Spigen Mag Armor vs. Rugged Armor vs. Optik Armor vs. Core Armor: Differences and Reviews 2025
If you spend a month's salary on a new phone, there's nothing more terrifying than watching it slip from your hands onto the cold, hard ground. So to protect your phone from drop damage, it’s necessary to invest in a sturdy phone case. As you may know, there are endless brands on the market selling cases for all sorts of different smartphones. One name that tends to stand out in this field, though, is Spigen. The company’s phone cases are its most popular product, thanks to their attractive designs and exceptional affordability. Among them, the Armor Series cases are the toughest cases from Spigen that offer the best drop protection, with some differences between the specific types. So what's the difference between Mag Armor, Rugged Armor, Optik Armor and Core Armor? Which one is best for your needs? In this guide, I will make a detailed comparison between them to help you make a informed decision.
Spigen Mag Armor vs. Rugged Armor vs. Optik Armor vs. Core Armor: Overview
#1 Spigen Mag Armor
Price: $44.99
Materials: Durable PC - Polycarbonate; Flexible TPU - Thermoplastic polyurethane
The Mag Armor is Spigen’s first case designed for MagSafe which is slim and lightweight. Featuring a matte finish with a diagonal line pattern along the back panel, it offers some extra grip over flat silicone options and is also equipped with “military-grade” certification alongside the brand's Air Cushion Technology. Your camera and screen also stay protected from scratches with Spigen cases, thanks to the raised lip design – this means that the glassy display and camera remains unscathed when you place it face down.
The completely covered volume and power buttons are also a standout here. While brands rarely mess these up too badly, Spigen has implemented quite tactile-feeling button covers here with an addictive click on each press. With the Mag Armor case, you can use car mounts, a MagSafe charging stand, Apple's MagSafe wallet, and more. In a word, the Mag Armor case offered the protection you need and the MagSafe capability that other cases are currently missing.
PROS | CONS |
Made of TPU for durability | Only available for iPhone newer models |
Mil-grade certified Air CushionTechnology for fall protection | Dust may build up in those grooves on the back and round the camera bump cut out |
Matte structure for greater grip | |
Raised edges to protect the screen and camera | |
Tactile buttons for solid feedback and an easy press | |
Built-in magnetic ring for MagSafe with iPhone | |
Compatible with wireless charging and MagSafe accessories |
#2 Spigen Rugged Armor
Price: $19.99 - $39.99
Materials: TPU, Thermoplastic polyurethane
Spigen's go-to TPU case for years has been the Rugged Armor. It's not too bulky but still adds protection.The design offers a perfect balance between thin and light design and solid protection. The frame of the Rugged Armor is textured, making it easier to pick the phone up from a table or get a good grip while holding it. Once on the phone, you have solid protection from drops and falls of all kind thanks to Spigen's Air Cushion Technology that absorbs the shock of unexpected impacts.
The case also covers the phone's buttons with protective outer buttons, and it uses a raised lip around the display to keep it from getting scratched. Because of this, you've got full 360° protection. Plus, the Rugged Armor case is offered for most major smartphones. It is one of those cases that's easy to put on, gets out of the way, and does its job really well.
PROS | CONS |
Lightweight and thin | Not enough color options |
Carbon fiber accents for a sleek and modern look | |
Made from TPU for durability | |
Extra corner protection via bumper design | |
Raised edges for screen and cameraprotection | |
Mil-grade certified drop protection with Air Cushion Technology | |
Compatible with most major smartphones |
#3 Spigen Optik Armor
Price: $44.99 - $59.99
Materials: PC (Polycarbonate) + TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
The Spigen Optik Armor Case is finished with a matte texture that is resistant to dirt, and the anti-slip properties ensure a firm grip and allow you to use the phone comfortably.. The Spigen Optik Armor Case focuses on what is perhaps the phone series’s tech highlight — the camera. It uses a sliding shutter mechanism to completely cover the lenses when they are not in use. Spigen calls this Snap Lens Protection Technology, and it puts up a 0.8mm barrier above the camera optics at all times. This protects the camera lens against scratches and other damage during everyday use.
In the event you do drop the phone (hopefully not), the Optik Armor's certified military-grade Air Cushion Tech also will – as its name implies – help cushion any impacts. The spiderweb molding in the interior of the case also helps with this. All in all, rather than just protecting the body, the Spigen Optik Armor Case also does the same for the camera system, something many other cases barely consider.
PROS | CONS |
Hybrid protection, TPU outer shell and PC camera case | More expensive than other three types |
Mil-grade certified drop protection with Air Cushion Technology | |
Matt texture and anti-slip properties for extra grip | |
Reinforced camera protection with the slide cover | |
Extra corner protection via bumper design |
#4 Spigen Core Armor
Price: $19.99 - $44.99
Materials: Flexible TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane)
The Core Armor case delivers good protection in a slimline package. Designed for a streamlined fit, this slim, pocket-friendly case hugs every corner without a bit of excess bulk. Its matte black finish and carbon fiber highlights add style to the sleek device. All four corners are packed with Air Cushion Technology® to ensure optimum shock-absorption in everyday drop. Best of all, the sides are reinforced with an all-new grip design.
The Core Armor case also has tactile buttons that press easily and provide solid feedback.This lightweight and grip-friendly & comfortable phone case is the perfect phone case for everyday use It’s frequently only sold through the official Spigen website, which means it doesn’t see as many discounts as other Spigen cases.
PROS | CONS |
Slick matte finish to match your style | Easily scratches than another three types |
Made from TPU for durability | |
Slim and grip-friendly body for your everyday | |
Mil-grade certified drop protection via Air Cushion Technology | |
Spider web molding for impact absorption | |
Raised edges for screen and camera protection | |
Ridiculously precise and responsive buttons |
Where to Buy Spigen Mag Armor, Rugged Armor, Optik Armor and Core Armor Cases?
Spigen (Cashback temporarily unavailable)
Spigen 臺灣 (6-7% cashback)
Walmart (3.5-4% cashback)
Bestbuy (0.4-0.5% cashback)
Amazon (Cashback temporarily unavailable)
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Spigen Mag Armor vs. Rugged Armor vs. Optik Armor vs. Core Armor: Side by Side Comparision
1. Design and Materials
The Mag Armor Case is made of polycarbonate and thermoplastic polyurethene that results in a slightly rigid but quite pliable design that's particularly easy to get on and off, while maintaining a snug fit. In the hands the Spigen Mag Armor case feels quite textured, which is largely due to that grooved design on the rear. There is also a Spigen logo etched on the rear of the case, which breaks up that diagonal design and fits in with the overall aesthetic. The Mag Armor case offers a usual raised bezel surrounding both the phone’s display and the back-side camera array for face-down and camera-side tabletop protection.
Spigen Rugged Armor case is made out of Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). TPU material makes it extremely flexible but also very protective. It is extremely easy to take on and off due to flexible design. Using a matte black aesthetic to make it look more impressively tough, the Rugged Armor case continues to use the carbon-fiber accent that has been part of its design since the start. It's certainly not the thinnest case you can buy, but considering the level of protection it offers, it's a pretty compact form factor.
Flexible and low-weight TPU makes up the main part of the Optik Armor case, this means you've got a really grippy texture all around the phone case, making it quite difficult to accidentally drop – unless you're just extra clumsy. The additional camera housing is polycarbonate, to give the camera slider a robust and tough feel. Its camera protector slides on and off smoothly, making sure youâ re maintaining good optics without the extra bulk. It also will protect the lens from scratched and other damage during daily use.
Inspired by car design, the Core Armor case bears its carbon fiber detailing against an all matte black finish. Its unique modern grooves give extra grip. Plus, its sleek matte finish leaves no fingerprints behind. Made from a durable and shock-resistant TPU material, this case increases your grip and comfort of use for your Phone.
2. Protection
It's not the most protective case out there, but it will certainly guard against bumps and light drops.The raised lip to protects screen and the camera & Air Cushion Technology for shock absorption.
After my excessive use and tests, I conclude that, Rugged Armor case gives confidence and looks fairly protective for my phone. There are multi-layered bumper protection on all corners. It uses air cushion technology and a spider web pattern on the inside to keep the phone from being damaged after falls of a few feet. Phone’s buttons are also protected by outer case buttons. Plus, the Rugged Armor case uses a raised lip around the display to keep it from getting scratched.
The Spigen Optik Armor case has been military drop tested (MIL STD 810G-516.6) to ensure your device gets the best protection possible. The test means each case must be able to be dropped onto concrete 26 times from a height of 48 inches onto every corner and edge with no damage to your device. Plus, the Optik Armor case also features Air Cushion Technology for drop protection, with integrated airbags in the case's corners. The built-in camera cover protects the camera lens against scratches and other damage during everyday use.
The Core Armor case has implemented its patented spider web moulding for impact absorption and the Air CushionTechnology in a single shock-absorbent layer for drop protection. The raised lip also protects the screen and camera from scratches and cracks. So you can be sure that your phone is protected against drops, bumps and falls.
3. Compatible phone brands
The Mag Armor case is only available for iPhone newer models, including iPhone 12 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 15 series.
The Rugged Armor case is offered for most major smartphones, including iPhone, Samsung, Google, Sony, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Motorola.
The Optik Armor case is only available for certain Apple and Samsung phones.
The Core Armor case is offered for iPhone, Samsung, Google, and Motorola phones.
Bottom Line
With no doubt, The armor series are the toughest phone cases from Spigen. The Mag Armor, Rugged Armor, Optik Armor and Core Armor are all made from a durable and shock-resistant TPU material. Plus, every type is packed with Air Cushion Technology for optimum shock-absorption. So no matter which type to choose, your phone will get good protection.
If you care most about whether the cameras being protected, the Optik Armor is your way to go. With the dedicated lens cover on this case, you won't have to worry about the cracking or scratching on your camera.
The Mag Armor Case is completely MagSafe friendly, with both third-party and Apple’s in-house magnetic charging puck. If you are using an iPhone and need MagSafe capability feature, the Mag Armor case is best for you.
Slim and modern, the Core Armor packs a whole lot of style, but isn’t quite as resistant as another three types.If you are looking for a slim and stylish phone case and only need daily drop protection, you can consider the Core Armor case.
If you have a limited budget but want adequate protection, Rugged Armor is the most cost-effective option.
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