Another collection of new Spigen cases for the 4.7″ iPhone 6 has arrived, again including variations on previously-introduced models for earlier devices. Capsule ($15) is a soft TPU plastic case that wraps around the iPhone 6, covering virtually all of its body save for the screen, bottom ports, and side ringer switch. Ultra Hybrid ($25) combines a clear hard plastic back with an opaque edge in your choice of colors, achieving the same protection with a little more style. Neo Hybrid ($35) combines a soft matte plastic case with a contrast-colored edge bumper and metallic button protectors; a version called Neo Hybrid Metal ($35) replaces the plastic bumper with handsome aluminum. The oddly same-priced Neo Hybrid EX ($35) does away with the full case in favor of a rubber partial frame for the edge bumper. All of these solutions feel markedly thinner than Spigen’s Slim Armor and Tough Armor cases, and come in multiple colors.
Capsule is a very basic soft TPU case.
It provides coverage for the buttons and openings for the ports, while nicely showing off the back of the iPhone 6. There’s not much to it, but that’s part of its charm, as is its low $15 price.
Neo Hybrid is a curious offering indeed. For the price of many top-rate iPhone cases, here Spigen has inserted a soft plastic shell into a hard plastic bumper with button protection. Unfortunately, the case wasn’t made quite right, inhibiting button use for the iPhone 6 in the case. Subsequently, Spigen sent out special button sticker inserts to improve the performance; obviously the case wasn’t tested properly before release. Furthermore, after installing and removing the iPhone 6 from the case just a few times, we found the bumper bending near the ringer switch.
Neo Hybrid Metal was a much different story than its plastic counterpart.
Replacing the plastic bumper with a very nice aluminum bumper, we experienced none of the same issues with durability or button use.
Ultra Hybrid is very similar to Capsule coverage-wise, but instead of TPU, it’s a case with a clear plastic back and a rubber frame, like many iPhone 6 cases we’ve seen so far. The buttons are completely flush to the side of the frame, which could make controlling the volume tricky at times.
Spigen’s Capsule for iPhone 6 is a very basic TPU case, but it provides proper coverage and comes at a great price. It earns our strong general recommendation. Ultra Hybrid also comes recommended — it’s certainly a serviceable case, though one wonders if it’s really worth $10 more than Capsule. Unfortunately, we can’t recommend Neo Hybrid.
