Back in 2016 and 2017, owning an iPhone was a little like having a sports car with a tiny petrol tank. It looked great, it performed brilliantly, but it couldn’t go the distance without refuelling. For millions of iPhone users, battery life and storage were daily frustrations.

Enter Kukecase.

For a brief period, this oddly named brand caught the attention of tech blogs, gadget lovers, and Apple enthusiasts. Kukecase promised to do what Apple wouldn’t: give you a case that not only protected your phone, but also added more battery power and expandable memory. It sounded like the ultimate fix.

Sites like PhoneArena, TrendHunter, Gadgetsin, and forums such as MacRumors wrote about it. Readers were intrigued. Finally, an iPhone case that could solve two of the biggest problems at once.

But fast forward to today, and Kukecase has vanished. The website is gone, the brand is silent, and the products are nowhere to be found. So what happened? And more importantly, what does that story tell us about what people actually want from their phone cases today?

The Big Idea Behind Kukecase

Kukecase’s concept was simple but clever. It was a battery case for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus that also had a microSD card slot.

That meant:

• Your iPhone could last longer on a single charge.
• You could expand storage up to 256GB — a huge deal when Apple was still selling cramped 16GB and 32GB models.
• You got drop protection in the bargain.

It seemed like a win–win. Apple’s own “Smart Battery Case” was famously ugly with its bulging hump, while Kukecase looked sleeker and promised more features.

On paper, it should have been a runaway success.

Why Kukecase Didn’t Take Off

The truth is, Kukecase had a fatal flaw: bulk.

Yes, it solved problems, but it made your slim, elegant iPhone feel like a brick. In chasing functionality, it sacrificed the very thing people loved about Apple devices — sleekness.

And here’s the thing: this wasn’t just a Kukecase problem. Even Apple’s official Smart Battery Case has never been a big seller. Why? Because most people don’t actually want a fat, heavy phone in their hand just to get more battery.

The market has shown the same pattern for years:

• If people need more charge, they carry a slim portable power bank.
• For storage, cloud solutions like iCloud and Google Drive replaced the need for physical expansion.
• When it comes to cases, consumers prefer something light, stylish, and personal over bulky utility gadgets.

In other words, Kukecase was smart, but it went against the grain of what people really wanted. And when you add in competition from heavyweights like Mophie and Anker, plus the difficulty of running a hardware startup, Kukecase never stood a chance long term.

By 2018, the site was offline, the products discontinued, and Kukecase quietly disappeared.

The Legacy of Kukecase

Even though it didn’t survive, Kukecase left behind a useful lesson: people don’t just want utility from a phone case. They want something that feels good to use, looks good to carry, and — increasingly — something that expresses who they are.

That’s why the market shifted. Battery cases became niche. Slim, personalised protective cases took centre stage. Instead of asking, “How many hours can this case add?”, buyers started asking, “Does this case feel like me?”

Can You Still Buy Kukecase in 2025?

No — Kukecase is gone.

There’s no official production, no shop, and no way to buy new stock. At best, you might stumble on an old second-hand unit on eBay, but chances are the battery will be degraded and the usefulness long gone.

If you’ve landed here searching for Kukecase, the more important question is: what’s the modern alternative?

From Bulk to Beauty: The Rise of Personalised Cases

Think about it. In 2016, the “killer feature” was squeezing more battery and memory into a clunky shell. In 2025, the killer feature is making your phone case an extension of your identity.

Today’s winners aren’t the bulkiest cases — they’re the sleekest, most personal ones.

That’s why even Apple’s Smart Battery Case never became mainstream, while the market for custom cases has exploded. People would rather carry a slim external charger in their bag than walk around with a phone that looks like a house brick. But they do want a case that shows off their favourite photos, designs, or quotes.

That’s exactly where DesignMyCase comes in.

Why DesignMyCase is the Natural Successor

Kukecase solved yesterday’s problems. DesignMyCase solves today’s.

Here’s what makes it the natural alternative:

Personalisation: Upload your own photos, add text, choose colours, and create a design that’s 100% yours.

Protection: Slim, impact-resistant cases that keep your phone safe without making it bulky.

Choice: From wallet cases to clear cases to tough impact cases, there’s a style for everyone.

Compatibility: Covers the latest devices, including iPhone 16 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and more.

Where Kukecase added thickness, DesignMyCase adds style. Where Kukecase made phones heavier, DesignMyCase makes them personal.

Explore our full collection of custom iPhone cases or personalised Samsung Galaxy cases.

Kukecase vs DesignMyCase: Side by Side

FAQs

Is Kukecase still available?
No, the brand has been discontinued for years.

Why didn’t Kukecase succeed?
Because it was bulky. People didn’t want a heavy, thick phone just for extra battery and storage.

Why do Apple battery cases barely sell now?
For the same reason: bulk. Consumers prefer slim phones with stylish cases, plus portable chargers if they need extra power.

What’s the best alternative to Kukecase today?
A slim portable charger for power, and a personalised protective case from DesignMyCase for everyday use.

Is DesignMyCase the same as Kukecase?
No. Kukecase no longer exists. DesignMyCase is a modern brand offering a totally different approach: customisation, style, and sleek protection.

Final Thoughts: From Clunky Add-Ons to Sleek Personalisation

Kukecase is a fascinating little time capsule of the mid-2010s. It tried to solve two very real problems — iPhone storage limits and battery anxiety — and it briefly grabbed attention from some of the world’s biggest tech outlets.

But in the end, bulk killed it.

The very thing it offered — more features — came at the cost of sleekness. And that’s something iPhone owners have never been willing to sacrifice.

That’s why even Apple’s own battery cases gather dust while personalised, lightweight cases dominate today’s market. People would rather show off their personality than carry a brick in their pocket.

And that’s why DesignMyCase is the true successor to that legacy. It doesn’t add a lump to your phone. It adds you.

Discover the full range of personalised phone cases today and create something uniquely yours.