I use a sandwich bag from the supermarket. I found one just the right size for my iPhone. It’s way easier to slip in and out of the pocket then a thick or rubberised case and I can use all the phone services without having to take it out of the bag.
I normally just put it in the middle pocket of my jersey. Sometimes I put it put it in the thigh pocket of my cargo nicks, but only on easy-going rides, having damaged the phone on a small fall where my hip took the brunt. I was partway through a solo journey through the Pyrenees and I had no other form of communication or payment. Fortunately, the damage was cosmetic.
I’m currently using the rapha essentials case. It fits my iPhone 17 (sans case), keys, cards, Pedro’s levers, a TPU tube, and relevant allen keys just right.
I was using a Waterfield case before for many years but it was bigger than I needed once I switched to TPU tubes and ditched CO2 for a mini electric pump.
Cheese wrappers, when used and washed are effectively branded ziplock bags. Not sure what size would fit the phone but these are ubiquitous, free and you can recycle whilst you cycle!
Another vote for a plastic zip lock or other plastic bag, although I sometimes don’t bother if it isn’t going to rain, but if it is not in a plastic bag then I make sure to orient so that the charger port isn’t sticking up as I once got a load of grit in a micro-USB port that way when rolling along a filthy country lane which has a load of natural springs that keep it permanently wet.
Most of my jerseys have a zippable middle pocket so in that one so it can’t fall out.
I have a small Punkt phone that I just drop in a baggie if it’s raining. It goes in my saddle bag or an old Rapha wallet if I’m riding with people who look down on saddle bags.
I use one of these for my iPhone 15. Essentials Case - Camo | Accessories | Muc-Off UK I actaully got it discounted from Sigma Sports, so paid about £9. I used to not bother with a phone case when comuting but got knock off my bike by a distracted driver last September and smashed one of the camera lens. It cost £314 to replace the lens at the Apple Store, but thankful the driver paid for it eventually. I usally carry my phone in the centre rear pocket of my jersey or if wearing shorts/tights with thigh pockets in the right hand pocket, so its easily acessable. It’s always with the screen towards my body.
For those who put your phone in your back jersey pocket, do you still have enough room in your pockets to stash extra layers like jackets/vests? I went with a top tube bag for my phone mainly because of all the space that it took up in my back pockets. One thing to consider is that I am a small person and small person=small jersey=small pockets.
I wear XS jerseys and my iPhone 13 Pro lives in the right-hand pocket all the time. I have 1 or 2 jerseys where it pokes out a little but for the most part it always fits fine. I don’t put any additional protection on it aside from the case it always lives in.
Gilet/Jacket lives in the center pocket with my mini pump. The left pocket is for nutrition/food.
This is what I use, too. Handlebar bag changed my life. I’m not too worried about being aero–I need to fix my body position before I worry about the drag of a handlebar bag.
I use a Vaude Wallet to carry a lot of stuff in, including my phone, but my next phone will also probably be too big for it. So yeah if people have other recommendations for wallets that fit a phone plus other stuff (spare change, keys, creditcards, bandages, a few pills, a Leatherman PST,…) I would like to know it!
I held out as long as I could with my Mini, but it finally gave up the ghost a little over a year ago.
I don’t want a huge phone and the Mini was a great option. Really wish they would bring it back.
As to the original question - I just put my phone in one of my jersey pockets or occasionally in my cargo shorts pockets. No need for a wallet or similar products as most phones are waterproof enough today to withstand getting caught in the rain. Plus, I never liked the “hot sport” i would get on my back form having it in a case or plastic bag.
I use a Chrome Lage Phone Holster with my 15 Pro Max (https://chromeindustries.com/products/large-phone-pouch). It has a second small pocket that also serves to hold my ID, a credit card or two, my insurance card, a little bit of cash, and a spare house key. $25.00, fits in a jersey pocket, and provides some protection both from impacts (crash or dropping) and weather.