iPhone 12 Cases Buyer's Guide

[NightFox]

I always laugh at military grade protection. What does that mean? Which military? How did they obtain such technology? Does that mean the military doesn’t have the technology to have better protection than this small company can come up with?

Yeah, what's military grade? Some material that the military just happen to use? For what? Maybe at a push the military actually do have a spec for drop protection for mobile phones, but even then it's not going to be anything beyond what's already being widely sold on the market. If it was something like "survive a drop from 30,000ft onto concrete then be run over by a tank" and such a product existed, then it would seem unlikely that all these manufacturers were only bothering to sell cases to the public that can just about protect from a fall off a coffee table onto a wooden floor.

It's like the obsession with "aerospace grade materials". That could just mean something's made of the same stuff that the inflight catering food trays are made of.

Edit: from the Wiki article that someone else linked to on here:

Applicability to "ruggedized" consumer products[edit]
MIL-STD-810 is a flexible standard that allows users to tailor test methods to fit the application. As a result, a vendor's claims of "...compliance to MIL-STD-810..." can be misleading, because no commercial organization or agency certifies compliance, commercial vendors can create the test methods or approaches to fit their product. Suppliers can—and some do—take significant latitude with how they test their products, and how they report the test results. When queried, many[quantify] manufacturers will admit no testing has actually been done and that the product is only designed/engineered/built-to comply with the standard[citation needed]. This is because many of the tests described can be expensive to perform and usually require special facilities. Consumers who require rugged products should verify which test methods that compliance is claimed against and which parameter limits were selected for testing. Also, if some testing was actually done they would have to specify: (i) against which test methods of the standard the compliance is claimed; (ii) to which parameter limits the items were actually tested; and (iii) whether the testing was done internally or externally by an independent testing facility.[21]

It would be fun to call out some of the companies on here over that

 

[philrock]

Normally I buy spigen cases but this time I went for the slim Totallee.
I really want just something against scratches.
Bulky cases are ****.

Did you get the matte or transparent? I'd love to hear your thoughts once you get it. My 12 won't arrive until 10/30 so I have a little time...

 

[webbuzz]

Right? Sort of like “aerospace grade aluminum.” The same alloy that is used for aircraft parts is also used for beer cans - but “beverage can grade” has less of an appeal I suppose.

You would be wrong.

 

[NightFox]

What happened to Apple's bumpers from the days of the iPhone 4/4S? Those were the most effective and least aesthetic-destroying. My last 2 phones (5s and SE), I've gone without a case.

And they were free! Plus whenever mine broke, the Apple Store was always happy to just exchange it for a new one, no questions asked.

 

[philrock]

I got this Torras case, which is the same one I have for my XS. Not sure how it compares to the Totalee Thin case, but I like this one for how little bulk it adds while adding a good amount of grip.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CZS3HQB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7Y7IFbY8PTDWD

That looks nice! I really just want something to keep scratches at bay while not losing the aesthetic or significantly bulking up the size of the phone. I'd love to hear how you like it once on your phone! I have until 10/30 so I'm still shopping... Thanks

 

[SuperCachetes]

You would be wrong.

Nope, I'd be marketing, as companies will do. If I use 6061, I can claim, with a straight face, that it's "aerospace grade." I don't have to get down in the weeds on how it's tempered or otherwise treated specifically for an application to meet the standard of care for advertising.

In any case, my argument was that the marketing claims were somewhat meaningless. I'm sure the iPhone 12 frame is beautifully engineered. That doesn't mean you can fly it to space any more than "military grade" means a case will survive a rifle shot.

 

[webbuzz]

Nope, I'd be marketing, as companies will do. If I use 6061, I can claim, with a straight face, that it's "aerospace grade." I don't have to get down in the weeds on how it's tempered or otherwise treated specifically for an application to meet the standard of care for advertising.

I misread your post as you claiming aerospace grade and 3104 or 3004 was the same. Instead you were saying a company can market as such. Of course they can.

As someone that has worked in marketing and manufacturing for consumer electronics and defense contractors, marketing would never do that. The business team and legal counsel would never approve such claims.

 

[posguy99]

are the 3rd party cases compatible with magsafe, or will I need to wait for spigen to release a magsafe version of their tough armor case in order to use magsafe chargers that hold the phone in place?

Since Spigen *still* insists that their better cases have that damn window in the back, are they ever going to be compatible with Apple's MagSafe?

 

[Stromos]

So leave a link to the case, as we suggested. Obviously we can’t cover every case, but you are welcome to leave a link.

you can’t simultaneously complain that we won’t cover them when you can’t be bothered to link to the product, yourself.

Protective Cases for iPhone 12 Pro 5G

Urban Armor Gear provides the most rugged and protective cases for the iPhone 12 Pro 5G. With a wide variety of colors and styles, we have a case that will fit your needs.

www.urbanarmorgear.com

Tech Armor Ballistic Glass Screen Protector for Apple iPhone 12 (6.1

DESIGNED FOR APPLE IPHONE 12 and IPHONE 12 PRO - When it comes to protecting your new iPhone, you need our ultra thin, ultra tough, ultra clear Ballistic Glass screen protector [3-pack] in the highest grade Japanese Asahi glass. The polished 2.5D edge of the screen protector reduces chipping. It...

www.techarmor.com

 

[posguy99]

For me the Spigen Neo Hybrid is the case that I find myself going back to. The fit, profile, and protection hit the sweet spot. https://www.spigen.com/products/iphone-12-iphone-12-pro-case-neo-hybrid?variant=32590872608815

Yeah, but they only have that wacky "Gunmetal" color again with black TPU. I'm not sure what universe Spigen originates from that guns are that color.

Edit: I see on the Spigen web site (vs Amazon) that the Satin Silver one is expected in 30 days. Is the TPU that dark blue like the picture makes out? They sold the same color combination for the 11 as well.

 

[Joe 🦅🇬🇧]

‘Vegan leather’

Probably the biggest absurdity I have read in quite some time 😒

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

If you're wearing a COVID mask, don't even bother buying an iPhone. Tim Cook is living in la la land or something on this.
Everyone else has fixed this problem, but not Apple.

NO PANDEMIC COMPATIBLE iPhone and Tim Cook is loving it!

 

[SuperCachetes]

Tim Cook is loving it!

What exactly is your source of information on this, the "It's happening!" GIF?

 

[Stromos]

If you're wearing a COVID mask, don't even bother buying an iPhone. Tim Cook is living in la la land or something on this.
Everyone else has fixed this problem, but not Apple.

NO PANDEMIC COMPATIBLE iPhone and Tim Cook is loving it!

You do realize these phones were likely design complete before the pandemic right? They have Gen one new TouchID tech coming in the iPad this year if it’s a hit they will likely eventually get it into the iPhone line.

Also they did do something they made FaceID able to detect masks and take you straight to the pin entry.

 

[Zaft]

Casekoo makes really nice thin cases with a raised edge on front and back.

CASEKOO Slim Fit Compatible with iPhone 12 Pro Max Case, Ultra Thin Hard Plastic Protective Phone Case Cover with Matte Finish Coating Cases for iPhone 12 Pro Max 5G (6.7 inch), Pacific Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GC2BG23/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oqgJFbEC23KQV

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

You do realize these phones were likely design complete before the pandemic right? They have Gen one new TouchID tech coming in the iPad this year if it’s a hit they will likely eventually get it into the iPhone line.

Also they did do something they made FaceID able to detect masks and take you straight to the pin entry.

Yeah, Apple is the LAST to the game in current TOUCH ID under the screen or in the power button. They dropped the ball by being stubborn and snobby and it will cost them in sales as people in stores will realize that they cannot even unlock these phones observing proper protocols to even walk in the store! HAHA! They really screwed up no matter what you all think.

I mean, I love the specs overall on all of these iPhone 12s, but they are simply unusable in my state. I know they didn't have a lot of time to adapt to the pandemic, but it's as if they are tone deaf and didn't even try.

 

[katbel]

Someone took real life photos of it here:

Canada iPhone 12/12 Pro/12 Pro Max (2020) Pre Orders

Got another one of my Amazon ordered cases today! Was a bit thrown off by the “12 Max” on sticker, but same size as my clear Pro case I bought last week.

forums.macrumors.com

Thanks for the link, but have you personally seen it? I’m worried about the front protection. There is no front photo , I really would like to see it, if it has a raised front edge.

 

[Stromos]

Yeah, Apple is the LAST to the game in current TOUCH ID under the screen or in the power button. They dropped the ball by being stubborn and snobby and it will cost them in sales as people in stores will realize that they cannot even unlock these phones observing proper protocols to even walk in the store! HAHA! They really screwed up no matter what you all think.

I mean, I love the specs overall on all of these iPhone 12s, but they are simply unusable in my state. I know they didn't have a lot of time to adapt to the pandemic, but it's as if they are tone deaf and didn't even try.

With a mask on you look at the phone and are prompted for a pin right away. Don’t need to take a mask off or anything. I agree they are slow but the phone is to no stretch unusable with a mask on I do it every day.

 

[Roller]

Yeah, Apple is the LAST to the game in current TOUCH ID under the screen or in the power button. They dropped the ball by being stubborn and snobby and it will cost them in sales as people in stores will realize that they cannot even unlock these phones observing proper protocols to even walk in the store! HAHA! They really screwed up no matter what you all think.

I mean, I love the specs overall on all of these iPhone 12s, but they are simply unusable in my state. I know they didn't have a lot of time to adapt to the pandemic, but it's as if they are tone deaf and didn't even try.

Unusable? Really? You mean it's too much effort to enter a passcode? Mine has 11 digits and it takes me just 4 seconds.

 

[ghanwani]

And they were free! Plus whenever mine broke, the Apple Store was always happy to just exchange it for a new one, no questions asked.

I think the free offer was because of antennagate. When I went to replace mine after about a year, they had changed the design (manufacturing defect?) and it no longer worked properly. The fit was too tight and it would cause the power button to be pressed even at rest draining the battery. I ended up returning that one and that’s when I started carrying the phone without a bumper.

 

[cesko]

For my SE 2020 went with ESR’s clear Air Armor and their charger too from Amazon. Will be doing the same for the 12 mini and then opt for the as-of-yet unreleased MagSafe pop-up grip.

HaloLock: MagSafe-Compatible iPhone 12 Magnetic Cases & Wireless Chargers | ESR - ESR

HaloLock iPhone 12 wireless chargers lock onto your iPhone 12's MagSafe magnets, keeping it perfectly centered for faster and easier charging. Shop HaloLock accessories plus other high-quality iPhone 12 cases, screen protectors, and camera protectors only at ESR.

www.esrgear.com

 

[Grohowiak]

Did you get the matte or transparent? I'd love to hear your thoughts once you get it. My 12 won't arrive until 10/30 so I have a little time...

Transparent. I’ll post a pic here with the phone once both arrive.

 

[speg]

Has anyone read confirmation about the Apple silicon cases and a front lip? Is there one? Would hate for it to be flush and not protect the screen when placed face down.

 

[Neeldenn]

I’ve ordered both, the Spigen ThinFit and Ultra Hybrid with the black frame. Gonna keep whichever fits better, though I’d like to show the gorgeous blue color with the ultra hybrid case. Just depends on, if the case puts on too much of a bulk around the frame.

 

[ShawnyRHarvey]

Thanks for the link, but have you personally seen it? I’m worried about the front protection. There is no front photo , I really would like to see it, if it has a raised front edge.

I’ll give you a front photo in 5 minutes ?