits a black rubber (TPU) lining that wraps the edges of your phone. When your phone hits the floor, the hard shell spreads the force and the rubber lining soaks it up.

The black lining shows as a thin black line around the edge of the case. On MagSafe models, a Tough case can also carry a ring of magnets for MagSafe chargers and accessories.

How they compare

• Feel: Snap is thinner and lighter. Tough is a little thicker and has more grip.
• Drop protection: Tough protects noticeably more, thanks to the rubber lining. Snap guards against scratches, scuffs and small bumps.
• Look: Snap has no rim framing the print. Tough has a slim black rim where the lining shows.
• MagSafe: available on Tough (MagSafe Tough) for iPhone 13 and newer, Galaxy S24 and newer, Galaxy Z Flip8, Pixel 10 and Pixel 11, and Xiaomi 17.
• Which phones: Snap is made for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S models. Tough covers a wider range of phones, including Pixel and Xiaomi.

Which one is right for you?

Choose a Snap case if you want your phone to stay slim, you care most about the design, and you're not especially hard on your phone. It's the clean, all-over-print look in its purest form.

Choose a Tough case if your phone lives a busier life: commutes, kids, gym bags, the occasional slip off the kitchen counter. You get the same design with more cushioning, and the black rim frames the artwork nicely.

Still undecided? Think about the last time you dropped your phone. If you can't remember, Snap will likely suit you. If you can remember several, go Tough.

See the difference on your own phone

If your phone comes in both, open any design, pick your phone, and switch between Snap and Tough to see the same artwork on each case, from the front, the side and at an angle, before you decide.

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