Hands-On With the Leather Sleeve for iPhone 12 Models

[MacRumors]

Apple this year came out with a handful of accessories for the new iPhone 12 models, and in addition to the standard Silicone and Leather cases, there's also a new Leather Sleeve that recently went on sale.

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We picked up one of the Leather Sleeves to check it out to see if it's worth the $129 that Apple is charging. The Leather Sleeve is available for the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, and 12 mini, with all of the Sleeves priced the same.

Design wise, it's not a traditional case and covers the front and back of the iPhone with the exception of a small cutout at the front. It comes in Baltic Blue, Pink Citrus, Saddle Brown, and (PRODUCT)RED, with the high price point due to the material that it's made of. Apple says it's crafted from a "specially tanned and finished European leather" that "feels soft to the touch," and that's true. The iPhone 12 mini version we have feels nice in the hand.

A lanyard attaches to the bottom of the Leather Sleeve, and that lanyard can be used to connect the sleeve to a bag or a purse, or it can be worn over the wrist as a simple iPhone holder. When held or attached to a bag, the Leather Sleeve is upside down so there's little risk of the iPhone slipping out accidentally.

The iPhone fits tightly into the Leather Sleeve to keep it secure for the most part. There are also several card slots inside, which is handy, because you can keep credit cards and ID there. The card slots are snug too and feel like they'll keep cards in place without slippage. You can fit two to three cards inside, similar to the MagSafe Leather Wallet Apple also sells.

There's a cutout at the front of the Leather Sleeve that's designed to show the time. The time on the iPhone's screen displays thanks to the MagSafe connection between the Leather Sleeve and the iPhone, allowing for a special display. The color of the time is designed to match the color of the Leather Sleeve, which is a unique feature.

Other than the time, that little display cutout will show incoming phone calls, which is handy, but you can't answer a call while the iPhone is in the Leather Sleeve. It has to be taken out. The window does not display any other incoming notifications, even for Apple apps like Messages, which makes it of limited utility.

There are a few other animations when attaching MagSafe accessories like chargers to the back of the Leather Sleeve, but that's about it. Speaking of MagSafe, the iPhone can be charged with a MagSafe charger while in the Leather Sleeve, just like it can in a standard case.

The Leather Sleeve is a design choice that's going to be more polarizing than Apple's traditional cases just because of the limited functionality and the need to take the iPhone in and out of the sleeve prior to using it. It's not an accessory that many of us here at MacRumors would pick up, but for those who like the appeal of a simple carrying case that also includes wallet functionality, it's potentially worth checking out.

Article Link: Hands-On With the Leather Sleeve for iPhone 12 Models

 

[MN7119]

It is an iPhone diaper.

 

[Seanm87]

This reminds me of the sleeves BlackBerry used to do

 

[426kahemi]

So why this upper cutout for speaker?? if you cannot answer phonecall...

 

[rcooked]

AirPods Pro solve the issue of calls, etc...

 

[BreakingKayfabe]

So why this upper cutout for speaker?? if you cannot answer phonecall...

It also works as an audio speaker so if you’re controlling audio from your Apple Watch it’s better to not have that small speaker covered.

 

[btrach144]

So why this upper cutout for speaker?? if you cannot answer phonecall...

Probably for the light sensor to determine how bright the time display needs to be.

 

[DotCom2]

I would actually get one of these but at that price...NO!

 

[dotnet]

The sleeve is kind of attractive in several ways, but how on earth is it more expensive than a Homepod mini??

 

[BF1M]

Move over Apple TV remote, we have a new winner for the title of “Worst Designed Apple Product”

 

[Precursor]

This is the most expensive Apple product to date for its use
Because it is useless
Have to take the phone out to decline or mute an incoming call? Smh

 

[swingerofbirch]

I prefer iPod Socks.

 

[oneteam]

So you have to remove the sleeve to answer a phone call?

 

[progressivebpm]

This is the most expensive Apple product to date for its use
Because it is useless
Have to take the phone out to decline or mute an incoming call? Smh

Exactly. I get that it's a sleeve and the main thing is probably protection here, but I just don't (overall) get it nor am I going to remotely pay the $129 price tag. I'll stick with my Nomad Black Folio for my iPhone 12 Pro which has front and back protection and a place for me to store my CC's and DL as well as some cash; so it serves as a phone "sleeve" for me and protection, and completely alleviates the need for me to have a wallet; ain't trying to be George Costanza and mess up my back, brah.

It also (of course) works with their Nomad Base Station from a wireless charging standpoint. While I did request that Nomad work on a MagSafe compatible folio, I'm happy with it and it just works for me right now, and the best thing about the Nomad Folio, it gets better with use/age.

 

[lyngo]

It is an iPhone diaper.

Listen... it’s a leather diaper. Come on! 🤣

 

[contacos]

How little do you have to use your phone to find this useful? I’d be constantly taking it in and out and sooner or later it would fly across the room

 

[acousticbiker]

Is the time always on when in the case? How does this affect battery life (and any risk of burn in)?

And does it show incoming calls in a different/miniaturized way vs the standard incoming call screen to be able to fit helpful info into that window?

 

[Digital Dude]

So why this upper cutout for speaker?? if you cannot answer phonecall...

It's the thought that counts; plus it helps convince others' that you have money to burn.

 

[trife]

$129? For...this?? How?

 

[Spock]

I’m sure someone will find this useful, I’m not one of those people. I find this to be overpriced even for Apple, I would rather they bring back the leather folio.

 

[mcfrazieriv]

Product Manager: *Solves for a problem that doesn't exist*
Designer: *OK!*
Customer: *Why???????*

 

[7thson]

So you have to remove the sleeve to answer a phone call?

Yes. According to this review. However, this could change pending a software update. I’ve been corrected by @Apple_Robert My correction has corrected.

Seeing this product in review, I’m speculative on the market for this. I have seen iPhones being worn as a small purse or handbag, but only by non-USA tourists. As an American, I suspect when I see one in the wild it will be on the person of a tourist.
I personally don’t think much of it. Aside from the impracticality of it for my needs, I find the flat stitched sides kind of crude. Why not square off the sides like a case and add access to the buttons? You shouldn’t have to pull the phone out to silence a call. As a high end alternative to a dedicated case/folio and $129? Yep, it’s got the Apple logo on it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Edited to add: removed due to incorrect information.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Yes. According to this review.

The review is wrong.

 

[Apple_Robert]

So you have to remove the sleeve to answer a phone call?

No, you do not need to remove the phone from the sleeve. All you need to do is tap the display window to answer the call.