Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsOverpriced
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 December 2023
After owning an Apple silicon case, they're undoubtedly not worthy of the price tag as within nine months, to be honest, even at six months, mine became grubby-looking like I had owned it for years, even with care. The main issue at the nine-month mark was one of the lower corners ripped off for no apparent justification, disintegrating in my fingers. Once peeling starts, there’s no fix; it worsens. I managed to squeeze out a few extra months due to stubbornness for the price I paid. Still, it undoubtedly needed replacing as the rip continued to travel, and a significant chunk of silicone tore off. I could have claimed on their warranty and had a replacement. Still, ultimately, getting that replacement is cleverly made to be more hassle than it was worth, and the same would’ve happened again as it’s a familiar fault, particularly with their silicone cases. Ideally, not thrilled to shell out another £50 for a product of unsatisfactory quality, I looked for alternatives that were as comfortable as my original case was in the beginning and had the same MagSafe strength as I use a MagSafe charging stand and in-car chargers, as well as being more durable than my previous case. But most of all, that isn't made entirely of silicon that would ultimately peel.
I have been using the case for one week. I separate my reviews into four categories covering the pros, mids and cons, and ultimately, my conclusion on whether I recommend purchasing, allowing you to concentrate on the areas of your interest. I try to be as in-depth as possible, answering questions I had myself before my purchase.
Pro
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* At least from the product I received, the magnet is strong and firmly adheres to my charging stand. I would compare the strength to Apple's MagSafe case. I appreciate from some videos that others have shown that they haven't been as lucky where theirs has a non-existent hold, and it instantly falls. For me, it worked well.
* It contours to the iPhone without a noticeable increase in bulk or weight. The buttons are also responsive and aren't sensitive or firm to operate.
* I charge primarily with 15w MagSafe using my stand. The case doesn't cause my phone to overheat.
Med
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* The case is tight-fitting. I had to use a reasonable amount of force to get it on. Removing it was even more challenging, taking some time to pry off, thankfully, without causing damage to the case or the iPhone's finish on the sides. That said, because of the tension to remove when needed, the case has developed slight bending. With the phone inserted, it straightens again.
* The lip of the camera section is overpronounced, angling the device around 6°. Because of this, you won't be able to use a Qi pad without removing the case. I tested this with my Belkin 3-1 standard Qi base for slower speed overnight charging instead of the 15w that the pads on the stand also offer, but unfortunately, it doesn't work due to not laying flat. However, it works well with the Magsafe pads as there is enough clearance
Con
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* Although silicone has flaws, I prefer to use it for its grip. As I find plastic coatings too slippery, I selected the colour black as others have said this was “matte finished”, which generally has more of a grip than a simple clear. I was wrong. Even with the expected gripper matte finish, there is minimal grip. The sides have a slight texture, though still very slippy to hold; it is on par with Apple's clear MagSafe case, which I dislike. In all the years I’ve owned iPhones, I’ve never doubted I’d drop my device, and thankfully, I haven’t. However, I do have my concerns about this case. If I have this problem with the black version, the basic clear will undoubtedly be more problematic. I also chose this colour as I wasn't a massive fan of the prominent white magnetic ring, and at least in black, it was more inconspicuous. Textured raised grips on the sides would have massively improved the comfort.
* The black version is a serious fingerprint magnet. I’m not usually too fussy as it’s evitable, but using this case, I had to wet clean it and buff it throughout the day as fingerprints severely overtook it; it didn’t just look a little grubby as expected but looked embarrassingly filthy. Minutes after cleaning the case and washing my hands, it reverted as though I hadn’t cleaned it in the first place. Even in winter, when the natural oil on my hands is low, I imagine it will worsen in the warmer months. If fingerprints annoy you, then this colour selection will. I’ve given up trying to fight a losing battle and clean it thoroughly every few days.
Conclusion
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In my opinion, the case is not worth the £27 I paid for it. A maximum of £15 would be more reasonable. Although the vast amount of positive reviews initially drew me in, I found that this case did not live up to its expectations, and upon looking further into the current 12,000 reviews, I find them questionable in authenticity as those that have left a review this has been their only on Amazon. Odd? I think so, too. Anything rated below perfection is hidden out of sight unless specific search filters are selected. Again, strange.
If you're looking for an alternative to silicon cases, this might be an option, as it won't peel. However, it is not the most comfortable to use for extended periods since it's slippery and can cause fatigue to the hand from holding firmly. Also, the excessive accumulation of fingerprints and the inability to charge with Qi with the case attached may be a deal-breaker for some. As we tend to spend more time on our devices, a phone case should be comfortable to use and provide peace of mind, not be both for protection and the cause of potential damage from dropping.
A rating of 3 is due to the magnet staying intact, living up to its strength claim, and the case doesn't add unnecessary size or weight. It’s a shame about the grip being minimal, as I can forgive the fingerprint attraction to a degree.