Review: Urban Armor Gear Valkyrie for iPhone 6 Plus

Bendgate. I hate that word. I personally think it’s overrated. The iPhone 6 Plus is a big phone, it’s not something you throw in a pocket. That being said, we like to protect the expensive gadgets that we buy, so one of the first things I did after we received Aarti’s new phone was to begin shopping around for a suitable case to protect her device. Her only directive in my quest: “I want pink.”

A quick trip to our local PeachMac yielded the Urban Armor Gear iPhone 6 Plus Valkyrie case. I was unfamiliar with this brand, but what got my eye was the MIL STD 810G-516.6 label on the box. It’s a military drop test spec, which claims that the case is impact resistant for a distance of up to 6 feet. This case is rated to meet or exceed military drop-test standards. It also comes in pink. Though the UAG Valkyrie retails for $40, I picked one up for $25.

In the UAG Valkyrie box you get the case, two HD screen protectors, and a small micro-fiber cloth. (Pro tip: Before affixing any case to your phone, it’s always a good idea to clean it thoroughly first.)

Though it looks “heavy”, the Valkyrie is actually light weight (40 grams / 1.4 ounces). The case itself is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). It has an industrial look, and could easily blend in as a prop from a Terminator film. With its rubberized skid pads on each side of the unit, the UAG Valkyrie is comfortable to hold and grip. The fit and finish are top notch, but taking the case off does take some effort. Aarti dug the case design and gave it high marks for looks.

The front of the case creates a nice contour around the screen. The black, rubberized trim provides a slightly raised edge, to protect the screen in the even of an accidental drop.

Ports are protected and also easily accessible with the UAG Valkyrie.

The side view shows off the Valkyrie’s rubberized grips. Although the case envelops the iPhone’s volume and power buttons, their access isn’t impeded by it.

One of the criticisms leveled against the iPhone 6 Plus is its protruding camera. With the UAG case, the protrusion is not an issue whatsoever. I took a few photos, to see if, in fact, any glare would occur with flash turned on. I’m pleased to report that the UAG Valkyrie’s openings around the camera are wide enough to where this wasn’t an issue.

UAG provides two screen protectors and a small plastic squeegee to aid in removing bubbles. Normally, I toss these aside because I’ve had no luck with removing the resultant bubbles that occur between the film and the screen. Tempting fate, I tried again. This time, I was able to successfully apply the screen protector correctly and eliminate all bubbles.

As this is my wife’s device, I have no plans to subject the phone and case to a customary drop test. Given the snug fit, removing the UAG Valkyrie case takes some time and patience. If you’re looking to switch out cases on a regular basis, you may want to seek other options.

Of course, time will tell how the UAG Valkyrie holds up. It looks great, has a solid fit and finish and provides a comfortable grip and is priced well. It adds little bulk thanks to its slim design and it also provides additional structural rigidity to the iPhone 6 Plus. If you’re not a fan of pink, fret not – you can get the UAG case in a variety of colors, including white, black, orange, and even a clear see-through model.

I’m pleased with this case, and more importantly, so is my wife. The UAG Valkyrie case earns 4.5 out of 5 Bob Weiners.