Housings at Global Swanky are protective phone shells, led by an aluminium alloy magnetic case with a hollow metal frame and built-in stand for iPhone 12 Pro to iPhone 15 Pro Max. It costs $23.32, with free US shipping.

On this page

1. What Are Housings?
2. What's in Our Housings Collection?
3. About the Aluminium Magnetic Housing
4. Compatible iPhone Models
5. Metal Housings vs Other Materials
6. Benefits of Metal Housings
7. Things to Check Before You Buy
8. Who Metal Shells Suit
9. Magnets and Medical Devices
10. How to Choose a Phone Housing
11. How to Fit and Remove a Metal Housing
12. Using the Stand and Magnetic Mounts
13. Caring for Aluminium Housings
14. Signs It's Time to Replace a Housing
15. Housings or Full Phone Cases?
16. Housings Price and Value
17. Shipping, Returns and Support
18. Housings FAQs
19. Find the Right Housing

What Are Housings?

A housing is a protective outer shell that encloses a device or mechanism. It shields what's inside from knocks, dust and dirt, and often provide mounting points or a grip.

The word covers everything from engine and bearing housings to camera and phone housings. In our store, housings means protective shells for smartphones.

Housings in engineering

Engineers use them to protect internal parts, keep them clean and give them a structure to attach to. They're most often made of metal or plastic, and some are sealed against water.

Phone housings vs phone cases

A phone housing and a phone case do the same job: they wrap the phone in a protective shell. "Housing" is more common in manufacturing and repair, while shoppers usually say "case".

Other uses of the word

Outside engineering, "housing" also means homes and accommodation, and a horse's decorative cloth covering. This page is about protective shells only.

Protective shells vs replacement parts

Protective shells fit over your phone. Replacement parts are the phone's own back panel or frame, swapped during repairs. Our collection sells protective housings only.

What's in Our Housings Collection?

The collection currently lists one protective phone housing, in stock with all 28 options when we updated this page on October 7, 2026.

For a wider choice of materials and phone brands, browse our phone case collection.

About the Aluminium Magnetic Housing

This housing combines a metal frame with magnets and a fold-out stand, so it protects, mounts and props up your phone.

Design

The hollow, frameless design wraps the phone's edges in metal while leaving much of the back open. It keeps the phone slim and shows off its original finish.

Aluminium alloy construction

Aluminium alloy is light, rigid and strong for its weight. An electroplated finish adds colour and shine.

Magnetic attachment

Built-in magnets let the housing snap onto magnetic car mounts and desk holders. Check that your mount is magnetic before relying on it.

Built-in bracket stand

A fold-out bracket props the phone up upright or sideways. It suits video calls, recipes, navigation and films.

Colour options

Choose from Black, Blue, Far Peak Blue, Primary Color and Purple. Not every colour comes in every model, so check the options on the product page.

Compatible iPhone Models

The housing is a third-party accessory made to fit these Apple models.

How to check your model

Open Settings, then General, then About, and look at Model Name. Pro and Pro Max models have different camera layouts, so choose the exact match.

Metal Housings vs Other Materials

Phone shells come in many materials. Here's how metal compares.

Aluminium

Aluminium shells feel solid and look sleek. They protect edges well but offer less cushioning than soft materials.

Silicone and TPU

Soft shells absorb shock better on hard drops. Browse our silicone cases collection for softer options.

Leather and wallet styles

Leather styles add card slots and a classic look. See our wallet cases collection.

Benefits of Metal Housings

A metal shell suits people who want a slim, rigid shell with a premium look.

Rigid edge protection

A metal frame resists bending and protects the phone's corners and sides from everyday knocks.

Slim profile

Metal is strong even when thin, so the housing adds little bulk to your phone.

Premium look

Electroplated colours and polished metal give the phone a distinctive, high-end finish.

Magnetic mounting

Built-in magnets make it quick to attach the phone to car and desk holders.

Things to Check Before You Buy

Metal shells have a few trade-offs worth knowing.

Wireless charging

Metal can block or slow wireless charging. The hollow back on this housing leaves much of the phone exposed, but test charging when it arrives and remove the housing if charging is slow.

Signal

A full metal shell can weaken mobile signal slightly. Open, frameless designs reduce this, but check your signal bars after fitting.

Drop cushioning

Metal is rigid, so it passes more shock to the phone than soft silicone or TPU. Use a screen protector for extra protection.

Scratches and dents

Aluminium can scratch or dent on rough surfaces. Light marks are cosmetic and don't affect protection.

Pairing with a screen protector

The housing protects the edges and back, but not the glass. A tempered glass screen protector covers the display, so pair the two for full protection.

Who Metal Shells Suit

An aluminium phone housing suits some people better than others.

Commuters

A slim, rigid frame protects against knocks in bags and pockets without adding bulk.

Drivers

Built-in magnets make it quick to attach the phone to a magnetic car mount for navigation.

Minimalists

The open, frameless design shows off the phone's own finish and colour.

Streamers and video callers

The fold-out stand keeps the phone steady for films, recipes and calls without a separate holder.

Magnets and Medical Devices

Magnetic phone shells contain strong magnets. The FDA recommends keeping phones and other consumer electronics with strong magnets at least six inches away from implanted medical devices, especially cardiac defibrillators.

Don't carry a magnetic phone in a pocket over a pacemaker, and ask your doctor if you have questions. Keep magnetic-stripe cards and hotel key cards away from the magnets too.

How to Choose a Phone Housing

Follow these steps to choose the right housing:

1. Check your exact iPhone model in Settings.
2. Decide between metal, silicone, TPU or leather.
3. Choose the features you need, such as magnets or a stand.
4. Check the colour is available for your model.
5. Consider wireless charging and signal.
6. Add a screen protector for full coverage.

How to Fit and Remove a Metal Housing

Fit a metal shell carefully to avoid scratching the phone.

Fitting

Remove any dust from the phone first. Line up the camera cut-out, then press the phone into the frame from one side, working around the edges.

Removing

Push gently from the camera opening at the back, easing one corner out first. Don't lever the frame with sharp tools.

Using the Stand and Magnetic Mounts

The built-in stand and magnets make the housing more than a shell.

Video calls and streaming

Fold out the bracket and turn the phone sideways for films, or keep it upright for video calls.

In the car

Attach the phone to a magnetic car mount for navigation. Set your route before driving and keep your eyes on the road.

On the desk

A magnetic desk holder keeps the phone upright for notifications and meetings.

Caring for Aluminium Housings

A little care keeps a metal shell looking new.

• Wipe the housing with a soft, dry cloth to remove fingerprints.
• Clean marks with a slightly damp cloth, then dry fully.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners, which scratch electroplated finishes.
• Remove grit from inside the frame, since trapped dust can scratch the phone.
• Keep it away from sand and keys in pockets and bags.

Signs It's Time to Replace a Housing

Replace a phone shell when you notice any of these:

• Bent or cracked metal, which no longer grips the phone evenly.
• A loose fit, where the phone slides or rattles inside the frame.
• Weak magnets that no longer hold on mounts.
• A stiff or broken stand that won't stay open.
• A new phone, since even small size changes affect the fit.

Housings or Full Phone Cases?

Open, frameless shells suit people who want edge protection, a slim profile and a metal look. Full-coverage cases suit people who drop their phone often and want maximum cushioning.

If you want more coverage or a different phone brand, our phones and accessories collection has more options.

Housings Price and Value

Our housings cost $23.32 for every colour and model. Comparable aluminium magnetic phone shells usually sell for around $20 to $50, while premium metal and aramid fibre cases can cost more.

Standard US shipping is free on every order.

Shipping, Returns and Support

We ship housings to US addresses only, and standard shipping is free. Most orders arrive within 6 to 32 business days, and you can track your order once it ships.

Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery if the item is new, unused and in its original packaging, with no restocking fee. Read the full terms in our return policy, and contact our support team if your order arrives damaged.

Housings FAQs

What are housings?

Housings are protective outer shells that enclose and protect a device or mechanism. In engineering they cover engines, bearings and electronics. In our store, housings are protective shells for smartphones, which shield the phone's edges and back from knocks and scratches.

Is a phone housing the same as a phone case?

Yes, in everyday use, since both wrap the phone in a protective shell. "Housing" is more common in manufacturing and repair, while "case" is the usual shopping term. A replacement housing is different, as it replaces the phone's own back panel.

Which iPhones does your housing fit?

It fits iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, and iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. Colour choice varies by model.

Does a metal housing block wireless charging?

Metal can block or slow wireless charging. This housing has a hollow back that leaves much of the phone exposed, but results vary by charger. Test it when it arrives, and remove the housing if charging is slow or stops.

Will a metal housing affect my signal?

A full metal shell can reduce mobile signal slightly. Open, frameless designs like ours cover less of the phone, which limits this. Check your signal bars after fitting, and remove the housing if you notice dropped calls or slow data.

Are magnetic housings safe with a pacemaker?

The FDA recommends keeping phones and other electronics with strong magnets at least six inches from implanted medical devices, especially defibrillators. Don't carry a magnetic phone in a pocket over the device, and ask your doctor or cardiologist for advice on safe distances.

Does the housing work with magnetic car mounts?

Yes, built-in magnets let it attach to magnetic car mounts and desk holders. Check the mount is magnetic and strong enough for your phone's weight, and set navigation before you start driving. The housing also works with magnetic desk stands.

Is aluminium better than silicone?

Aluminium is rigid, slim and premium-looking, and protects edges well. Silicone absorbs shock better on hard drops and feels softer. Choose metal for looks and slimness, or silicone for cushioning, and add a tempered glass screen protector either way for full coverage.

Will the housing scratch my phone?

Not if fitted correctly. Clean the phone and the inside of the housing before fitting, and remove grit regularly. Trapped dust and sand cause most scratches, so check inside the frame every few weeks and wipe it clean with a dry cloth.

Does the price change by model or colour?

No. Every colour and model option costs $23.32, and standard US shipping is free on every order. Some colours are only available for certain models, so check the options on the product page before adding it to your cart and checking out.

How long does shipping take?

Most orders arrive within 6 to 32 business days of being placed. That covers 1 to 2 business days of handling and 5 to 30 business days in transit. Standard shipping is free on every order, and we currently ship to US addresses only.

Can I return a housing?

Yes, within 30 days of delivery, if the housing is new, unused and in its original packaging. Email support@globalswanky.com with your order number, the product name and the reason for the return, then wait for instructions. There's no restocking fee.

Find the Right Housing

Choosing from our housings comes down to three checks: your exact iPhone model, whether you want a rigid metal look or softer cushioning, and whether you need magnets and a stand. For a slim, premium metal shell, the aluminium magnetic housing is a strong choice.

Ready to choose? Scroll up to the product, pick your colour and model, and add it to your cart. For more choice, browse our phone case collection.