solid steel phone case weighs six pounds to limit people from using their devices

6 pound phone case makes people use devices less

6 Pound Phone Case wants to limit people from using their smartphones by creating a cover that is heavy, inconvenient, and made from solid stainless steel. A project developed by Matter Neuroscience, the case comes in two separate parts that are screwed together around the phone using an Allen wrench. This design, while it can be detached, stops users from easily removing the case when they feel tempted to use their devices for a long time. 

The project is based on a simple principle: if using the smartphone requires more effort in carrying it, people may use it less, especially if the case weighs six pounds, which is much heavier than a normal one. The weight makes holding the device for long periods uncomfortable, and the fatigue that comes encourages users to put the phone down after short use. Over time, the design team believes that when users keep trying to hold their phones up with the six-pound case, they start to feel the strain and will rather put their devices for some reduced screen time.

all images courtesy of Matter Neuroscience

design inspired by 1980s rectangular brick phones 

The 6 Pound Phone Case design includes openings for the charging port, volume buttons, and power button, integrated into the frame. The camera hole isn’t blocked, and even if it’s bulky and heavy, users are still more than welcome to use the messaging, calls, maps, camera, and other apps, so long as they’re not tired. It’s because the change is entirely physical rather than software, so the strain is much more felt. The design team says that for the 6 Pound Phone Case, they draw the inspiration from the 1980s mobile phones, the large rectangular brick phones. 

The look mimics that style with the overhangs at the top and bottom and the thickness of the case. Since it is heavy and made from steel, users who’d like to treat the accessory as a gym weight can do so, which is much healthier compared to them being locked into their screens for hours. So far, the 6 Pound Phone Case is compatible with iPhone models 13 through 17, including regular, Pro, and Pro Max versions, and Matter Neuroscience has yet to expand it to other models. The team’s campaign says that the delivery for the accessory begins in December 2025.

the design of the 6 Pound Phone Case is inspired by the brick telephones in the 1980s

there are opening ports for the volume and power buttons

the case weighs six pounds, which is much heavier than a normal one

users need to unscrew the case if they want to remove it

detailed view of the cover

the cover is made from solid stainless steel

project info:

name: 6 Pound Phone Case

design: Matter Neuroscience | @matterneuroscience

campaign: here

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