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Hands-On With the Leather Sleeve for iPhone 12 Models
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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
I love that the color of the time matches the color of the sleeve.
That's absolutely magical!
BTW, how do I post a comment without quoting the entire article?
Edit: Nevermind, I figured it out.
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All this highlights to me is that we should have always on time/date on our iPhones. WTF Apple., really.....have you been waiting on making this feature available so you can make money from this sleeve?
If you have Apple Watch and AirPods, this might not be the worse accessory. I wouldn't buy it for Half that price, but I could see the allure.
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I think this is a great choice for people trying to cut back on screen time. Could help the impulse to check your phone. Similar to people who put their phones in drawers. The self awareness of phone addiction seems to be on the uptick.
This accessory does seem like it would be a small purse or clutch replacement since one's phone would be one of the main things to go inside that purse/clutch along with an ID and credit card. I wonder if this will be popular with women.
Apple is on a roll here with half baked products..
sorry to say but Steve Jobs would have never allowed this to happen.
sorry to say but Steve Jobs would have never allowed this to happen.
I just re watched the video and @2’52 he says that you cannot answer the phone call while the phone is inside the sleeve
I suspect as a clutch it will be. I can hear the 3rd party vendors gearing up to make shoulder straps for these. Not to mention all the knock offs.
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Sounds like you’re saying it’s expensive. I think most would agree!
But some think that means Apple shouldn’t make it at all.
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I have had the sleeve since Friday afternoon. I don’t care what Dan said. He is wrong. You can answer the phone while it is in the sleeve. That is a fact. I have answered the phone numerous times while in the sleeve.
Is there a double tour version? jk but seriously this is a waste. I felt bad throwing away my iPad Air 2 leather case -which was still in great condition, but pretty worthless after trading in the iPad for the new Air. Also had to toss my iPhone X case. I’d like to think that I tend to wait a bit longer than most geeks to refresh products, but the truth is all these accessories just add up to junk in a short matter of time. Guilty for contributing to something I really am conscious of.
jk but seriously this is a waste. I felt bad throwing away my iPad Air 2 leather case -which was still in great condition, but pretty worthless after trading in the iPad for the new Air. Also had to toss my iPhone X case. I’d like to think that I tend to wait a bit longer than most geeks to refresh products, but the truth is all these accessories just add up to junk in a short matter of time. Guilty for contributing to something I really am conscious of.
Dangle that thing off your backpack and kiss it, your credit cards, ID... bye bye
I have a sleeve for my 10S+ that is made by another manufacturer. I like it a lot as it protects the phone and it really isn't a pain to take it out if I need to use it/answer a call as my phone only goes in it when I go out. I don't see the point of the cut out on this sleeve though as it could allow the screen to get damaged and I have an apple watch if I want to know the time.
And the Watch solves the problem of triaging notifications.
I don't think this product is for me either, but it definitely feels like it fits people who usually have their phones tucked away and don't want or need to dig it out constantly.
Oh man, this sleeve could have been something. Can you at least press the power button to turn off the ringing if someone calls you do not want to accept because of the handy dandy matching incoming call indicator?
It seems like you do get it 🙂
Imagine a tent with you and everyone else who thinks it’s clunky and ugly inside. Apple’s target market is everyone outside that tent—who also wants a leather sleeve with a wrist strap, in those colors, for $129.