6 Awesome Smartphone Accessories We Spotted At CES 2017

Time To Accessorize?

Getting a great smartphone is only part of the challenge -- and maybe the easy part. The real challenge: finding the ideal accessories to make using your smartphone as enjoyable as possible. That's because there are so many to choose from. So we hit the CES 2017 show floor in search of unique smartphone accessories -- cases, cords, external batteries and more -- that could be a game-changer for users. In the following slides we've rounded up the six best smartphone accessories we came across at CES 2017 in Las Vegas.

MagBuddy

The concept here is pretty simple -- a mount that magnetically attaches to your smartphone -- but it can also be powerful. That's true especially in the car, where looking at your smartphone can be a serious safety hazard. MagBuddy comes in a number of variations for car environments -- including air vent, dashboard, windshield and cup holder -- as well a desktop and "anywhere" option. Prices of the MagBuddy run in the $10 to $30 range, depending on the variation.

Zizo Bolt Case

Don't want to take any chances with your pricey new smartphone? The Bolt case may be a worthwhile investment. The rugged case is military-grade compliant (MIL-STD-810) for drop protection, with both shock-absorbing and impact-resisting materials utilized. But it's not all function, either, with an eye-pleasing design on the exterior shell. The case also comes with a built-in kickstand, a heavy-duty holster clip and a free tempered glass screen protector. The Zizo Bolt Case is available for multiple Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models, as well as for phones from vendors such as LG, Motorola and ZTE. Pricing starts at $17.99.

Shibaful Case

Described as the world's "first lawn iPhone case," the Shibaful case is made with fibers that look and feel a bit like the grass in a park. Produced by Japan-based Shibaful, the cases are created using electrostatic flocking technology, which aligns the fibers, and the case aims to put users more at ease when using their devices. The cases come in a variety of designs include a standard park-inspired, single-color design; shape designs; and sport designs. Shibaful cases are available on average for $40 to $45.

Pearl Compact Mirror USB Battery

And just like that, two on-the-go products become one. Pearl's compact mirror measures 3.5 x 3.5 x 0.5 of an inch and comes with two mirrors, one of them 3X magnified. The mirror doubles as a battery pack for iPhone, iPad and USB devices, with a sizable 3000mAh battery and a 2.1A USB charging port. The Pearl Compact Mirror USB Battery sells for $30, and a smaller, 1,600mAh version for $20 is also in the works but not available yet.

Titan Cable

Touted by manufacturer Fuse Chicken as the toughest smartphone cable out there, the Titan withstands fraying and pet assaults with two layers of high-strength steel. That means, according to Fuse Chicken, that the Titan cannot even be sawed through with a chainsaw (though this wasn't being demonstrated at CES). The Titan is available for iPhone and Android devices, and in variations ranging in price between $25 and $35.

i-Blades Smartcase

The i-Blades Smartcase may be the first rugged case that's actually trying to protect both your smartphone and you. The case comes with drop and impact protection, but also adds some new functionality to your phone -- the ability to monitor air quality. The company behind the case, Milpitas, Calif.-based i-Blades, says the "enviro sensor" was added because there had previously been no portable air quality solution on the market. The smartcase can also connect to an attachment that doubles the battery life and adds storage. The i-Blades Smartcase, which is available for Samsung Galaxy phones, is priced at $79, while the case plus the attachment is priced at $99.