TL;DR: The Dbrand Grip and Vena vCommute are very different cases. The Grip is rough and grippy, with great drop protection, numerous customization options, and MagSafe compatibility. The vCommute is an understated wallet case with magnetic car mount compatibility and an integrated kickstand. Both cases are great options for different use cases.
Two of my favorite phone cases I’ve ever owned caught my attention for two very different reasons. Indeed, it is hard to compare the Dbrand Grip to the Vena vCommute. On one hand, the Dbrand Grip features Dbrand’s signature clever marketing and a ridiculously rough texture. On the other hand, the Vena vCommute is a thick wallet case that is an acquired taste. As a matter of fact, both of these utilitarian phone cases are acquired tastes. The Dbrand Grip’s texture is off-putting to many, and the Vena vCommute tries so hard to look stylish that it just doesn’t. However, those are the negatives of these two phone cases. There are a lot of positives that I have yet to cover.
The Dbrand Grip is a rough case with countless customization options. At $45, or $55 for certain customization options, it is available on phones from Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, including the current-gen iPhone 14, Samsung S23 Ultra, Google Pixel 7, and OnePlus 10 Pro. The case is MagSafe compatible, and it features crisp buttons as advertised. The Grip is undeniably sexy, with sleek grip strips lining the sides and 38 design options for the back of the case. It offers a tight fit around my iPhone 13, giving me confidence that it won’t fall off. However, it is still easy to remove the case from the phone. While the Dbrand Grip case passed EverythingApplePro’s 50-foot drop test with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, the iPhone 14 Grip case failed the test. This may be an indication that quality is slipping, but keep in mind that a 50-foot drop is not realistic. I’ve dropped my phone countless times in the Dbrand Grip over a span of roughly one year, and despite one small crack in the corner of the screen protector, it’s as good as new. As I stated earlier, my main complaint about the Grip is the texture. It becomes bearable after extended use, but it is generally uncomfortable. There are other grippy materials out there that would work just as well and feel less harsh. I wish Dbrand would sell another phone case with the same features, but without the rough material. I imagine it would still sell very well thanks to the customization options.
At $40 on Amazon, the Vena vCommute is a lesser-known case. I picked it up because I wanted a wallet case that doesn’t appear to be a wallet at first glance. I was sold on the vCommute because its leather folio looks like your everyday kickstand, which it is, but it also hides a card holder. This is important for me, because I don’t want to carry my wallet around everywhere, but I don’t want people in public knowing that I have money in my phone case. The case can hold three credit cards and some cash, and the magnets in the kickstand keep the cards secure in their slot. Additionally, these same magnets make the case compatible with magnetic accessories such as car mounts. Of course, this case is not MagSafe compatible due to its increased depth. The product listing for the vCommute claims that it “works with wireless charging,” but this claim is stupid. Wireless charging only works with the flap open and no cards inside, so it essentially does not work at all. Another gripe I have is that engaging the kickstand reveals the wallet inside the case, and any cash inside will fall out. The vCommute is only rated for four feet of drop protection, which is admittedly dismal, although I have dropped my phone a few times at a reasonable height, and it has survived with no damage. This is likely due to the shock absorbing TPU in the corners of the case. One thing I’ve noticed about the Vena vCommute is that the lip of the case is so thick that it can rub against the screen protector, creating air bubbles. As such, if you get the vCommute, I would suggest replacing your screen protector and being extremely careful when you apply the new one. Despite its shortcomings, the vCommute is the only wallet case I have found that truly hides credit cards and still keeps them secure. It is clunky due to its increased thickness, but the same can be said about any wallet case. Because of the fact that it hides the cards inside, it is the only wallet case I feel comfortable using at school and at work.
It is very hard to compare the Dbrand Grip and the Vena vCommute. They are clearly targeted at people with different needs and different use cases. However, they are both good options for what they offer. When I look for a phone case, my main concerns are features and drop protection. In terms of features, I mainly care about compatibility with magnetic car mounts. I don’t charge my phone with MagSafe, and I’ve found that the MagSafe magnets aren’t as strong as they should be. That’s why I like the vCommute, with its own magnets inside, and why I installed a Scosche magnet on the back of the Grip. I’m also a big fan of kickstands that are integrated into the profile of the case, since it improves my YouTube viewing experience drastically. The vCommute has both of these features, while the Grip does not. I had to install a kickstand and a magnetic mount on the back of my Grip case, which makes the phone hard to rest on its back and ruins the understated look. However, the Grip has innovative design and customization features in its own right, and I can still recommend it if you don’t mind the texture. And if you don’t need a kickstand and the MagSafe magnets work fine with your car mount, the Grip may not have the same problems for you as it does for me.
The phone case market is highly saturated, and it can be difficult to navigate. As such, many people simply walk into a local Best Buy and purchase a cheap case that fits their phone. And if you have an Android phone, there are generally fewer case options overall. As a rule, I think it’s good to be informed about the market before you make a purchase. Before you buy your next phone case, be sure to think about what features would benefit you, and search for cases that meet your specific needs online, where there are more options than in stores. If you are looking for case recommendations specific to your needs, I would be happy to help you out.
Comments