Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

dgdosen

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Dec 13, 2003
2,842
1,480
Seattle
I've had a couple of recent iPhone cases (for an iPhone12) and they've gotten destroyed in what I consider very little use. Chunks are disappearing from the edge of the cases. These cases are not very durable - compared to say, a watch band... For $50 - I'm disappointed.
 
I've had a couple of recent iPhone cases (for an iPhone12) and they've gotten destroyed in what I consider very little use. Chunks are disappearing from the edge of the cases. These cases are not very durable - compared to say, a watch band... For $50 - I'm disappointed.
I’ve never tried the leather cases from Apple but the silicone ones don’t hold up well if you’re a little rough with them. I had the battery case that was silicone and it peeled. I now have the silicone MagSafe case and it’s peeling and has a crack on the corner.

On the positive side I’ve dropped my iPhone 13 Pro Max a few times and the thin Apple silicone case has protected it. That could be because the 13 is significantly improved over the 12 but I don’t think so. I’ve managed to crack my 12 Pro Max in an OtterBox.
 
The silicone cases are trash—my iPhone 12 was in perfect condition when I turned it into Apple for credit except for some dings and chips on the bottom corners where all of the (three I think) Apple-branded silicone cases chunked away every time I would drop the device until the phone itself was damaged. I’m not that klutzy nor do I drop my phone that often but hey **** happens and as a non-driver I do walk a lot, making the occasional accident more likely.

Although they aren’t as pretty or as nice to the touch I’ve been sticking with the clear, hard plastic Apple MagSafe cases and other than some impact-borne cracking they do tend to hold up much better in my experience.

I don’t do the leather cases because of potential water damage and how ugly the fake “patina” (usually just filth and grime buildup) is on cheap-quality leather.
 
  • Like
Reactions: russell_314
The silicone cases are trash—my iPhone 12 was in perfect condition when I turned it into Apple for credit except for some dings and chips on the bottom corners where all of the (three I think) Apple-branded silicone cases chunked away every time I would drop the device until the phone itself was damaged. I’m not that klutzy nor do I drop my phone that often but hey **** happens and as a non-driver I do walk a lot, making the occasional accident more likely.

Although they aren’t as pretty or as nice to the touch I’ve been sticking with the clear, hard plastic Apple MagSafe cases and other than some impact-borne cracking they do tend to hold up much better in my experience.

I don’t do the leather cases because of potential water damage and how ugly the fake “patina” (usually just filth and grime buildup) is on cheap-quality leather.
I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos about phone cases in how they perform during drops. Some cases can be very durable but offer zero shock protection. The case will hold up perfectly but the phone inside will be destroyed. I’m a little disgruntled that my Apple silicone case didn’t hold up better but if it protects my phone then I can deal with that.

I’ve seen a lot of really nice clear plastic cases that I liked. I bought one thinking it would work with MagSafe but no the puck just falls off. I’ve looked on Amazon and saw a few but nothing that really made me decide to buy. Looks are important but I also want to make sure it offers a good amount of protection because I am a klutz and usually break my phones ?

I thought about buying the Apple leather case. I’ve never heard of an issue with water damage. Is it because the leather absorbs moisture?
 
I love the feel of the Apple silicone cases and they are usually my go to case. However, the ones for my 12 Pro have chipped with small falls and also have picked up weird discoloration that takes a ton of work to remove.
 
Does she keep it in her pocket or purse? I think a phone in a purse might get less wear.
Nope, usually gets shoved in her back jeans pocket. I keep my cheapo transparent case in my purse though and it's held up well, despite the fact my purse carries everything from keys, to drugs and all manner of makeup crap. Pretty sure Jimmy Hoffa is on that thing as well...
 
  • Haha
Reactions: russell_314
Nope, usually gets shoved in her back jeans pocket. I keep my cheapo transparent case in my purse though and it's held up well, despite the fact my purse carries everything from keys, to drugs and all manner of makeup crap. Pretty sure Jimmy Hoffa is on that thing as well...
Maybe I need to buy a “murse” ?
 
I am on my 3rd or 4th Apple leather case since I think my 10s. They have all stood up very well. The one for my 13PM is maybe the best of the bunch, even in black it is developing a nice patina and my Apple wallet is doing the same. The case for my 12PM had a small rough spot on the edge, I think from a drop, but with leather, the oils from your hands will eventually heal up small scuffs making them almost invisible. Mine is carried in my front pocket almost all day.
 
I really love the fit of the Apple silicon cases. What I don't like is how shiny they get from light use in so little time. Leather cases last a bit longer but a slight drop and they tear pretty easily. But nothing beats their fit.
 
Yes! I was just talking about this yesterday. The apple leather cases used to be worth it. My case for my 12pm is totally falling apart after less than 9 months. First time I dropped it, I broke the screen. When I finally broke down and got an apple case for my xsmax the apple case was head and shoulders better than the cheapo cases. This one is just as bad as the Amazon cases but 6 times the price.
 
The silicone case for my 13 Pro Max started dropping small chunks after only a couple of months. This was without ever dropping the phone and being a person who is very easy on cases in general. I won’t be purchasing one again. I’ve also had the silicone finish peel on multiple Apple Keyboard Folios. I don’t know why Apple can’t get this right when so many other small companies make cases that are so much more durable.
 
The cases aren't meant to stay 'like new.' They are designed to take abuse and age instead of the phone.

Sure. But a generic silicon cases cost $3-$10? I’ll be able to forgive the nicks and dents at that price. Toss it away every few months and get a new one.

For $50 I’d expect a premium silicon case to be more durable and stay pristine for at least a year (with reasonable abuse).
 
  • Like
Reactions: javisan
I've had a couple of recent iPhone cases (for an iPhone12) and they've gotten destroyed in what I consider very little use. Chunks are disappearing from the edge of the cases. These cases are not very durable - compared to say, a watch band... For $50 - I'm disappointed.
I had a silicon one on my iPhone X for years it was great now I’ve had a leather one two years and it’s fine. I’m not very hard on my stuff tho.
 
I've had a couple of recent iPhone cases (for an iPhone12) and they've gotten destroyed in what I consider very little use. Chunks are disappearing from the edge of the cases. These cases are not very durable - compared to say, a watch band... For $50 - I'm disappointed.
I have had at least 10 (every one) of the Apple Silicone cases do this too. If you drop them, it chips off a chunk of the rubber. It's crazy
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marty_Macfly
The apple cases are absolute garbage. I just buy the clear JETech TPU cases for my phones. They go brown after 6 months but cost nothing and actually do the job properly.
 
Had a Product(Red) silicone iPhone XS case when I first got my phone in Summer 2019… it started to peel off the corners and crack within like 6 months. Never dropped it.
FWIW anyone looking for a case should not buy a case made by Apple
 
  • Like
Reactions: robotica
Love the look of the apple silicone cases but they're trash, far worse than the cheapest off brand case. Mine for a 12 mini peeled after 10 months of no abuse, no drops, nothing. My wife had one for her SE and it chipped and peeled after four months. They need to be recalled, it's really hard to believe how bad they are.
 
The fit and feel of apple silicon those first few months is really nice. But for the price they should last way longer. Agreed.
 
I used to really like the silicone cases and never experienced peeling with them personally. I had one for my X as well as the battery case, and they eventually peeled when I sold it all to a friend. I used the clear case on 11PM, no issue. Then on the 12P I got a case mid-cycle and it's still fine. I don't currently have a case on my 13PM.

My wife on the other hand, had both her 7 and 12 mini silicone cases peel. Apple will replace the silicone case under ALW with receipt, so I had her get another for her 12 mini at the beginning of the year. Her new case has already started peeling. I wonder if the quality has gone down or whether I'm in the minority with my experience.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.