Apple Introduces New Guidelines Requiring iPhone Cases to Protect Phones From 1 Meter Drops

[sshambles]

I've had four iPhones for 6 years, and not shattered a single screen, all without the protection of a case. I love the Apple Leather case though, but rarely use it as I prefer nothing.

 

[ratigator]

I only use the Apple leather case because I like the grip it provides, without adding bulk. I don't have an unrealistic expectation that it will actually protect the phone from anything other than scratches.

 

[BJMRamage]

I'd like to think most people break phones from using them as opposed to not knowing how to put them in your jeans pocket.

fair enough. normally I am not moving too much when using it as compared to pulling it out or placing into a pocket.

I dropped my iP4 while pulling it out of my pants pocket to look at the time. crashed to concrete sidewalk...only a tiny sliver crack in the corner.

though, a couple months prior to iP6 I must have sat wrong and cracked the back in a large C shape

 

[TWSS37]

fair enough. normally I am not moving too much when using it as compared to pulling it out or placing into a pocket.

I dropped my iP4 while pulling it out of my pants pocket to look at the time. crashed to concrete sidewalk...only a tiny sliver crack in the corner.

though, a couple months prior to iP6 I must have sat wrong and cracked the back in a large C shape

Yeah I am sure plenty of people drop their phones at 1 meter or less, but I really, REALLY would like to think a phone - sans case - could absorb such an impact minus faceplanting or some other "just at the right angle" that is a weak spot. Just my 2 cents. I've broken phones plenty of ways in the past 5 years

 

[Glideslope]

how does apple's case comply with that wide open bottom edge? you can make a case with a lightning adapter/dock compatible opening at the bottom and not have it be wide open. Elago is doing so with the glide... I dropped my iPhone 6 plus on an eliptical machine from about 3 meters and that open edge on the apple case hit the machine just right and shattered the screen. not fun

They aren't. But Apple Says they are. So, they are. Easy enough.

 

[avanpelt]

Your reply... It makes no sense. (っ◕‿◕)っ

Actually, it does make sense. Along with the 1m drop protection, Apple is also requiring at least a 1mm lip around the front of the device to protect the screen from scratches when placed face down.

 

[charlituna]

LOL, so you can't make a case for the iphone unless you follow what Apple says? Or you just can't say its MFI certified?

the latter. As I recall they trademarked the phrase for using with their products so they can sue for trademark violation if someone uses it on their iphone/ipad anything and didnt get Apple's approval

 

[avanpelt]

The burden should be on the clumsy to protect their phones with extra bulk. I'm happy with mine thin without a case. No problems with durability here.

The burden *will* remain on the clumsy to protect their phones just as it always has been. They'll just have the option to buy MFi cases soon; and they will probably spend more money on their case just because it's "MFi-certified". No one said people who didn't want a case would be forced to buy an MFi case or any case at all, for that matter.

 

[Brandhouse]

Spell metre right!

 

[Richdmoore]

For an ordinary phone case, almost no one is going to bother to document, test, (and pay the licensing fee) to get the case mfi certified. No point to it.

But....

If you want to use a lightning port to charge/pass thru power for a battery case, you have no choice but to also comply with the protection and environmental requirements above. (Apple very recently said they would allow mfi accessories to use a lightning port, previously all mfi accessories had to use another cable to charge like micro use.). I think this is the real reason they added these requirements.

 

[manu chao]

I don't get it...how can apple force a third party company to ensure their product protects a device from accidental damage? Will the company be banned from making cases for their products?

They certainly would be banned from being sold in Apple Stores (incl. the online one). And they couldn't put a 'Certified xxx' on it. I don't think Apple can block them from selling something that claims to fit the iPhone as illegally using their trade name.

 

[rdlink]

Don't bother, some people are just perfect and never have had any accidents whatsoever...

Yep, that's me. Perfect. No accidents ever... LOL

Seriously, I have been extremely fortunate. I have owned 6 different models of iPhone, and have dropped them all. Cases. No cases. Carpet, tile, concrete, hardwood. Never had a cracked screen. My iPhone 5 got scratched all over the back edges within a week of getting it, because I tripped going up some stairs while I had it in my hand, and it went skittering across the concrete. But no broken screens.

Of course now that I've posted this....

 

[manu chao]

Being "careful" has nothing to do with it! Maybe it does a little bit, but accidents happen! I've had three iPhones for 6 years, none have had shattered screen. But they've been saved by a good case during accidents many times. And that's the thing. They are accidents, they happen!

I also had now four iPhones over six years with none of them any glass damage and that is without a case. And I drop them all the time. What probably helps a lot is that outside I drop them while the iPhone is 'plugged' into my ears, which means the iPhone drop speed is significantly reduced about 20 cm above ground, the moment when it needs to overcome the force keeping the headphone plug in.

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Apple will have to use thicker leather for their own cases.

Do those actually carry the label Mfi?

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Do you know how thin 1 mm actually is?

It's less than an inch, for sure.

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Agreed. They should use glass that doesn't break like every other smartphone maker.

Yeah, because Apple is only one using Gorilla Glas. Maybe plastic phones themselves are more robust (is they any anecdotal evidence of the iPhone 5(s) vs the 5c?).

 

[FlatlinerG]

Not sure how many case manufacturers case about the MFi program (I could be dead wrong) but given that a non-battery case has little need to have that accreditation for many consumers to buy it, why adhere to strict guidelines like this.

Clearly Apple wants to have as much control if they are allowing their branding. Makes sense. Esp since broken screens and bent phones are something the genius desk has to deal with.

I do wonder if in the future, AppleCare will adjust their policy to only be inclusive of accredited cases, etc for claims.

It would be more along the lines of what is easier when it comes to recommendation. I worked for AppleCare Support as tier 1, tier 2, and an instructor for both. They do get a lot of questions about cases and when something like that comes up, you need to be neutral in your recommendation. You can't just say, "Otterbox is the best". This would allow support to let the customer know to just look for the "Made for iPhone" logo and make their choice from there.

 

[djgamble]

Right so all the el-cheapo Chinese cases that the majority of people use are gonna comply.

PS - WTF is with screen 'protectors'? So many people think that they are a necessity! IMO if your phone cops a scratch that's strong enough to scratch the screen, the protector will not help 1 bit. I dunno why people put up with having plastic all over their screens and use cheap Chinese cases, thinking this is ultimate protection...

 

[flowsy]

Dropped my iPhone 6 right out the box the first time onto a metal table foot and numerous times in the leather case from easily 1 meter height on concrete and whatnot. I stopped counting the drops because I can't help myself and seem to be an idiot in this regard. But I guess this 6 is a keeper. My iPhone 5 only survived 2 of 3 drops.

 

[Tucom]

Apple, are you going to lead by example?

Maybe, but Will Smith definitely will.

 

[WissMAN]

So is there any recourse if your phone gets damaged while in a certified case? Otherwise what's the use?

Why care as a manufacturer? I have never looked for a "certified" case just shopped by material, color, fit and feel.

 

[Glideslope]

If insistent on the Apple Case, get the Silicone, IMO. The Leather scuffs too easily. Although, some people dig the scuffed, scratched Leather look. The Silicone is almost as scratch resistant as the Tech 21 or "My Personal Choice," the Incipio DUALPRO. Nice slim design, with superb fit, and feel. (IMO.)

 

[bbplayer5]

Actually, it does make sense. Along with the 1m drop protection, Apple is also requiring at least a 1mm lip around the front of the device to protect the screen from scratches when placed face down.

Why bother curving the screen for ease of swipe then :\ Seems like a pointless screen modification if you want a lip protruding from the case.

 

[TheNorthWaves]

Once the phone cases all pass the 1-meter drop test with a "good" rating, then it's on to the small-offset drop test where we slide them across the floor at 40 MPH into a barrier where only the outer edge of the phone absorbs the force of the crash. Only then will we be safe.

 

[Thunderhawks]

How exactly would this be tested and enforced?

Two people can drop phones, with identical cases, from 3 feet and one might get cracked and the other not have a scratch.

Unless Apple does its part and make the phone change angle in midair, of course. Then it would make tests more consistent.

the iCat app does exactly that.

Flips the phone in mid air, so it lands on it's feet (1 mm frame)

They have also hired former CIA agents who know a thing or two about dropping and they will be the iCeA iPhone case Enforcement Agency.

Long day. LOL!

 

[Zelmung]

I hate iPhone cases, they are overpriced so much, a huge profit margin for all makers.

I've gone totally "naked" with my iPhone5s for 1 year now, so has my wife.

It's simple, just know where you are, and pay attention to your surroundings.

My iPhone 4 had a case for 5 months, hated it and went "naked" with that, no issues either.

The cases are meaningless if the glass happens to hit a protruding stone/corner/anything on the way down.

Who else here goes "naked", to h#ll with giving my hard earned $$ to the makers of cases.

You can buy a thin, clear case for $5-$10 from flea markets and cellular accessory stores. It's good to use one to prevent scratches on your phone's enclosure so you retain higher resale value in a few years. Also it adds friction to the smooth edges of the iPhone 6 and 6+.

 

[johnnygee]

It took a 10 foot drop to shatter the screen...

on an iPhone 6 with a leather case on this YouTube video. Regardless of the case, it all depends on how the phone impacts the ground.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWZpAr0S4Ik&spfreload=10

 

[Flight Plan]

how does apple's case comply with that wide open bottom edge? you can make a case with a lightning adapter/dock compatible opening at the bottom and not have it be wide open...

You can make a case with holes only for the Lightning port and the headphone port, but then the case will not allow you to use certain accessories such some headphones or (gasp!) Apple's own chicklet shaped 30-pin_to_lightning adapter. The "shoulders" on the adapter are too wide to fit into a case with only a hole as wide as the lightning port. I know, because I have to remove my iPhone 6 Plus from my Incipio case if I want to plug it into that chicklet.