Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple leather vs silicone durability ?
- Thread starter richxps
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I don't have the leather but from reviews, the lighter colors tend to discolor from normal use and if the leather gets wet. You can spray with a stain/water proofer or like the patina. Black would show discoloration the least.
I have the white silicone so I can speak for it. If you just put it on and leave it - it stays looking like new for a long time. The white stays clean and doesn't discolor like PTU. If you have a hard drop either leather or silicone will show damage but will protect your phone. The main problem with the silicone is that if you take it off an on a lot, the bottom corners will come apart from the inner plastic and chip or peel. The flexing of the corners to remove the case causes the problem. If you just put the case on and leave it - the peeling doesn't happen.
I've tried a ton of other cases and like the fit and overall feel of the silicone.
I have the white silicone so I can speak for it. If you just put it on and leave it - it stays looking like new for a long time. The white stays clean and doesn't discolor like PTU. If you have a hard drop either leather or silicone will show damage but will protect your phone. The main problem with the silicone is that if you take it off an on a lot, the bottom corners will come apart from the inner plastic and chip or peel. The flexing of the corners to remove the case causes the problem. If you just put the case on and leave it - the peeling doesn't happen.
I've tried a ton of other cases and like the fit and overall feel of the silicone.
My blue leather looks great after 5-6 months of use. No signs of wear or discoloration. By far the best case I've had of the 8 or 9 I've tried!
What I didnt like about silicone durability was that I saw finger marks on the case in less than a week. Not wash-off marks, but a wearing-in on certain areas. Others had breakage around the inner corners of the case. That was a turn-off.
What I didnt like about leather durability was when my black leather case would swell when exposed to moisture, only to eventually settle down and leaving a reminder mark in its place. Others had issues where a dropped phone left indelible marks or damage. That was a turn-off.
Of course I did not let that deter me. I have another black leather but this time Im going to baby it and use it under controlled circumstances. All other times, Ill be using cases that are proven to be durable in various uncontrolled situations. Basically, what life throws at you when you least suspect it while youre out and about and in the presence of a variety of surfaces and weather conditions.
What I didnt like about leather durability was when my black leather case would swell when exposed to moisture, only to eventually settle down and leaving a reminder mark in its place. Others had issues where a dropped phone left indelible marks or damage. That was a turn-off.
Of course I did not let that deter me. I have another black leather but this time Im going to baby it and use it under controlled circumstances. All other times, Ill be using cases that are proven to be durable in various uncontrolled situations. Basically, what life throws at you when you least suspect it while youre out and about and in the presence of a variety of surfaces and weather conditions.
The leather holds up longer than the silicone. The silicone surrounds a hard plastic shell, and over the course of a couple of months, the silicone is prone to peel at the bottom edges.
I had a black silicone on my 6+ for about 3 months. It peeled and I took it into Apple so they could look at it. The rep said they indeed had some issues with peeling silicone and offered to take back the case for full credit.
I have two 6+ phones and have a black leather
case on each one. I've had the cases for over a month and have not had any issues as of yet.
Of course leather is going to discolor and change texture over time. You learn this in T-Ball and little league baseball when you are 5 years old. It's the nature of leather.
----------
The peeling issue with the silicone seems to happen when inserting/removing your phone from pants pockets frequently. Over a few months, I had some moderate peeling from this and only took the case off maybe 2 or 3 times.
I had a black silicone on my 6+ for about 3 months. It peeled and I took it into Apple so they could look at it. The rep said they indeed had some issues with peeling silicone and offered to take back the case for full credit.
I have two 6+ phones and have a black leather
case on each one. I've had the cases for over a month and have not had any issues as of yet.Of course leather is going to discolor and change texture over time. You learn this in T-Ball and little league baseball when you are 5 years old. It's the nature of leather.
----------
The peeling issue with the silicone seems to happen when inserting/removing your phone from pants pockets frequently. Over a few months, I had some moderate peeling from this and only took the case off maybe 2 or 3 times.
I have the 6 in a black leather Apple brand case. I got the phone when it first released and the case at the same time.
The case still looks awesome. It will dry out just like anything leather will. I take my phone out of the case and apply just a bit of leather conditioner that I use on my cars and leather furniture to keep it in good shape. I have maybe done it twice since I have owned it. But you would probably have to look close to tell my case from a brand new one.
The case still looks awesome. It will dry out just like anything leather will. I take my phone out of the case and apply just a bit of leather conditioner that I use on my cars and leather furniture to keep it in good shape. I have maybe done it twice since I have owned it. But you would probably have to look close to tell my case from a brand new one.
Maybe the cheaper one is better?
The leather holds up longer than the silicone. The silicone surrounds a hard plastic shell, and over the course of a couple of months, the silicone is prone to peel at the bottom edges.
I had a black silicone on my 6+ for about 3 months. It peeled and I took it into Apple so they could look at it. The rep said they indeed had some issues with peeling silicone and offered to take back the case for full credit.
I have two 6+ phones and have a black leather
Of course leather is going to discolor and change texture over time. You learn this in T-Ball and little league baseball when you are 5 years old. It's the nature of leather.
----------
The peeling issue with the silicone seems to happen when inserting/removing your phone from pants pockets frequently. Over a few months, I had some moderate peeling from this and only took the case off maybe 2 or 3 times.
I noticed the peeling on one of my silicone cases after the 2nd time I flexed it to take it off the phone. I carry my phone in a purse, jacket pocket or flipbelt and I would say that I don't probably get the rub on the corners that I would if in and out of jeans pockets.
My most recent silicone case I've had on and off a few times thankfully with no issues. I have a new way of taking it off now though - I don't push on the bottom edges but instead push on the sides to release the phone. Not sure if it's coincidental but so far no problems with the bottom edges coming unbonded from the plastic - still good bond and tight.
I really can't say enough about the white silicone on white phone. The silicone doesn't discolor like TPU and I also prefer the silicone feel in hand. I've had my current silicone case on for a couple of months with no issues. Hopefully it continues to hold up as its really my favorite case. Although, if the bottom edges break down again, I'll have to consider a black leather as Apple told me they would not replace my white silicone again.
Got the midnight blue leather case. I regret it. While it looks beautiful, any drops on hard surfaces will scar the leather making it look ugly.
This is what happened to mine from maybe a 3 feet fall.
It almost look like it was cut into.
![]()
IMG_0137 by crazysur123, on Flickr
This is what happened to mine from maybe a 3 feet fall.
It almost look like it was cut into.
IMG_0137 by crazysur123, on FlickrThis. They both wear but in different ways. The leather will get scratched up, the silicone will leave fingerprints and pick up a crapload of lint. I wouldn't mind either as much, except for the fact that these cases ain't cheap.
i think protection wise is pretty good. it protected my sisters 6 plus from a shoulder height drop. it bounced a couple of times and the phone landed on its face thus cracking her glass screen protector. phone still has no scratches. maybe she was lucky.
in terms of wear and tear just a little bit nick due to the drop. discoloration wise with the midnight blue seems to be exactly the same as since i bought it day 1.
in terms of wear and tear just a little bit nick due to the drop. discoloration wise with the midnight blue seems to be exactly the same as since i bought it day 1.
I know what you are saying, but leather is a hell of a lot more durable than silicone. Baseball gloves, belts, couches, shoes...and the list goes on and on.
Scratched up does not mean it's not durable.
Agreed, but there are many grades of leather, some with distinct properties for specific uses. Apple's choice of leather is furnished exceptionally thin to suit a visual property at the expense of durability. That leads to a costly case that can become ghastly looking in short time under conditions that other cheaper cases can shrug off.