Need a better way to carry your phone? I found a great accessory

With the year coming to an end and all the major flagship smartphone releases behind us, let’s take some time and look at the accessories for these phones. Although the market offers more iPhone accessories than other brands, there are some of these productslike the Waterfield Designs Essential iPhone case, can be used universally.

I have been a fan of Waterfield Designs products for a decade. I have several messenger bags, backpacks and totes from the brand. All products are made by hand and will last for years. I’m pretty sure my oldest bag (a Muzetto leather bag) is well over a decade old.

With the new iPhone 16 releases, I was curious to try out more iPhone accessories. I reviewed the Shinjuku Sling from Waterfield Designs a few weeks ago and today I want to talk about the Essential iPhone Pouch.

A simple, reliable phone case

The Essential iPhone case is exactly that – a pocket for your iPhone and other essentials. Its super compact size is great for the minimalist user who only needs their phone, keys and wallet. It also offers enough space for some other small necessities.

This is also a great unisex option as shoulder bags are used by all genders these days. I have to deal with women’s clothing that doesn’t always have the biggest pockets. The Essential iPhone case is a great option for me to carry everything I need in an unobtrusive form.

Like all of Waterfield’s products, the Essential iPhone case is handmade in the company’s factory in San Francisco. The Essential iPhone case is made from black 1680 denier ballistic nylon and Forza nylon and is available in five accent colors: blue, green, red, titanium and black. It is also available in a canvas with chocolate leather option, although this option costs $10 more. I chose the color red for my bag. The colors are just an accent on the front of the bag, the rest is black.

The front of the Essential iPhone Case features an open pocket for storing quick-access items, and just above the pocket is a front loop for attaching things like keys. A waterproof YKK zipper protects contents from harsh weather such as rain or snow. In the main compartment there is a small black mesh pocket on one side and a cell phone pocket on the other side. Waterfield uses its signature gold diamond liner inside, helping you see your contents at a glance instead of losing them in a black void.

The cell phone case Fits an iPhone 16 Pro Max or other similarly sized smartphones. The is a great little accessory for carrying a second phone since I usually keep my primary iPhone 16 Pro in my pocket.

Again, the Essential iPhone case is designed only for the essentials, hence the name. Typically this is your phone, keys and wallet. For travelers, a standard passport also fits in the main compartment. But I never leave the house without other things like lip balm, hand sanitizer, and my AirPods. Despite its compact size, the Essential Pouch offers enough space for these small items.

The nylon strap is also adjustable so you can have it as long or as short as you need it. A camlock buckle makes it easy to adjust the length of the strap while carrying the bag, which is a nice touch. The YKK zipper has two custom metal zipper pulls so you can open it from either side, and there are enough openings on these sliders to attach something like an AirTag.

Ideal for iPhones and Android phones alike

As much as I like to use my fancier handbags for special occasions or even Disneyland trips, sometimes I just need the essentials for quick errands. After all, I don’t want to carry a lot when I’m dropping my daughter off and picking her up from school, for example. The Essential iPhone Pouch ticks all the boxes.

The nylon material and the vertical orientation of the bag make it appear unobtrusive and gender-neutral despite the accent color. Even though it hasn’t rained here in Southern California in months, I also appreciate that this little carrying case keeps my iPhone (and other phones) and all of my other contents safe and dry.

When I reviewed the Shinjuku Sling, I said that the price was a bit high at $129. However, The Essential iPhone Pouch is cheaper at $79 for the nylon versions, while the canvas and leather version costs $89. Again, since it’s handmade in Waterfield and the products last for years, I think it’s a wise investment.

If you’re looking for a crossbody bag for your iPhone (or similarly sized Android phone) and other small essentials, I highly recommend you take a look at the Essential iPhone Bag.