Unlocking the Mysteries of the OpenCase FillerPlate

Thinking about all the different iPhone cases and MagSafe accessories on the market today, we all know that OpenCase™ is very unique. Within a mostly flexible MagSafe system, its patent pending design makes MagSafe (and Qi2) accessories thinner, lighter, and more secure. And probably the most unique accessory in the system is the FillerPlate. A product so distinctive to OpenCase it needs some explaining. In this post, we'll dive into what it is, best practices for using it and sum up with some final thoughts.

FillerPlate: What is it?

The FillerPlate is literally what its name suggests. It’s a plate that fills in the "open" space in the back of an OpenCase phone case. After I created the first OpenCase prototype (and completely mutilated the removed material in the process), I looked at my iPhone and thought, "What if I wasn't using a MagSafe accessory and wanted to protect the back of my phone?" By the time I made the third case prototype, I started working on the first FillerPlate prototype. And today, we sell a much nicer version in our online store. It's shaped to fit into the "open" space of the OpenCase, has built in magnets to connect to MagSafe, and a small notch in the bottom to help you remove it with ease.

How to Use the FillerPlate

Some of the most common uses for the FillerPlate include:

• To provide protection to the back of your iPhone when you are not using another MagSafe accessory in your OpenCase

 

• To give your phone a more "classic" look for more professional or formal occasions

 

• To prop up your iPhone. Simply place the FillerPlate in the ridge of the "open" space in the OpenCase in either portrait or landscape.

Since the FillerPlate is the thickness of about 2.5 credit cards, it’s easy to keep in a wallet for just such occasions. Although for minimalists, like myself, who are living that MagWallet + OpenCase life, it means the FillerPlate lives in the glovebox of my vehicle, so it's at the ready whenever I need it.

How NOT to Use It

We do not recommend attaching anything to the FillerPlate. It was not designed to be able to hold the weight of other objects. Whether it's another accessory, like a MagWallet, or anything else, the FillerPlate is only strong enough to hold itself onto the back of the phone.

While the case was being tested, I once saw a user attach a MagWallet onto a FillerPlate on the back of their phone. Then, they put their phone down on a table. When they went to pick it up, the MagWallet and FillerPlate were left behind on the table. The weight of the MagWallet was just too much for the FillerPlate to hold. I realized, I hadn't done a good enough job explaining the product and how to use it. For all my fellow start-up folks out there, never underestimate the value of testing!

To Sum Up

The FillerPlate is a truly singular accessory. Created as a solution to protect the iPhone's back when no accessory is in use with an OpenCase, the FillerPlate is especially useful in situations where a classic, minimalist phone appearance is preferred. It’s a unique accessory for an equally unique MagSafe case design!