If you’ve just spent an exorbitant amount of money on a new smartphone, chances are you’re also going to want to buy a case to keep it scratch-free for as long as possible.
But why waste your hard-earned money on a flimsy bit of plastic that you just know won’t fit the next model when it comes out and society demands that you upgrade? With this simple–and kind of hypnotic–trick, you can turn any old balloon into your next smartphone case!
This is, admittedly, not something you’d want to have wrapped around your phone for any great length of time, and unlike most cases you won’t have access to your phone’s various ports or earphone jack, but if you’re ever in a fix (or just want a neat party trick!) this certainly looks like it’d do the job!
▼ Just place your pocket buddy on top of an inflated balloon while a friend holds the end loosely.
▼ Push down slowly with both hands, keeping the phone in the centre of the balloon.
▼ A little more…
▼ Ta-daa!
You now have a snug-fitting rubber case for your precious smartphone, complete with a weird dongley thing at the bottom to hang charms from.
Is anyone else dying to see someone blow that balloon back up now?
Source/images: Byoukan Sunday
Small hands? Japanese Twitterer gets creative and makes handy case for the wider iPhone 6
Turn your smartphone into a magical girl with two new Sailor Moon iPhone cases
Love your iPhone? Then wrap it in one of these individually carved wooden cases from Hiroshima!
Indecisive Sailor Moon fan? New line of smartphone cases might be just what you’re looking for
Edible iPhone 5 Case Made From Rice Cracker Protects Your Life but not Your iPhone
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
We create a Japanese izakaya pub at home with an amazing all-in-one kitchen gadget
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Japan’s budget chain restaurant Saizeriya might just be the perfect first date location
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese cat owner’s kitty becomes her iPhone case, fills tech fans and animal lovers with envy
Why is the iPhone the smartphone of choice for young Japanese women?
Love disembodied women’s hands? Here’s a great iPhone case for you, you big weirdo
Turn your iPhone into a Sheikah Slate with official Nintendo Zelda: Breath of the Wild phone case
Just bought an iPhone 6? Keep it safe and stylish with a Sailor Moon case
Detached female hand iPhone cases are here to provide…emotional comfort?
Cracked smartphone screens could be a thing of the past far sooner than we thought
I’ve got my hunches, but this iPhone banana case probably doesn’t grow in bunches
Still no hoverboards, but 2015 has now given us this cool Back to the Future Delorean iPhone case
Japan belongs to Apple: iPhone claims top 10 spots in total smartphone sales in November
Cardcaptor Sakura is ready to capture your phone with this elegant anime iPhone case
Not getting enough attention with your iPhone? Stick a couple of Iwashitas on it
Connect to sushi-poo Wi-Fi using smartphone or tablet devices
Here’s an easy way to check if the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will fit in your pocket
Hidden smartphone feature reveals a strange Japanese emoticon
Keep in touch with all your Scout Corps friends with this Attack on Titan iPhone case