iPhone 12 mini Caseless 12 Mini

[Jacobi]

I also have a white Mini, and am dealing with the same question! I don't really want a case and never typically use a case or a screen protector on my iPhones. The only reason I've been considering a case is because of the protruding camera on the back: the phone does not lay flat on surfaces like a table or my nightstand and wobbles awkwardly on the camera.

To stay as minimal as possible, I bought the black Apple silicone case for it. It does resolve the wobbles but makes the phone noticeably less awesome looking -- it becomes like any other phone. I had the 1st gen SE before this and was really used to the flush back. I'm so bummed they made the cameras this huge and would gladly sacrifice a little thinness or image quality to go back to no bump.

Anyways, after actually trying a case for the last few days, I am considering going back to case-free. The phone loses a lot of its aesthetic appeal, which is a big part of why I buy iPhones in the first place!

 

[ubinko]

I use the apple leather case only. It extends slightly beyond the screen, so if you drop it most likely the screen will not get damaged so no need for a silly screen protector

 

[Phone Junky]

I use the apple leather case only. It extends slightly beyond the screen, so if you drop it most likely the screen will not get damaged so no need for a silly screen protector

Unless silly scratches on your screen bother you. 🙂

 

[ubinko]

Unless silly scratches on your screen bother you. 🙂

Nah.. I'm pretty careful with phones.. so never seem to get many scratches.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Unless silly scratches on your screen bother you.

Indeed, I was quite shocked how easily the screen scratches on my 12. I had a Spigen screen protector on which had a cut out for the notch and I noticed a light scratch across that area when I was replacing it for the ESR full screen version. The phone has always been well looked after and I’m usually quite rough with them. It obviously doesn’t take much but then a lot of people don’t care. I can’t see the point in not having a screen protector considering they are practically invisible and don’t feel any different to a bare screen anyway.

 

[Abstract]

If my Bellroy 3-card iPhone case didn’t double as a wallet replacement, I’d just go case-free. This is especially true of the Mini, which you can hold so much more securely in your hand.

However, I do have the Bellroy case, it does act as my wallet, and going without a case would mean a return to carrying a wallet, iPhone, and keys. No thanks. 🤯

 

[JW313]

If my Bellroy 3-card iPhone case didn’t double as a wallet replacement, I’d just go case-free. This is especially true of the Mini, which you can hold so much more securely in your hand.

However, I do have the Bellroy case, it does act as my wallet, and going without a case would mean a return to carrying a wallet, iPhone, and keys. No thanks. 🤯

You my friend are in luck... I present to you: the Apple MagSafe Wallet! Woo!

 

[yticolev]

I just can't do it, more power to those of you who can. It's just too small for me, and I've got fumbleitis. I've lost the handle on it three times (onto carpet/rug thanks goodness) in a week already while waiting for my case to be delivered.

I've dropped every iPhone I've owned, a couple of times from a moving bicycle (from handlebar bag pocket) - the 4 with bumper bounces impressively on asphalt! The Mini I've already dropped twice, both times just two feet from armchair arm to wood floor with case on. Yes, I've seen the caseless drop tests. I'm using a case! But a frameless one to maintain caseless width for optimal one handed use.

 

[Phone Junky]

I'm using a case! But a frameless one to maintain caseless width for optimal one handed use.

Which one?

 

[okieoutwest]

I prefer the aesthetic of being caseless so I always go with one that basically disappears. This has led me down the path with skins and ultra thin cases for years and for the 12 mini I've settled on one of these $8 TOZO cases. Skins look bad (I'm not the best at applying them) and the edges eventually peel up or start to get lint and dirt stuck to them.

The case is ultra thin. It protects the back and side from small abrasions without adding really anything to the phone. And if I tear it getting it on or off I just have a backup around since it was half the price of similar ones. The white case on the mint phone looks great, no significant color change, adding a nice frosty effect.

 

[jm31828]

I also have a white Mini, and am dealing with the same question! I don't really want a case and never typically use a case or a screen protector on my iPhones. The only reason I've been considering a case is because of the protruding camera on the back: the phone does not lay flat on surfaces like a table or my nightstand and wobbles awkwardly on the camera.

To stay as minimal as possible, I bought the black Apple silicone case for it. It does resolve the wobbles but makes the phone noticeably less awesome looking -- it becomes like any other phone. I had the 1st gen SE before this and was really used to the flush back. I'm so bummed they made the cameras this huge and would gladly sacrifice a little thinness or image quality to go back to no bump.

Anyways, after actually trying a case for the last few days, I am considering going back to case-free. The phone loses a lot of its aesthetic appeal, which is a big part of why I buy iPhones in the first place!

I did just add a black leather case to mine, and I was just thinking what you stated last night- sure the case is great (returned my Apple leather case and got an ESR leather case- nearly identical, really pleased with it for about 1/3rd the price, by the way)- but I was also thinking about how it looks like any other phone now. When it was caseless I found myself admiring the amazing look/feel before. Considering how easy it is to grip, I suspect I will remove the case and only use it on certain occasions where it may seem necessary. (since as noted in another post, I do have a pouch I carry it in when I go out, so it does not get scratched in my jacket pocket, or if it gets dropped it will be protected).

 

[lordhamster]

interestingly when i handle my mini without a case it feels a little too light and almost insignificant.

 

[yticolev]

Which one?

I'm really holding out for a Rebel frameless case (likely $30), but that won't be available until February at the earliest. Last year's model (not available for the Mini) survived 50 foot drop tests (at least in the videos they posted online).

I ordered this generic case from Amazon, $13, and also ordered it direct from China 2 for $4 (will return the Amazon one). I like it OK, sufficient protection. I also got the SwitchEasy case (it doesn't, and also returning) from Amazon for an outrageous $20 - simply a hard thermoplastic shell. A slight downside of both is the back plate does extend slightly, adding to the effective width. The generic Chinese one is better, extending a mere 0.25 mm on each side. The SwitchEasy adds almost 2.8 mm in total. Both aid in retention I suppose making it harder to drop, but doesn't feel premium for sure.

I also modified another full protection case to remove the sides, and while it is significantly more protective, it is uglier than I hoped for. Difficult to make modified cases work as well or as pretty as OEM ones!

None of these cases really limit your thumb movement so in that regard, they really preserve the ergonomics of Mini width.

 

[jm31828]

For those who do want a leather case for their Mini, I highly recommend the ESR Metro leather case- it really is nearly identical to the Apple leather case minus the Apple logo (and Magsafe), but the leather has a bit more texture to it than the Apple one does. It is really a nice case, and can be found on Amazon for nearly 1/3rd of the price of the Apple case.

I have it on my phone now, it is even easier to grip and hold securely with this case, and yet it is super thin adding almost no bulk- but I am torn because this phone still looks far better with no case at all.

 

[BlackHawk00]

For those who do want a leather case for their Mini, I highly recommend the ESR Metro leather case- it really is nearly identical to the Apple leather case minus the Apple logo (and Magsafe), but the leather has a bit more texture to it than the Apple one does. It is really a nice case, and can be found on Amazon for nearly 1/3rd of the price of the Apple case.

I have it on my phone now, it is even easier to grip and hold securely with this case, and yet it is super thin adding almost no bulk- but I am torn because this phone still looks far better with no case at all.

It’s good to hear. Do you mind sharing some photos of your mini with that case?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Abstract]

You my friend are in luck... I present to you: the Apple MagSafe Wallet! Woo!

I LOL’ed. 😂

Don’t those things rip off when you try taking them out of pant pockets?

 

[jm31828]

It’s good to hear. Do you mind sharing some photos of your mini with that case?

Thank you in advance.

Sure, no problem. Apologies these are not the best shots- color cast is rather bad due to the lighting, but the case is a very dark black- true black, vs the more charcoal black that you see in the Apple leather case.

The leather feels maybe just a bit thinner than the Apple case, but still does not feel "cheap" at all- it truly looks and feels like a nice quality case. Inside is lined with microfiber just as the Apple cases are.

 

[wpalomine]

Screen protector + MagSafe Wallet. I prefer holding the phone with the wallet on than off.

 

[JW313]

I LOL’ed. 😂

Don’t those things rip off when you try taking them out of pant pockets?

Check out this video:

 

[iZac]

Been naked for years.

Sure, people look at me funny, saying it's not safe and that one day I'll scrape it along a concrete pavement but I'm still confidently swinging free.

I think the bumps and grazes give it character.

 

[jm31828]

Does the silver aluminum around the white 12 and 12 mini have costing that can scratch or wear off, or is that the actual color of it?

Just wondering if wear will show on the aluminum if going naked on this color.

 

[rulymammoth]

If the glass on the back is as soft as the glass on the front, I wouldn’t advise going caseless to be honest.

Check out the Caudabe Sheath, it’s a super thin case and their Veil version is even thinner again.

I’m “experimenting” with the mini right now and I love the Sheath even more on the mini than on my Pro. With something so thin and protective, it’s a no brainer to have it. Every time I’ve gone caseless, I’ve always regretted it sooner or later.

 

[dannyyankou]

Go for it. The build quality of these phones is amazing.

 

[BlackHawk00]

Sure, no problem. Apologies these are not the best shots- color cast is rather bad due to the lighting, but the case is a very dark black- true black, vs the more charcoal black that you see in the Apple leather case.

The leather feels maybe just a bit thinner than the Apple case, but still does not feel "cheap" at all- it truly looks and feels like a nice quality case. Inside is lined with microfiber just as the Apple cases are.

Thanks mate, the mini is looking good in that leather case. I’m thinking of getting a mini alongside my 12 PM. So I was tossing between Apple leather case or Nomad, but ESR leather case seems to be a good option at just a fraction of the price.

 

[JW313]

Does the silver aluminum around the white 12 and 12 mini have costing that can scratch or wear off, or is that the actual color of it?

Just wondering if wear will show on the aluminum if going naked on this color.

I have the white Mini and a nick in the aluminum band already. Not obvious at all because the metal underneath is at least close enough to the same color that you cant tell. Imagine a having a nick in the black model? Get out your Sharpie.