Product Note: NewerTech KX Case for iPhone 7 Plus

Like many others, I recently upgraded my iPhone to the iPhone 7 Plus. For me the draw was the improved camera and the iPhone's speakers. Of course, since I occasionally drop my iPhone despite my best efforts not to do so, I needed a case that would protect my phone from damage.

Sometimes I find it overwhelming to choose a case for my iPhone since there are so many options. You can choose cases with minimal protection that are intended to add a bit of bling to your phone or you can focus on those intended to protect your phone at any cost. And there's a range of cases that fall in between the two extremes and they come in a host of colors, materials, and designs. Hence the difficulty I often encounter when faced with this decision.

Fortunately for me, my choice was easy this time around when I was offered the opportunity to test out the NewerTech KX Case for iPhone 7 Plus. I was provided a complimentary black case for review purposes and it fit the bill perfectly.

This case retails at $34.99 for the iPhone 7 Plus and $29.99 for the iPhone 7. It's available in black, crimson, and midnight (a shade of blue). Unlike some other iPhone cases, it was a simple matter to put the case on my iPhone. Because it is one single case with no other pieces, it just pops onto the back of your iPhone. Installation was a cinch.

The case I obtained is matte black and is textured on the back and sides. It has an attractive, tasteful design that is also quite functional.The ridges on the sides of the case are particularly useful since they provide a grip, making it easier to hold onto the case. Between the texturing on the sides and back of the case, it is much less likely that the iPhone will slip out of your hands.

The case doesn't have much bulk at all and is relatively thin and lightweight, despite the fact that it's built to protect your iPhone in the event of a drop. The buttons on the sides and top cover the iPhone's built-in buttons but work well and do not interfere with their use.

But don't be fooled; while this case may be attractive, it's built to protect your device. It's made with an x-orbing gel technology that absorbs and distributes kinetic energy in the event of a drop. And thus far, it works. I've already knocked my iPhone to the ground from a table on two occasions, and it's no worse for the wear. Despite the lack of bulk, the case did its job and absorbed the impact, protecting my iPhone in the process.

All in all, it's a practical, attractive case that provides more than sufficient protection for those of you with a case of the dropsies. It definitely has a more masculine feel than some other cases I've used, but when all is said in done, the design is simply a matter of preference.

So if you're in the market for a functional case designed to provide advanced protection for your iPhone from bumps and drops, then this may very well be the case for you. It's affordable, attractive and built to protect. If a protective case is what you need, what more could you ask for?