GameSpace isn’t just about games. With Living In My GameSpace, I will look beyond the games to everything that makes up my gaming lifestyle. Tech, board games, TV, and anything else that shares my GameSpace will be up for grabs. And with that, welcome to the first edition of Living In My GameSpace.
A phone isn’t really a phone anymore. It’s a mini-PC, gaming rig, messenger app, bank account manager, planner, and myriad other devices all in one. With their Wallet Slayer line of cases, Smartish is asking the question, why can’t your phone be your wallet as well? Smartish sent over a couple of Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 cases for my new Samsung Galaxy S24+. It’s not the first case I’ve reviewed, but the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 has me wondering if I can finally retire my old wallet.
What Is Smartish?
Established in 2009, Smartish is an Austin-based company that creates phone cases and accessories that “solve unexpected needs.” Primarily focused on the Apple crowd, Smartish has multiple case styles that fit phones all the way back to the iPhone 6. They also make a plethora of accessories, from Magsafe chargers to more universal fare like cables, car chargers, and case straps. And for those of us who prefer superior phones to name brands, Smartish also makes the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for the last few generations of Samsung’s Galaxy lineup.
The Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 – Case Design
The Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 is trying to be a wallet, but first and foremost, it has to be a good phone case. At first glance, the Wallet Slayer is similar to other protective cases on the market. The Wallet Slayer’s base style, the Black Tie Affair, has a matte black finish. There are also a handful of other premade styles, like the Spaced Out version I received, or you can create a personalized design using the Smartish Design Studio.
The Design Studio lets you adjust the case’s color, add text and emojis, and upload your own photos or artwork (copyrighted materials are not allowed). Then, you can use simple editing tools to resize, rotate, mirror, and layer the different elements of your design. The entire process only takes minutes to complete, and it only adds a $10 upcharge and a few extra days to the shipping time.
Regardless of which design you choose or create, the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 is made of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) with a mildly textured surface with a good feel—not so rough that it irritates your skin but grippy enough that it won’t fly out of your hand as you spin around to get a cool pic or follow the action for a video. The sides have slightly more texture than the back of the case to give you confidence that your phone won’t slip out of your hand even while you have it raised in the air for a selfie. Finger grooves along the sides further add to the comfort and security of the case’s feel.
Although I didn’t test the Wallet Slayer’s protective qualities beyond a couple of accidental drops, Smartish rates it for 50 drops from a height of 6 feet. TPU is more flexible than hard plastics, making it an excellent shock absorber in a thin form factor. It is also abrasion-resistant, so it doesn’t show scuffs (or fingerprints) as readily as rubber or silicone and doesn’t turn yellow over time. The edge of the case extends 1mm over the phone’s screen to provide ample protection at any angle if dropped on a flat or slightly curved surface. Given these qualities, the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 is a sturdy case that will protect your phone under regular use.
The Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 – A Better Wallet Than Your Wallet?
Of course, the Wallet Slayer’s standout feature is its use as a wallet. This is done by adding an extra cavity on the back of the case. Cards and cash are stored by sliding them into the credit card-sized slot, and a small thumb-sized opening is used to push them back out. Smartish says the cavity can hold up to three cards and some cash. In actual use, I found the internal spring could securely hold from one to four cards in place. A fifth card would fit, but it made a significant bulge in the case and made it difficult to slide the cards back out when you needed to use them. A few bills can be stored in the slot if you are willing to give up some card space, but only expect to be able to carry three or four bills.
The extra cavity does add some girth to the case, but it doesn’t feel any different in my hand than my regular flat case; someone with a smaller hand may have different results. The edges are also curved, so there aren’t any sharp corners to accidentally slice a finger. The only time I noticed the shape of the case when compared to a flat-back option was when holding the phone in both hands while texting. Even then, the Wallet Slayer felt comfortable and secure.
As for its walleting abilities, The Wallet Slayer is perfect when you want to go minimalist. Going for a jog or bike ride? Just toss a credit card and ID into the Wallet Slayer, and off you go. It also worked great at the amusement park and for a trip to the farmer’s market last weekend. And I can’t wait to use the Wallet Slayer when I go on vacation – no worrying about losing my wallet while away from home.
That doesn’t mean that the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 can completely replace your regular wallet, at least not on its own. The ability to hold four cards may sound like enough space. However, if you want to replace your entire wallet, you’ll have to carry your driver’s license and any other non-credit cards you need in the Wallet Slayer, ultimately limiting the space for credit cards. If you only use a single credit card, that may not be a problem. I carry multiple credit cards to take advantage of multiple cashback offers (Discover currently offers 5% back at Walmart and grocery stores, and so on), so I often need to carry more cards and IDs than the Wallet Slayer can hold.
That’s where pairing the Wallet Slayer with Google Wallet (or whatever digital wallet you use on your phone) comes into play. I carry the physical cards I need – my driver’s license, work ID, primary credit card (in case a place doesn’t have tap to pay), and a couple of bills – in the Wallet Slayer, with the rest of my cards tagging along in digital form. I don’t have to worry about forgetting my wallet when I leave the house, and having one less item in my pocket is fantastic.
