If you bought an iPhone XR, as I did, you probably spent some time deciding on a color (I chose red) and the last thing you want to do is cover that phone in a solid case. At least that's how I felt. Fortunately, X-Doria makes some very protective cases that have a clear back. The company sent me the Defense Air ($39.99) in several colors. I chose the red one, and it looks quite stylish with the red iPhone XR. But X-Doria also offer versions with silver or black or teal. Apple offers the iPhone XR in more colors than that, so I would hope X-Doria would match the others, but if not, you can still mix and match nicely.
Related: Best iPhone XS, XS Max & XR Cases of 2018: Waterproof, Drop-Proof & Shatterproof
The thick clear silicone shell offers plenty of protection, supplemented by the aluminum bumper along the top and bottom of the case. The case also has a raised lip to protect the screen, although there is no screen protector. A nice touch is that the case re-routes the audio from the iPhone's speaker toward the front. For ten years Apple still pushes audio downward with speakers mounted on the bottom of its iPhones. I've always considered this a design flaw, and often I will cup my hand to redirect audio towards me. Now I don't have to do that! The case is relatively thick, but fortunately it still allows for wireless charging.
Pros
- Clear back lets iPhone XR color show through
- Aluminum edges for protection
- Speaker re-routed forward
- Grippy edges
- Raised lip
Cons
- More colors than the four (silver, black, blue, and red) would be nice
Final Verdict
The X-Doria Defense Air offers a nice balance of protection and style while letting an iPhone XR's color shine through.
