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Nice line up!

I’m going to try the Beats rugged again. Seemed slippery when I was handling it even though it has dot grips.

I have to agree there’s nothing like the Apple silicone when it comes to form factor, perfectly molds to the form of the iPhone. IMO the AS is the benchmark for how to design an iPhone case. The Sheath would be the closest BUT it weighs too much.
Have you tried the Techwoven? Has the form factor that I expect you will like but without the horrible silicone feel. It’s a far far better case IMO
 
I feel like the Beats rugged got less slippery over time just by wearing it in? I’d say give it a try. It adds bulk but it keeps the form factor with the smooth rounded edges. The buttons are the best out of all the cases I’ve tried. Tactile and super clicky, almost like the original. And the little groove where the CC button sits is awesome for orientation.

Yeah, the sili is like a second skin for the phone. If only the buttons were less “squishy” and there was more screen protection. I also don’t like how it feels when it warms up in the hand. And mine has already chipped and is slightly misaligned on the bottom (like yours). The beats regular feels a bit like the Silicone when it comes to form factor, just more slippery 😂
Wish they would cut down one weight of the Sheath. The weight of the Sheath didn’t bother me when I had the 15 Pro.
 
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Have you tried the Techwoven? Has the form factor that I expect you will like but without the horrible silicone feel. It’s a far far better case IMO
The silicone feel doesn’t bother me. I haven’t tried the Techwoven. I prefer a case that has same all around texture. From my experience when a case doesn’t have the same all around texture the transition isn’t smooth and doesn’t feel “like a second skin” like the AS.
 
The silicone feel doesn’t bother me. I haven’t tried the Techwoven. I prefer a case that has same all around texture. From my experience when a case doesn’t have the same all around texture the transition isn’t smooth and doesn’t feel “like a second skin” like the AS.
You are insulting the GOAT case by calling it an AS.

Apple Silicone is the correct way of saying it.

Respect the GOAT.
 
Okay first impression of the Phone Rebel Air.

IMG_0007.jpeg


It’s heavier and sturdier than I expected from a case with that name 😂 No MagSafe bump, everything is smooth. I do not like the integrated buttons with slits, they are rather hard to press right now. Especially the action button. That one has no click at all. I heard it gets better over time as it wears in though? Apart from that, it’s nice to hold. Sorta slippery on the back with textured sides. Phone snaps in nicely, but is also easy to remove. No screen lip except for the corners. And the gap around the camera plateau is rather wide and might collect detritus. CC button is easily pressed and works. Cutouts at the bottom are well aligned. Guess we’ll see how it fares in real life. It feels protective.

Edit: It might cause problems with screen protectors that reach further towards the edge of the screen than my Spigen EzFit, because it closes around the edge of the phone and there is not much space left in my case.
 
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Have you tried the Techwoven? Has the form factor that I expect you will like but without the horrible silicone feel. It’s a far far better case IMO
Techwoven is so so good. I personally think it feels and looks much better than the sheath.

Edit: realized I replied to the wrong post but yeah I think it’s much better than the sheath
 
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Okay first impression of the Phone Rebel Air.

View attachment 2576679

It’s heavier and sturdier than I expected from a case with that name 😂 No MagSafe bump, everything is smooth. I do not like the flow through buttons with slits, they are rather hard to press right now. Especially the action button. That one has no click at all. I heard it gets better over time as it wears in though? Apart from that, it’s nice to hold. Sorta slippery on the back with textured sides. Phone snaps in nicely, but is also easy to remove. No screen lip except for the corners. And the gap around the camera plateau is rather wide and might collect detritus. CC button is easily pressed and works. Cutouts at the bottom are well aligned. Guess we’ll see how it fares in real life. It feels protective.

Edit: It might cause problems with screen protectors that reach further towards the edge of the screen than my Spigen EzFit, because it closes around the edge of the phone and there is not much space left in my case.
Nice first impression.
 
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I know the iPhone 17 Pro in blue with the blue techwoven case was posted only a few pages back, so don’t mind me, but it really is such a stunning combination. Usually I have to buy a whole bunch of cases before finally deciding on one or two, but with the techwoven I think I might be one and done. It’s the perfect case for me - light, perfect fit, amazing grip, real pleasure to feel and use too.

I also wanted to share a stand from Twelve South though. It was released last year but it’s like it was made for the blue iPhone 17 Pro. The colour match is 10/10. Needed a portable stand for when I’m on a train/plane and this is the one - really light, padded MagSafe ring to protect the phone/case, nice and compact and it’s so sturdy too - you can put the phone at any angle you want and it’ll hold firmly in place.
 

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Haha, Caudabe's incompetence has spread to USPS.

Ordered a Sheath, Paragon, and Synthesis for my 17 Pro on October 29th (didn't expect them to actually ship fairly quickly). To my surprise, they shipped on November 3rd. Then they proceeded to sit in a distribution center until early this morning (the 6th) and finally started moving. Problem is, they went from a distribution center in Cincinnati to Avon, Massachusetts. Overnight, they showed back up in Cincinnati and now have a delivery date of Saturday (the 8th).

I have zero clue why they sat there for 4 days then took a trip 4 states away, only to come right back to where they started the same day. But last night they were supposed to be delivered today, and that little trip to Massachusetts set them back 2 days.

For reference, I'm in central Kentucky and Caudabe orders generally arrive in 1-2 days. So this has been an ordeal.
 
I know the iPhone 17 Pro in blue with the blue techwoven case was posted only a few pages back, so don’t mind me, but it really is such a stunning combination. Usually I have to buy a whole bunch of cases before finally deciding on one or two, but with the techwoven I think I might be one and done. It’s the perfect case for me - light, perfect fit, amazing grip, real pleasure to feel and use too.

I also wanted to share a stand from Twelve South though. It was released last year but it’s like it was made for the blue iPhone 17 Pro. The colour match is 10/10. Needed a portable stand for when I’m on a train/plane and this is the one - really light, padded MagSafe ring to protect the phone/case, nice and compact and it’s so sturdy too - you can put the phone at any angle you want and it’ll hold firmly in place.
I was the one that shared the photos and I appreciate seeing yours too.

It’s such a great combo and this case is by far my favorite. No need to entertain anything else for me personally.

I’m totally set on it!
 
Okay first impression of the Phone Rebel Air.

View attachment 2576679

It’s heavier and sturdier than I expected from a case with that name 😂 No MagSafe bump, everything is smooth. I do not like the flow through buttons with slits, they are rather hard to press right now. Especially the action button. That one has no click at all. I heard it gets better over time as it wears in though? Apart from that, it’s nice to hold. Sorta slippery on the back with textured sides. Phone snaps in nicely, but is also easy to remove. No screen lip except for the corners. And the gap around the camera plateau is rather wide and might collect detritus. CC button is easily pressed and works. Cutouts at the bottom are well aligned. Guess we’ll see how it fares in real life. It feels protective.

Edit: It might cause problems with screen protectors that reach further towards the edge of the screen than my Spigen EzFit, because it closes around the edge of the phone and there is not much space left in my case.
Nice write up, thanks! A couple of comments/questions:

I remember from the 16PM that this case is beefier than expected given the name. It’s quite a bit lighter than the Gen 6/7 though, so I suppose it makes sense within their lineup.

I can see that gap around the plateau in your photo—it definitely looks like a lint catcher. Ugh.

How rigid is it above the plateau (see pic)? I’m guessing it’s pretty flexible? This has always been a weak point for pure TPU cases, and it’s far worse this year with the addition of the full width “plateau”.

IMG_3288.jpeg
 
I know the iPhone 17 Pro in blue with the blue techwoven case was posted only a few pages back, so don’t mind me, but it really is such a stunning combination. Usually I have to buy a whole bunch of cases before finally deciding on one or two, but with the techwoven I think I might be one and done. It’s the perfect case for me - light, perfect fit, amazing grip, real pleasure to feel and use too.

I also wanted to share a stand from Twelve South though. It was released last year but it’s like it was made for the blue iPhone 17 Pro. The colour match is 10/10. Needed a portable stand for when I’m on a train/plane and this is the one - really light, padded MagSafe ring to protect the phone/case, nice and compact and it’s so sturdy too - you can put the phone at any angle you want and it’ll hold firmly in place.
That is sharp!

I’ll say it again (ad nauseam) - Apple needs to make a TechWoven for the Air.
 
Just found old new stock of the Deep Blue FineWoven wallet and think it pairs quite nicely with the blue 17 Pro and clear case.
That actually looks really nice. I would consider the Apple clear case on my deep blue with this wallet. Otherwise the clear case was a no for me with the huge white pad.
 
Ho boy, where do I even start 😂 it’s been a journey, but so far nothing has topped the Beats Rugged for me when it comes to handling and feel of the case.
Here’s my list:

Cases I kept:
- Beats Rugged - favorite by far
- Apple Silicone - favorite form factor
- Beats regular - would be my favorite if I could get the phone out of it without help 😂
- Spigen Rugged Armor
- Mous Limitless - probably
- ESR Hybrid Clear Case - had to return a lilac version of it though because of alignment issues
- Apple Clear Case - out of rotation because of easy dust accumulation and difficult removal
- Tech21 - out of rotation because of lack of a CC button and the groove where the button is is massive

Returned cases:
- Nudient clear case - returned because it was ridiculous, just a thin sheet of hard plastic with holes for all the buttons
- Nomad Modern Leather - returned because it felt not protective enough for that price and I didn’t like the color.
- Benks Magnetic - returned because of metal camera frame
- Spigen ultra hybrid - returned because of a misaligned.. well, everything
- Torras Ostand Q3 Air - returned because the metal ostand holder inside the case protruded a bit
- Araree Duple M Armor - returned because the case didn’t even fit on the phone, that was wild

Still incoming cases:
- Phone Rebel Air - incoming today
- Ryan London Black Shell Case - incoming ~December
- Caudabe Paragon Moonstone - incoming sometime 2026 probably. Might cancel it.
A journey indeed! Thanks for sharing this—it’s quite informative.

I’m not surprised the Beats and Apple topped your list. For me, they are very difficult to match on form factor and fit. I don’t see the TechWoven on your list—is there a reason why?
 
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You know there’s a setting to prevent that, right? It requires hitting the camera control button twice, which solves that issue.

Settings > Camera > Camera Control > Double Click
Ya I meant the Apple visual intelligence thing keeps popping up from long pressing. I leave it on pretending like it’s going to come in handy one of these days 😂
 
That is sharp!

I’ll say it again (ad nauseam) - Apple needs to make a TechWoven for the Air.

They really do. I actually own the Air, I’m only on a fourteen day trial basis with the Pro at the moment, but I’ve really struggled to find a case for the Air. Pitaka has probably been the best, although I have trust issues from a case of theirs I previously owned. The Moft, which is my usual go to, is really nice but the buttons protrude too much and the fit is too tight - trying to get the case off is such a pain in the arse, and I have to take it off every night as only the Apple cable fits.

The weight of the techwoven would have been perfect for the Air.
 
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