Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone 16 Pro case with no cutout or touch capacity
- Thread starter whirlpoolbread
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I’ve just ordered the Spigen Ultra Hybrid T case, so I’ll be able to compare it with the current Spigen case I have that features a cutout. I’m curious to see if the Ultra Hybrid T offers a better overall experience.
As for the camera control being touch feature, I can't help but feel it might end up like the MacBook Touch Bar—an interesting idea, but something that doesn’t gain widespread adoption and eventually gets phased out.
As for the camera control being touch feature, I can't help but feel it might end up like the MacBook Touch Bar—an interesting idea, but something that doesn’t gain widespread adoption and eventually gets phased out.
I really rate mine...
I've had my 16PM in the UAG Monarch case and the Spigen Armor case too, but keep going back to the T case
I finally received the Spigen Ultra Hybrid T case. It's okay overall, but I have some mixed feelings. One thing I do like is that there's no large notch for the camera button—it’s flush with the case, which prevents my finger from getting drawn to it However, after using it for a while, I’m convinced that I won’t use the capacitive function of the button; it just doesn't work well for me and I can't see myself using the button for more then a button. Another downside is the plastic feel of the Hybrid T, which I don't like. I prefer the rubbery texture of the Spigen Liquid Air case. I've decided to return the Hybrid T and wait for a better case option.
I sure hope it remains. I actually do use it, at the very least to launch the camera quickly and shoot quickly. I don’t necessarily adjust the settings though like apple was hoping more people would do. I’ve said this in another thread, but for those who don’t want to use it, they don’t have to. Nothing was taken away from the phone with the addition of this button. You can still use the camera like you did before the button existed. The Touch Bar on the mbp, on the other hand, ironically lost a whole row of physical buttons in lieu of a touch screen! I think what these two features do have in common is they both brought out complainers who hate change. You can’t make everyone happy with the Touch Bar, but you can with this camera control button. It’s totally up to you whether you want to use it or not.
The user doesn't lose anything by the button being there, but producing and supporting it does cost Apple money. Apple's Force Touch was loved by power users but largely unused by the general public, which is why Apple eventually discontinued it. While I'm not suggesting that they will or should, I wouldn't be surprised if, in five years, Apple decides it's no longer worth the investment and replaces it with a more cost-effective, less-capable option.
Or maybe cases will just get better
.I tried the Apple Silicone case but i didn’t like how rubbery and sticky it felt. I also didn’t like that it collected lint so much.
I tried the clear case but it has terrible buttons.
I even tried the Beats case but it just feels cheap.
Tried the Nomad Modern Leather Case but I didn’t like the cutout. It felt too hard to press.
I even tried my tried and true Caudabe Sheath, but the cutout felt too hard to press.
Currently on a Pitaka Tactile Woven and it feels great so far. I’m hoping Ryan London, Bullstrap or Andar implement a button soon because my preferred is a leather case.
I tried the clear case but it has terrible buttons.
I even tried the Beats case but it just feels cheap.
Tried the Nomad Modern Leather Case but I didn’t like the cutout. It felt too hard to press.
I even tried my tried and true Caudabe Sheath, but the cutout felt too hard to press.
Currently on a Pitaka Tactile Woven and it feels great so far. I’m hoping Ryan London, Bullstrap or Andar implement a button soon because my preferred is a leather case.
Don't even get me started on Force Touch! It's probably the feature I miss the most on iphone and apple watch. I think haptic touch is just too easy to activate, and I find myself in customizing focus mode or home screen jiggle way too often throughout the day.The user doesn't lose anything by the button being there, but producing and supporting it does cost Apple money. Apple's Force Touch was loved by power users but largely unused by the general public, which is why Apple eventually discontinued it. While I'm not suggesting that they will or should, I wouldn't be surprised if, in five years, Apple decides it's no longer worth the investment and replaces it with a more cost-effective, less-capable option.
Or maybe cases will just get better
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple removed it either. They do whatever they want to make more money, like sell the Apple sport band with both M/L and S/M straps for years then all of a sudden sell the sport band as separate sizes yet still charge the same price for it! Why isn't there more uproar about this?
I'd be sad if they did remove the button though because I actually do like it and use it often. I agree with many of the macrumors / youtube complainers that being able to change the settings from the button is slightly gimmicky and fiddly...at first! But I'm getting used to it. I definitely won't be changing picture styles with it though. This was apple's mistake because that's all people focus on! I just hope apple doesn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Having a very easy and foolproof way to instantly open your camera while pulling it out of your pocket (i.e. not looking at the screen to tap and hold a screen button somewhere on the corner of the screen) and shoot is incredibly useful on everyone's most used camera.
Last edited:
I'm currently using the Spigen Ultra Hybrid T. The capacitive button works fine for me similar to my beats case. As far as using capacitive button in general for changing settings? I think it's useful for changing the default setting. Mine is set to aperture. If I accidentally move it, it doesn't affect the final image because I can change it later. I also like to make sure depth info is captured. But once you start the dance of double soft press, slide to another setting mode, slide again to make your change. You're probably better off using the screen in the first place.
My biggest gripe with the Spigen is that the capacitive button cases are only available in clear, and I'm not really a clear phone case guy. I do like that it has a lanyard hole that my beats doesn't have.
Spigen also has the Tough Armor T which is opaque and has a capacitive button. It’s a much beefier case though…
Thanks for the heads up! I never noticed it before! The divot on the side sort of makes it look like a cutout. I’d imagine it probably has the same feeling as using a cutout case too. Hopefully Spigen or any other company will make other opaque less bulky cases with capacitive touch.
I have the Tough Armor T. The button actually works really well and doesn’t feel anything like the cutouts on bulky cases, which among the handful I tried were barely functional.
Has anyone heard if Caudabe plans to implement a camera button?
Apart from Apple's silicone covers, I thought this year's case selection (so far) is a fad. The cutouts make the phone uncomfortable to hold, the camera button becomes difficult to operate. It surprises me that almost no one has chosen to build in that camera button, apart from Spigen, on a single cover.
Apart from Apple's silicone covers, I thought this year's case selection (so far) is a fad. The cutouts make the phone uncomfortable to hold, the camera button becomes difficult to operate. It surprises me that almost no one has chosen to build in that camera button, apart from Spigen, on a single cover.
Caudabe customer service told me “no”.
AFAIK, this is the current list of cases with camera control covers:
Apple Silicone
Apple Clear
Beats
Bandwerk Metal (coming)
Otterbox Lumen
Otterbox Symmetry Clear (coming)
Otterbox Defender Pro (coming)
Phone Rebel Gen 6 Aramid (coming)
Spigen Ultra Hybrid T
Spigen Tough Armor T
Supcase UB Mag
Supcase UB Grip
I’m sure others are in the works, but the above are verified.
Too bad that is such a perfect cover, suddenly becomes so imperfect (Caudabe)
Thanks for the list by the way.
Thanks for the list. I never heard of Bandwerk Metal. In addition to their high price tag, the upcoming case does not support Magsafe. I guess I still need to wait.
I recently ordered this (arriving today) from Amazon: Miracase Magnetic for iPhone 16 Pro Case Full-Body Phone with Built-in Glass Screen Protector, [Compatible with MagSafe] Military Drop Proof 16 Pro Cover Bumper 6.3 inch, Black
I won't use this as an everyday case because I am sure it is way too bulky, but it will be my beach case or fieldwork case. It has a flap that covers the camera button rather than a cutout
I won't use this as an everyday case because I am sure it is way too bulky, but it will be my beach case or fieldwork case. It has a flap that covers the camera button rather than a cutout
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Always want with the Apple leather cases, then with the fine woven. Do not like the silicone or the clear case. Wanted to buy a new iPhone this year but am put off by the case situation. No case no new Phone.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJKX18Y3?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title really enjoying this one for the price and has a great camera control button.
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I tried this one, and the back was a grease & finger print nightmare.
Went right back to the Spigen UH T in frost black
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I don’t seem to have that problem but glad you found something you like. I got the spigen tough armor coming today
So far, I’m enjoying the tough armor. It feels really nice. I like that the buttons are flush, so if you were to drop the phone, you don’t have to worry about the buttons breaking . The kickstand is pretty basic, and the camera control button is just as good as the other Spigen cases, of course. Like others have said the lip could be higher
I have the same feelings about that case. I returned it too for almost the same reasons. It felt really plasticky to me and I also don't use the camera button much.