I ordered two items from Peel. Their "silver" case (which is really a translucent frost) and their white edge-to-edge glass screen protector for my silver iPhone 8. I installed both today.
Screen Protector:
The packaging was nice and included the usual pack-ins - microfiber cloth, alcohol wipe, dust sticker, instructions, and screen protector.
My first impression of the screen protector is that it's probably the best thing since Cinder, which I had on my 6 (albeit in black). I can't confirm, but it looks to be more like 0.2mm thick like the Cinder and not 0.3mm thick like a lot of others out there. Did not reach out to Peel to ask, their site doesn't specify.
The edges appear to be rounded/3D/molded to the phone unlike a lot of the cheaper 2/2.5D glass ones. Much like Cinder. Coverage is great. Much like Cinder.
One thing I did notice is the white is not an absolute perfect match to the phone's white bezel. It is *very* close (a tad softer in color tone) but you cannot tell at all when it's on, even compared to the exposed home button, so this is a non-issue. Can't speak for the Cinder as mine was black.
The edge around the home button is fine, but it is not as softly rounded as the Cinder was. Touch ID still works fine. On that note, so does 3D touch.
The installation went fine, I got one hair under there but I was able to lift up the corner and grab it with a piece of tape. Alignment is perfect and was actually pretty easy - you can basically set it down on the phone and move it a little to align it and THEN press down to adhere it - you don't need to worry about it sticking in the first position where it touches the screen. Clarity and feel are like there's nothing on the screen.
I have one potential criticism: I feel a bit like I'm looking through a window when the screen is on, and I think it's because - if I recall from before I put it on, and like how my white SE is - there's actually supposed to be a tiny black border around the active part of the screen, and this covers it. In fact I believe it covers a sliver of your active screen on the sides as well, but not enough to interfere with any content. It is a little odd having white bezel immediately adjacent to your content without that minor black line around the screen - you can tilt your phone to the side and basically see the black screen outline that is covered up. A little disappointing but I'll get used to it though. I can't speak for if my old Cinder suffered from this or not, as that one was black on a black phone so I would not have noticed anyway. I don't think it did though.
All in all the screen protector gets 4.5/5 stars. Highly recommended as a Cinder alternative since Cupert Technology is what it is. Would bypass the Cinder and go straight to the Peel in the future.
Case:
Packaging was nice and simple. The case is made of PP plastic according to Peel, which I assume means Polypropylene. I come from a world of rigid polycarbonate clear cases, so there's a little adjustment here. Out of the box, if I'm totally honest, it is pretty flimsy/cheap feeling. It's not rubbery, it's definitely plastic, but it's flimsy as you'd expect given the 0.35mm thickness and it doesn't look particularly immaculately formed - the phone is going to do that for you once you install it. The color is nice, but despite being a matte/translucent case it doesn't really afford any extra grip which I found surprising.
Once on the phone, it seems much nicer. It's tight to the phone like a skin, feels like nothing is there, and the buttons are flush with the case. All of the cutouts are precise except the camera cutout - the lip is covered, but there is a little excess material on the bottom edge but it does not affect camera function. Otherwise the fit of the case is excellent and it wraps right to the upper edge of the aluminum frame of the phone, no more no less. It's complimented very well with the screen protector they sell.
Phone shows through nicely and the case does have a nice feel to it in the case. Wireless charging with the Belkin pad from Apple works fine.
I have a few potential criticisms: Peel advertises that this case protects against scratches and light bumps. Nobody is expecting this to save your phone in a real drop, but to be honest I have my doubts about even bumps like a 2-3" drop onto the table or bumping the corner of the phone into a desk. I'm not sure it really inspires confidence for anything at all except scratch protection for laying it on hard surfaces.
Another criticism is I'm just not sure how long the case will last or if it will stretch out. If it does, that'll be too bad but if it keeps its current form it will be great.
The last criticism is probably just paranoia - given the softness of the glass back on the phone, I'm worried that just putting the phone in and out of the case will potentially scratch the glass or leave micro-scratches in the oleophobic coating on the phone. I guess time will tell.
Case gets 4/5 stars. At least initially, I am recommending this as a great case for people who hate cases and are still very careful but don't want to have to worry about setting their phone on a napkin or something when they go out.
Overall:
Happy with both purchases, phone feels and looks good and I would buy both again at this time.
Now for some pics:
Screen Protector:
The packaging was nice and included the usual pack-ins - microfiber cloth, alcohol wipe, dust sticker, instructions, and screen protector.
My first impression of the screen protector is that it's probably the best thing since Cinder, which I had on my 6 (albeit in black). I can't confirm, but it looks to be more like 0.2mm thick like the Cinder and not 0.3mm thick like a lot of others out there. Did not reach out to Peel to ask, their site doesn't specify.
The edges appear to be rounded/3D/molded to the phone unlike a lot of the cheaper 2/2.5D glass ones. Much like Cinder. Coverage is great. Much like Cinder.
One thing I did notice is the white is not an absolute perfect match to the phone's white bezel. It is *very* close (a tad softer in color tone) but you cannot tell at all when it's on, even compared to the exposed home button, so this is a non-issue. Can't speak for the Cinder as mine was black.
The edge around the home button is fine, but it is not as softly rounded as the Cinder was. Touch ID still works fine. On that note, so does 3D touch.
The installation went fine, I got one hair under there but I was able to lift up the corner and grab it with a piece of tape. Alignment is perfect and was actually pretty easy - you can basically set it down on the phone and move it a little to align it and THEN press down to adhere it - you don't need to worry about it sticking in the first position where it touches the screen. Clarity and feel are like there's nothing on the screen.
I have one potential criticism: I feel a bit like I'm looking through a window when the screen is on, and I think it's because - if I recall from before I put it on, and like how my white SE is - there's actually supposed to be a tiny black border around the active part of the screen, and this covers it. In fact I believe it covers a sliver of your active screen on the sides as well, but not enough to interfere with any content. It is a little odd having white bezel immediately adjacent to your content without that minor black line around the screen - you can tilt your phone to the side and basically see the black screen outline that is covered up. A little disappointing but I'll get used to it though. I can't speak for if my old Cinder suffered from this or not, as that one was black on a black phone so I would not have noticed anyway. I don't think it did though.
All in all the screen protector gets 4.5/5 stars. Highly recommended as a Cinder alternative since Cupert Technology is what it is. Would bypass the Cinder and go straight to the Peel in the future.
Case:
Packaging was nice and simple. The case is made of PP plastic according to Peel, which I assume means Polypropylene. I come from a world of rigid polycarbonate clear cases, so there's a little adjustment here. Out of the box, if I'm totally honest, it is pretty flimsy/cheap feeling. It's not rubbery, it's definitely plastic, but it's flimsy as you'd expect given the 0.35mm thickness and it doesn't look particularly immaculately formed - the phone is going to do that for you once you install it. The color is nice, but despite being a matte/translucent case it doesn't really afford any extra grip which I found surprising.
Once on the phone, it seems much nicer. It's tight to the phone like a skin, feels like nothing is there, and the buttons are flush with the case. All of the cutouts are precise except the camera cutout - the lip is covered, but there is a little excess material on the bottom edge but it does not affect camera function. Otherwise the fit of the case is excellent and it wraps right to the upper edge of the aluminum frame of the phone, no more no less. It's complimented very well with the screen protector they sell.
Phone shows through nicely and the case does have a nice feel to it in the case. Wireless charging with the Belkin pad from Apple works fine.
I have a few potential criticisms: Peel advertises that this case protects against scratches and light bumps. Nobody is expecting this to save your phone in a real drop, but to be honest I have my doubts about even bumps like a 2-3" drop onto the table or bumping the corner of the phone into a desk. I'm not sure it really inspires confidence for anything at all except scratch protection for laying it on hard surfaces.
Another criticism is I'm just not sure how long the case will last or if it will stretch out. If it does, that'll be too bad but if it keeps its current form it will be great.
The last criticism is probably just paranoia - given the softness of the glass back on the phone, I'm worried that just putting the phone in and out of the case will potentially scratch the glass or leave micro-scratches in the oleophobic coating on the phone. I guess time will tell.
Case gets 4/5 stars. At least initially, I am recommending this as a great case for people who hate cases and are still very careful but don't want to have to worry about setting their phone on a napkin or something when they go out.
Overall:
Happy with both purchases, phone feels and looks good and I would buy both again at this time.
Now for some pics:
Last edited:
