Battle of the Armor: Spigen’s Tough Armor T vs. Rugged Armor

My new iPhone 17 Pro was delivered last week. I love it. My plan was to use it without a case and add AppleCare+ coverage. However, immediately after unboxing and holding it, I knew I needed a case. The iPhone 17 Pro felt too narrow and slippery in the hand. I wanted a case that provided both comfort and protection.

After purchasing the phone and AppleCare One ($20/month to cover my iPhone 17 Pro, MacBook Pro, and Apple Watch Ultra 2), I didn’t want to shell out top dollar for a “premium” case. After spending more time researching options than I’m comfortable admitting, I ordered two cases from Spigen’s “Protective Case” lineup: the Tough Armor T and the Rugged Armor.

For some reason, these Spigen cases were considerably less expensive on Amazon. Through Spigen directly, the Tough Armor T is $59.99. The same case is $24.99 on Amazon. Spigen sells the Rugged Armor for $39.99. It’s $21.99 on Amazon. I didn’t notice such a significant price discrepancy with other brands when shopping on Amazon versus purchasing directly from the manufacturer. We’ll take it.

The Tough Armor T is designed for all iPhone 17 models, including the iPhone Air, while the Rugged Armor is compatible with the 17, Pro, and Pro Max, but not the Air.

Spigen Tough Armor T (MagFit)

Spigen’s Tough Armor T (MagFit) was the first case I ordered. I figured if I’m getting a case, why not try one that offers extreme shock and impact absorption? This case was designed with AI and offers “Military grade via Extreme Protection Tech.” It looks and feels as heavy-duty as it’s described to be.

The Tough Armor T is made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polycarbonate (PC), with yellow XRD foam added for impact protection at the corners and back. It’s compatible with MagSafe accessories. While some cases leave the iPhone 17 Pro’s camera cutout exposed, the Tough Armor T fully covers it and includes raised edges for added protection around the camera cutout and screen.

This case also fully covers all of the 17 Pro’s camera buttons, including a capacitive cover for the camera control button. It’s not as smooth as using the camera control without a cover, but it functions surprisingly well while offering protection. A kickstand for hands-free landscape orientation fits seamlessly into the back of the case. While I appreciated this feature, I didn’t test the case long enough to evaluate the stand’s long-term durability.

The iPhone 17 Pro’s dimensions are 5.91 inches tall, 2.83 inches wide, and 0.34 inches deep, with a weight of 7.27 ounces (206 grams). Spigen’s Tough Armor T is 6.15 inches tall, 3.07 inches wide, and .59 inches deep and weighs 1.8 ounces.

Here’s the rub. This case makes the 17 Pro nearly a quarter-inch wider and about 25% heavier. While the added width was comfortable in hand, it offers little in terms of grip. I loved the gunmetal color option (it’s also available in black), but it was too slippery all around. I never felt I had a secure handle and worried about dropping it. I also felt the added weight. After sitting up in bed for 5 minutes of doom scrolling, my arms were tired. I couldn’t help but think about this added heft every time I picked up the phone after.

Finally, but maybe most importantly, the 17 Pro was very hot while charging in the Tough Armor T. It’s normal for an iPhone to feel warm when charging, but heat radiated throughout the entire case and screen after a few minutes connected in the Tough Armor T. While the case wasn’t too hot to touch, it didn’t feel right or healthy for the phone’s battery longevity and performance. Remember, all buttons are fully covered by the Tough Armor T. Perhaps something that simple contributes to heat buildup.

It was time for a new case. Enter the Spigen Rugged Armor (MagFit).

Spigen Rugged Armor (MagFit)

As soon as I placed Spigen’s Rugged Armor case (available in matte black and gray) on the 17 Pro, I knew it was a keeper. It resolved all of my pain points from the Tough Armor T, albeit at the sacrifice of maximum protection. It’s a tradeoff I’m willing to accept for better daily livability.

The Rugged Armor case is made with the same materials as the Tough Armor T. As you can see from the images, there’s considerably less of the yellow XRD impact foam. It has a fully covered camera bump with raised edges protecting the camera lenses and the screen like the Tough Armor T. The camera control button is also fully covered but doesn’t lose functionality. Unlike the Tough Armor T, the power/wake button, volume buttons, and Action button are exposed covers rather than fully wrapped.

The Rugged Armor case is located on the right in the image above. While this case has exposed buttons that may allow some dust to accumulate and require more regular cleaning, it’s made up for in its tactile feel. I never had an issue with the buttons on the Tough Armor T, but they did require a bit more effort and returned a more audible clicking sound with each press.

The best part of the Rugged Armor case, in addition to its lower profile and weight, is the grip. The sides, button covers, and back of the case are the perfect texture. They make the phone easy to use with one hand and aren’t overly abrasive. The Rugged Armor case easily slips in and out of pockets. The carbon fiber on the bottom of the case back is simply a styling detail. It’s much more subtle in person than in the images.

The Rugged Armor is 6.08 inches tall, 3 inches wide, .62 inches deep and weighs 1.4 ounces compared to the Tough Armor’s 1.8 ounces. While the weight difference may seem small, the Rugged Armor is about 22% lighter. It’s instantly noticeable when switching between the two cases.