12 Pro Max case advice ? UAG Pathfinder or Otterbox Symmetry +

[Irvin792]

Looking for opinions between these two cases. I want a case that will not look like junk after a drop on a hard floor (my pelican protector is peeling at the corners on the back and cracking in one cornes)

The Pathfinder looks to have robust rubber corners that won’t die in a fall, but the otter box will have MagSafe comparability so I know one will have advantages over the other, I am just looking at a protection perspective

thanks

 

[artfossil]

When I got my Pro Max, most of the Otterbox cases weren’t available. I bought a UAG Civilian, which I love because it’s very protective without looking like a tank and the build quality is superb. It isn’t MagSafe, but my priority is protection. (Tile floors, cats and general distraction and clumsiness).

Reading about the Otterbox cases this year, it seems that most of them are lacking in both protection and quality. But there’s a LONG thread where you can read about almost every case made for the Pro Max.

Which Case Did You Get For Your New iPhone 12/Mini/Pro/Max? [Merged]

Last Year’s Thread for reference: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/which-case-did-you-get-for-your-new-iphone-11-pro-max-merged.2197200/

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Irvin792]

Thank you for your response, yea I have been searching around and didn’t see much info on the pathfinder. I do love the civilian’s looks better than the pathfinder, does the civilian survive hard floor drops pretty good? I have all tile downstairs so drops are always unforgiving

 

[artfossil]

Thank you for your response, yea I have been searching around and didn’t see much info on the pathfinder. I do love the civilian’s looks better than the pathfinder, does the civilian survive hard floor drops pretty good? I have all tile downstairs so drops are always unforgiving

I’ve already dropped it on my tile floors with no damage! It has great drop protection, including corner cushioning and a substantial lip on the front.

 

[Robbosan]

neither

 

[Irvin792]

neither

Care to elaborate? What’s your recommendation?

 

[Motionblurrr]

I love both of those cases (especially the symmetry) but I would suggest you check out UAG's Monarch series in black leather or the carbon. The case isn't really that large and about the same size as the Symmetry/Patherfinder, except the corners hare slightly thicker for drop protection. UAG is one of the few companies that can mold and design the thicker corners to look nice on the case because most cases with thicker corners look ugly.

The UAG Monarch will look brand new for years and it'll protect your phone like an Otterbox defender. I think they come with a ridiculous 10 year warranty too lol

 

[Irvin792]

I love both of those cases (especially the symmetry) but I would suggest you check out UAG's Monarch series in black leather or the carbon. The case isn't really that large and about the same size as the Symmetry/Patherfinder, except the corners hare slightly thicker for drop protection. UAG is one of the few companies that can mold and design the thicker corners to look nice on the case because most cases with thicker corners look ugly.

The UAG Monarch will look brand new for years and it'll protect your phone like an Otterbox defender. I think they come with a ridiculous 10 year warranty too lol

Is the Pathfinder and Monarch the same thickness or is the Pathfinder a little slimmer? I’m trying to find that sweet spot between protection and size.

My wife got a leopard symmetry yesterday (non MagSafe) and I like it, very tight fitting as everyone notes. The hard plastic parts don’t seem like they would like to meet a hard surface though.

I love the size of the Pelican Protector (love the camo colorway also) but if this case actually hits the hard ground it starts to break down really fast (rubber starts to separate from the hard plastic parts of the case at the seams). They have a great lifetime warranty but I would rather not have to replace it every time after several drops (even at the 7$ shipping price)

My first one didn’t last longer than a couple months, so I do t have faith in its warranty replacement to last much longer.

side note, one drop was pretty drastic , the phone has no damage at all , so the case did a good job in doing what it’s named after at least.

 

[WNYX]

Have you made your decision yet? If I were in your shoes, this would be a tough choice for me. I like the looks and shape of the Otterbox Symmetry cases but I like the colors of the UAG Pathfinder cases a lot more.

 

[Irvin792]

My dilemma exactly haha , and the symmetry has MagSafe for what that is worth (I do have the charger)

I’m leaning towards the Pathfinder but have not made a choice yet. (I know the corners are better protection but they are not my fav)

If I go OB Symmetry it would be the white one.

 

[Robbosan]

Care to elaborate? What’s your recommendation?

Pathfinder = slippery as a bar of soap.
OB symmetry magsafe = sag on bottom, back is slippery, ring on back from magsafe wipes off though, buttons excellent.

 

[Motionblurrr]

Is the Pathfinder and Monarch the same thickness or is the Pathfinder a little slimmer? I’m trying to find that sweet spot between protection and size.

My wife got a leopard symmetry yesterday (non MagSafe) and I like it, very tight fitting as everyone notes. The hard plastic parts don’t seem like they would like to meet a hard surface though.

I love the size of the Pelican Protector (love the camo colorway also) but if this case actually hits the hard ground it starts to break down really fast (rubber starts to separate from the hard plastic parts of the case at the seams). They have a great lifetime warranty but I would rather not have to replace it every time after several drops (even at the 7$ shipping price)

My first one didn’t last longer than a couple months, so I do t have faith in its warranty replacement to last much longer.

side note, one drop was pretty drastic , the phone has no damage at all , so the case did a good job in doing what it’s named after at least.

They’re almost identical in size. Also, the dimensions listed on their website are virtually the exact same between the Monarch & Pathfinder.

trust me, you will NOT be disappointed with the Monarch. It feels very premium and expensive (because it is lol). It punches above its weight in protection considering it’s slimmer size.

 

[Hooterville]

Pathfinder = slippery as a bar of soap.
OB symmetry magsafe = sag on bottom, back is slippery, ring on back from magsafe wipes off though, buttons excellent.

100% correct. Love my orange Pathfinder though.

 

[Glideslope]

Looking for opinions between these two cases. I want a case that will not look like junk after a drop on a hard floor (my pelican protector is peeling at the corners on the back and cracking in one cornes)

The Pathfinder looks to have robust rubber corners that won’t die in a fall, but the otter box will have MagSafe comparability so I know one will have advantages over the other, I am just looking at a protection perspective

thanks

Just an FYI, my wife went with the OB Commuter with her new 12. The Symmetry was a little too thin for her. Her Mag Safe does charge it on her nightstand, however it will not stay attached any other way than with the phone resting on top. She rarely ends the day less than 40%.

While it’s not a UAG I find her Commuter very comfortable and rugged. She was also able to get a great discount on the non Mag Safe ones as they are clearing them to bring out the Mag Safe Commuter.

Hope you find what you need. 👍

 

[Irvin792]

So I went off grid and got the Pelican Shield G10 Camo case. It was on sale on Amazon for 36$ so I couldn’t pass up the deal. It’s bulky but not as big as I was expecting it to be so that is a nice surprise.

those damn symmetrical speaker cutouts tho, my Pelican Protector has the correct cutouts so not sure how that didn’t make it to the more flagship case.

So far I like it a lot. I was hesitant to get a case with port flaps but these are not soft rubber that will get flappy over time, so that is nice also.

I like their replacement warranty for this case too, you break it , they replace it. Not just for defects in materials or in how it was made. Pretty sweet if you ask me.