Rhinoshield has released the AirX smartphone case, a model designed to mitigate both exterior and interior damage during drops. The company says the case employs a two-layer structure that combines an internal air chamber with an outer compression skeleton. During impact, a patterned “spillway” directs force away from sensitive areas, particularly the corners where components are most vulnerable. Independent tests cited by Rhinoshield measured an 81 percent reduction in transmitted impact energy compared with conventional protective cases.
Engineers subjected AirX to controlled machine drops that tracked internal stress as well as repeated falls from a height of 18 meters onto concrete. In those trials, devices retained full structural and functional integrity. The case includes raised front and rear lips, reinforced corners, and buffer pillars around buttons and the camera to improve protection regardless of whether a phone lands on its face, edge, or back. Rhinoshield’s internal data list the weight at 1.5 ounces.
AirX is built from a proprietary thermoplastic elastomer that the company describes as a single-material design suitable for recycling. The shell is also compatible with Apple’s MagSafe system for wireless charging and accessory alignment. Rhinoshield has not released pricing details but plans to offer versions for current iPhone and Android flagships.