OtterBox Cactus Leather Cases: Plant-Based Luxury

If the name “OtterBox” brings to mind images of indestructible phone cases that could survive a fall from Mount Kilimanjaro, you’re not alone. 

For years, OtterBox has been known as a producer of military-grade, minimalist, and utilitarian phone cases. The brand’s classic Defender Series is still a hit, but it’s not the only collection the OtterBox has to offer.

In comes the brand’s new vegan leather line, the Symmetry Series Cactus Leather collection.

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First things first: What’s the deal with cactus leather?

When you think “leather,” you probably think sleek and smooth – two things that a cactus certainly is not. But this eco-friendly leather is quite different from the prickly pear cactus it hails from. It’s breathable, strong, and feels great on the skin, making it an ideal material choice for everything from accessories to car interiors. 

The process of making cactus leather is fairly simple. Leaves from the nopal cactus are harvested – without the need for irrigation or uprooting the plant – then cleaned. 

Next, the pads (cactus leaves) are smashed into small pieces and left to dry in the sun. Its fibers are then removed and made into a powdered protein, which forms a liquid resin when mixed with liquid ingredients. 

Finally, the mixture is poured onto a carrier material – typically recycled cotton or polyester – to create a vegan leather alternative. OtterBox specifically uses organically-grown nopal cactus leaves to produce its cases to ensure that they’re both cruelty-free and sustainable. 

Related Reading: 5 Cactus Leather Purse Picks

Introducing Symmetry Series Cactus Leather

Image via OtterBox

A far cry from the ultra-thick and rugged look of its classic series, the Cactus Leather collection is a collaboration between OtterBox and the cactus-based leather maker Desserto. The result is a sophisticated and modern lineup of phone and watch cases that look as great as they perform. 

While the new collection’s cases might be thinner and more lightweight than many of their predecessors, they still pack that classic OtterBox strength. Each case features a 3X-MIL-STD rating, which means it can survive three times as many drops as materials that meet military standards.

Plus, they use 100% cruelty-free practices and include more than 60% recycled plastic. That means you can look good and feel good about your impact on the planet when you shop with OtterBox.

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Cactus Leather iPhone Cases

As it stands, OtterBox’s cactus leather phone cases are only available for a handful of iPhone models, including the:

Sorry, Android owners – this case isn’t designed for all phones. Nonetheless, it’s always possible that OtterBox could expand the collection over time. The limited availability is definitely a downside, we’re still happy to see a sustainable option from such a major brand. 

These phone cases are beautiful and versatile. However, we can’t help but notice that they don’t have much going on beyond that. Once you get past the unique cactus leather exterior, it’s pretty much business as usual for the rest of the case. 

The design includes small openings for the camera, ports, and speakers, and the case’s interior features a soft lining. They do also feature a raised crown around the camera and edges of the phone to protect the delicate glass of your screen and camera.

Shop OtterBox Cactus Leather Phone Cases

Cactus Leather Apple Watch Cases

Alongside the Symmetry Series Cactus Leather phone cases comes a line of matching Apple Watch cases, which are available in two sizes:

There’s not much to report about these cases that isn’t true for the iPhone cases. They use the same high-quality cactus leather, come in the same range of earthy shades, and offer similar benefits.

One thing to note, though, is that these watch cases don’t come with the same drop-safety guarantee that we see with the phone cases. Their highlights are their aesthetics and eco-conscious design.

Shop OtterBox Cactus Leather Apple Watch Cases

What’s special about Symmetry Series Cactus Leather cases?

Anticipation for OtterBox’s cactus leather collection has been high since the company first teased it at the beginning of 2024. So, now that the collection has hit the marketplace, how does it stack up to the competition?

Let’s break down some of the key features of this collection that set it apart from other phone cases and OtterBox product series.

Aesthetics

There’s no denying that the cactus leather created by Desserto has a one-of-a-kind appearance. It’s bumpier and a bit rougher than most vegan leather, which gives it a more authentic look and feel. 

Image via OtterBox

We also love the rich and deep hues used for each color option. It’s easy to invest in something stylish and durable with this collection – a definite step up from camo-patterned cases fit for a war zone.

Pricing

At about $40 and $60 for watch and phone cases, respectively, the price point for the cactus leather collection is fairly reasonable, especially considering the lifespan of the average OtterBox product. 

We’d expect something made with eco-conscious materials to be more expensive, but it seems like OtterBox has done a good job balancing accessibility with quality here. 

Environmental Impact

It’s hard to find another phone case made with as much care for the planet as any item from the cactus leather collection. The company uses organically grown and recycled materials to make these cases. However, they’re also hardy enough to stand the test of time.

We’re also happy to see a big company like OtterBox partner with Desserto. It’s a way to bring more eco-conscious materials to the tech space. Products with less-than-favorable supply and labor chains often dominate this industry.

Our Take: Is the OtterBox Cactus Leather collection worth it?

If you’re a fan of OtterBox and want something a bit lighter in your pocket (and easier on the eyes), we think the Symmetry Series Cactus Leather collection is a fine choice. 

However, we recommend the phone cases over the watch cases. While they’re both beautiful, we don’t see many unique features for the watch cases that make them worth the price. We also suspect that the thinner and more delicate material used to make these cases doesn’t necessarily hold up well to heavy use.

So, if you’re looking for an easy way to upgrade your phone’s look and feel without breaking the bank or causing harm to the planet, shop with OtterBox to your heart’s content!

Featured image via OtterBox on Amazon