are apple silicone cases bad?

[caligurl]

I keep seeing in the various threads that people have had apple silicone cases that peel and chip and apple won't replace them claiming normal wear and tear.

are they really that bad? they seem popular with many....

I don't want to spend that kind of money on something that isn't going to last more than a couple of months!

I normally buy the apple leather case but I don't like any of those colors this year.

 

[The 12th Man]

yes. they also dig into your pinky finger if you hold it with one hand.

 

[danpass]

I didn’t have one long enough to find out because it was an absolute dust magnet, so I returned it.

 

[seezar]

They are my favorite cases and I’ve used them on the past four iPhones I’ve had. After a couple weeks there is no longer an issue with them attracting dust. They have a great grip and are available in many colors.

I’ve never had a problem with any of mine chipping. The way mine show wear is those spots will get a little shinier (mainly happens in the corners).

My daughter on the other hand has hers chipping and coming off in some spots though she admittedly picks at the spots once small pieces start to come off.

 

[Momof2.1107]

That’s one of the prime reasons why I bought my “look alike” silicon cases from AliExpress. When they start messing up I don’t worry about the cost. I stopped using the cases because they are heavy and my pinky starts hurting after awhile.

 

[Bkdodger]

It depends on your usage.. I have one on my iP 12 it's perfect grip and no lint... I also feel like the color makes a difference... Meanwhile my friends one is chipped on the corner...

 

[Ronin73]

Dust magnet and skin oil magnet. They suck.

 

[blicked]

They're awful. Once one tiny bit of them wear out, they just fall apart and get plasticky and gross. I prefer Pelacase.com - biodegradable but have a longer lifespan than any of the Apple cases.

 

[The Game 161]

Mine lasted fine for the past year…perfect them to leather

 

[trife]

Never had any issues with mine over the years, other than them being lint/dust magnets. I always grab at least one for the new phone every year.

 

[artfossil]

I'm using the Apple silicone case in Kumquat on my 12 Pro Max. It's the best case I've ever had: protective, not bulky, with superb build quality and great colors. Worth every penny. I don't know why I waited so long to try one!

 

[caligurl]

ok.... what do you all mean with the pinky hurting thing?

is it because your pinky is on the bottom of the phone/phone resting on your pinky... and something with the case cuts into your finger?

cuz I do that/hold my phone that way with the open bottom leather case and.... well after a while my poor pinky will get sore but that's not the case... that's the phone and weight of it....

****

the chipping really concerns me.... cuz it's not just the cost of replacing the case (which is already expensive)... I'd have to replace the little wallet sticker that I plan to put on it. with the leather one I put it on and both the case and Kate spade phone sticker (card holder) have been on my phone for almost 2 years now.

I don't want the apple wallet they've come out with cuz I don't like the colors

I swear this is more stressful than picking a phone color!

I blame apple for not coming out with a blue leather case!

 

[maxrest]

I love the silicone cases! I’ve tried other cases like the Apple leather case but always find myself coming back to the silicone case. I’ve had a couple silicone cases and haven’t experienced chips. I did have one peel after a couple months but apple replaced it at no cost!

 

[KittyKatta]

Some personal negatives about apple silicone case:
- Tacky. (Tends to stick. People have hard time getting out of pockets)
- Wallet unfriendly. (MagSafe tends to slide off it. Leather has more friction)
- Plastic buttons. (Leather has metal buttons)
- Poor quality. (Apple silicone tends to chip fairly quick)
- Expensive. ($50 is just so much for a silicone case)

That said, I have it for the 11 and I do like the apple silicone case because of the fit. But this year I’m considering the leather again.

 

[artfossil]

I've never understood the "hurts my pinky" but if you read the 80 million pages of the iPhone 12 case thread, you'll see that some people criticize any number of cases because of that. I have a 12 Pro Max phone and small hands and I find the case to be very comfortable to hold. But ergonomics are very personal. (As are accessories.)

As for build quality: the Apple case fits perfectly. Perfectly. And the buttons are responsive (not the case for all cases). The speakers have individual hole cutouts, not a giant cutout. Mine isn't tacky and doesn't attract lint. (How is all this "lint" generated anyway?)

Mine still looks like the day it arrived. If it ever developed a chip and it wasn't the result of a drop, I'd just contact Apple and they'd make it right.

I have a cheap silicone case for my iPhone 8 Max. It look good but there is no comparison as to the quality. None.

But, just buy one and see for yourself. If you don't like it, return it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I have never had a problem with the silicone. It offers excellent grip from day one. It typically will attract lint etc. the few first days but, after that, it is fine.

 

[Momof2.1107]

Some personal negatives about apple silicone case:
- Tacky. (Tends to stick. People have hard time getting out of pockets)
- Wallet unfriendly. (MagSafe tends to slide off it. Leather has more friction)
- Plastic buttons. (Leather has metal buttons)
- Poor quality. (Apple silicone tends to chip fairly quick)
- Expensive. ($50 is just so much for a silicone case)

That said, I have it for the 11 and I do like the apple silicone case because of the fit. But this year I’m considering the leather again.

That’s one of things I hate when using a silicon case and putting/taking out of my pocket. It’s annoying and hard to get in and out sometimes.

 

[caligurl]

Some personal negatives about apple silicone case:
- Tacky. (Tends to stick. People have hard time getting out of pockets)
- Wallet unfriendly. (MagSafe tends to slide off it. Leather has more friction)
- Plastic buttons. (Leather has metal buttons)
- Poor quality. (Apple silicone tends to chip fairly quick)
- Expensive. ($50 is just so much for a silicone case)

That said, I have it for the 11 and I do like the apple silicone case because of the fit. But this year I’m considering the leather again.

what does your case look like after 2 years?

i don’t want to use the apple wallet so i’m good there but i wonder how a kate spade sticker wallet will stick ?

 

[Yester5]

I've never had an issue with any Apple silicone case. They are great. I don't know what you people are doing to your iPhone if the cases are chipping, cracking and peeling? Even with a case, I still treat my iPhone like the fine, expensive piece of tech that it is, no abuse if I can help it

 

[WNYX]

I've never understood the "hurts my pinky" but if you read the 80 million pages of the iPhone 12 case thread, you'll see that some people criticize any number of cases because of that. I have a 12 Pro Max phone and small hands and I find the case to be very comfortable to hold. But ergonomics are very personal. (As are accessories.)

I'm one of the people that judge a case based on whether it hurts my pinky. I think it's a combination of the weight of the phone and how I'm holding it. I have small hands, use my 12 Pro Max one-handed, and I rest the phone where the lightning cable hole is on top of my extended pinky. If the case has too big of an opening and uses a harder material, it "cuts" into my pinky and turns my pinky purple. If the case is soft and the opening extends closer (or wraps around the bottom) to the charging port, my pinky is fine. The pain is similar to how the back of my ears hurt after wearing those disposable face masks with the thin straps. I hope that makes sense.

To address OP's concern: If you're interested in a silicone case, but don't want to spend the money that Apple is asking, I would highly recommend Miracase Liquid or TORRAS Liquid. They both feel similar to Apple's (including the same microfiber lining on the inside) and have more tactile buttons.

 

[Mt44]

I’ve had many and the quality just seems to get worse.

Corners peel far too quickly. There are much better cases for less money.

 

[5105973]

I’ve had Apple Silicone cases for the iPhones 7-11 crack and disintegrate. I got a purple one I used only one day that inexplicably got a sticky oily stain somehow even though I had not encountered anything oily. I believed it actually came from the case because nothing would get rid of it.

But the ones I’ve had for the iPhone mini have been wonderful. I love them. They fit well, go on easily and remove easily. The colors are nice and the silicone stickiness goes away after a week.

My daughter dropped my phone when it slid off her lap because she forgot I had asked her to hold it for me. And it landed on concrete from about 2.5 feet and the phone was fine. The case had little nicks on the corners.

 

[The Doctor11]

I've had silicon cases for years, they absolutely just fall apart and turn into just straight up plastic. Even my smart battery case which was $130 completely fell apart after a little over a year, nearly no silicon was left on it and Apple couldn't care less. They're nice while they last but they don't last long, I will never be returning to Apple silicon cases.

 

[KittyKatta]

what does your case look like after 2 years?

i don’t want to use the apple wallet so i’m good there but i wonder how a kate spade sticker wallet will stick ?

Apple Silicone in the last few years has been very prone to having chunks chip away (near bottom) and flaking (near camera). Leather used to hold up better but lately they tend to just shave off color rather than gracefully patina and age. So, overall then lately Apple case quality has dipped. (Personally, I prefer the feel of silicone but often go Leather because they use metal volume buttons.)

As for your sticker wallet, i think it will stay. Years ago I had a Velcro sticker on mine and that never came off. The problem with the Kate Spade sticker wallet is that it will obstruct the MagSafe wireless charging. I dont recommend the Apple Wallet, but I use a knockoff MagSafe wallet for when I go out purse-less and its been very convenient.

 

[caligurl]

Apple Silicone in the last few years has been very prone to having chunks chip away (near bottom) and flaking (near camera). Leather used to hold up better but lately they tend to just shave off color rather than gracefully patina and age. So, overall then lately Apple case quality has dipped. (Personally, I prefer the feel of silicone but often go Leather because they use metal volume buttons.)

As for your sticker wallet, i think it will stay. Years ago I had a Velcro sticker on mine and that never came off. The problem with the Kate Spade sticker wallet is that it will obstruct the MagSafe wireless charging. I dont recommend the Apple Wallet, but I use a knockoff MagSafe wallet for when I go out purse-less and its been very convenient.

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thank you!

I didn't really plan to use MagSafe. I can just continue to plug in my phone for now. I'm SO used to having my license and ccw on my phone I'm afraid I'll walk out without them too many times before I "relearn" that I need more than just my phone on every occasion I leave!

The MagSafe wallets just don't do it for me.... not just that I don't like any of the colors.... but I'd be worried about it somehow coming off and then losing it! Also, I have the sticker lower on the phone.... stuck almost at the very bottom, whereas that wallet sits pretty much in the middle!

I swear I'm having more trouble finding a case than I had picking out a phone color! UGH!