iPhone X Case Review Roundup: Apple, Twelve South, Nomad, Speck and Pad & Quill

[Darth Jeevster]

I was also going to say the same thing..I’ve been using Spigen since my 6S Plus and I couldn’t be more satisfied. I recommend it to friends and family who have mostly all made the switch.

I am also in no way affiliated with Spigen just a huge fan

I have a spigen case in my x it’s the thin fit one in black, it is just as good on the x as it was on my 7 plus, and supports wireless charging as well

 

[hirsthirst]

@jclo I preordered a SENA 'Bence' black leather wallet case for $80. Arrived in UK last Wednesday & it's beautiful:

 

[xDKP]

I'm glad I can go back to using the phone case-less again like the days pre-iPhone 6. This is like the old iPhones and it'll live in my hand naked.

That can very quickly be an expensive decision

 

[Johnny907]

Apple cases are overpriced trash. They neither hold up asthetically nor protect the phone from drops of any height, especially the bottom which is almost completely exposed. This wasn’t always the case. I gifted my old 5 black leather case to my son’s SE, and it looks and protects just as good for him as it did for me the day I bought it. Apple simply chose to pad their margins starting with the 6 case, and they haven’t improved since.

 

[Marshall73]

I would appreciate if you include Spigen in your next review. That’s what I use for my 7 plus, and I’d like to hear your thought on their iPhone X cases.

(I’m not affiliated with Spigen in any way other than being a user of their cases)

I have a spiegen clear ultra hybrid case on mine. I used the same on my 7 Plus. It adds a little to the size but feels good in the hand. It has a decent raised lip to protect the screen when face down. As with any case like this it’s worth removing every few weeks to remove any tiny particles of dust which may scratch the frame although it it better at staying clean than other cases of the same ilk.

I haven’t dropped my X yet but the numerous occasions when my Plus took a rumple it survived with no damage.

 

[Lethcoeb]

Ditto on the Spiegen cases. First used for the 7 plus and now the X. Their silicone cases fit great, and have not worn down after a year of almost daily removal (I use a different case for my armband).

 

[MadDog3]

Case reviews aren't often something that we do here at MacRumors because for the last several years, there's been little variation in case design since there's been little variation in iPhone design.

With the iPhone X, Apple introduced its first major design overhaul in years, so I thought I'd take a look at a wide range of cases from different manufacturers to see what's out there. Given that the iPhone X features a highly breakable glass body and high repair costs, case usage is more important than it has been in past years.

For this review roundup (and subsequent roundups to come) I took a look at the general usability of iPhone X cases from several companies. Extreme drop tests and in-depth testing aren't covered because those factors are less important than how a case works on an average day, and it's often fairly easy to tell from design how protective a case is going to be.

Factors like bulk, button accessibility, grip, thickness, and appearance are what I focused on. With the removal of the Home button, button presses are more important, and there are a surprising number of cases out there that make the buttons a lot more tedious to press.

Many people are also curious about wireless charging. Unless otherwise mentioned, wireless charging works with all of the cases below, and that's because almost all cases are compatible with wireless charging.

Note: Several wallet-style cases are included in this review, and for the models that have card slots in the rear, you should avoid using wireless charging or remove the cards first. Apple warns that the magnetic induction used for wireless charging can reduce the performance of magnetic strips in credit cards, security badges, passports, and more.

Apple

Apple makes three cases for the iPhone X: Silicone ($39), Leather ($49), and the Leather Folio ($99). I have the Silicone case on hand because that's what I bought to use as my personal case for my iPhone X. Apple's silicone cases are some of my favorite because they're soft, offer solid grip, are easy to get on and off of the iPhone, and are always perfectly fitted without adding unnecessary bulk.

The Silicone cases provide a small lip of material around the display to keep it from getting scratched when the iPhone is facedown, and it protects the buttons without impacting their performance. I've been using Silicone cases for a few years now and have been happy with their level of protection when dropping a device (nothing's ever broken). The one caveat is durability - without fail, these tend to start breaking down after about a year.


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Article Link: iPhone X Case Review Roundup: Apple, Twelve South, Nomad and Speck

[doublepost=1510058783][/doublepost]Check out Mous and Caudabe. Caudabe has a GREAT iPhone X case I just received (the Sheath) and I used their Veil case on my 7+.

 

[pertusis1]

Interesting article. I have used a bunch of different cases in the past, but I always come back to SEIDIO. The button access is great. I have never cracked a phone in spite of dropping it frequently. The grippiness of the plastic is perfect, and improves over time.

 

[WinstonRumfoord]

I have no idea how Speck stays in business, their products are so consistently ugly.

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

Why is it that you have to have a dead animal on your person or belongings to look "professional?" I see leather, I don't bother with that person because of their obvious inflated ego.

 

[iKen1]

The problem with the vast majority of these cases is that the bottom of the iPhone is almost completely covered. This make them almost unusable on a third party docking station, such as the Neptune Alarm Clock from Majority. This has a bar that extends sideways from the lightning connector leading to cases with a base not working. Apple's leather and silicon cases don't suffer this issue. The others with just a small hole do show the problem.

 

[Tears Apart]

I have been using the Apple's Leather Folio since Friday and I have to admit I am thoroughly impressed. Quality, fit, functionality... this is a thing of pure beauty.

TBH I don't see how anyone who's into Apple's design wouldn't readily admit that Apple's own cases are (at least design-wise) a notch above any other product. Yes, they are more expensive, but so are Apple's devices.

Bottom line is, I can't recommend the folio enough!
[doublepost=1510067284][/doublepost]

Yes. But Apple does not recommend using wireless charging with cards that have a magnetic strip because it can impact the functionality of the cards. Apple says remove them before wirelessly charging. This is an issue with cases that have rear-facing card slots like the RelaxedLeather. I haven't tested this enough to know how badly it's going to affect cards.

Apple only mentions not to store cards in the *bottom* pocket of their leather folio, so I assume it's okay to wireless charge with cards in as long as they aren't in the lower pocket.

 

[Tapdawg]

The Journal, priced at $70, is similar to the BookBook but has a slimmer spine, which I preferred to the BookBook. It has the same card slots for wallet replacement, and the same stand functionality, but it doesn't have the removable inner shell that needs to come out for wireless charging.

I have the Journal and can get wireless charging with the case on it without a problem. You might want to update your post about this.

 

[dwaltwhit]

I can look into it, but so far I haven't seen many battery cases for iPhone X.

I loved my apple battery case for my 6. I wonder if there is one forthcoming for the X.

 

[Hardy1989]

No case for me. I ditched the iPhone 7 case for the last few months with no issues. This is less slippy (touch wood). The whole point of AppleCare imo

 

[RemE]

I'm a fan of Pure.Gear ultra slim cases for several generations now, super slim, full protection, nice feel. My whole family has moved to them.
http://www.pure-gear.com/shop-by-device/iphone/slim-shell-case-for-iphone-x.html

 

[MikeKlump]

I loved my apple battery case for my 6. I wonder if there is one forthcoming for the X.

I'd have to imagine that would mess with the wireless charging.

 

[THE JUICEMAN]

the nomad cases look worse than previous ones. i don't like that they put the black plastic bumper around the phone and chose not to cover it in leather, as they did with previous generations.

from what i've read, the latest apple leather cases are much better than their first ones. my wife had a leather case on her 4 that didn't wear very well...it shredded, picked up a lot of color from her pocket/purse...newer leather cases seem to be much more resilient. i have a mujjo case i'm trying right now and an apple case coming. will compare both...

Interested to here your thoughts on the Mujjo vs Apple. Any pics of the Mujjo on? I’m curious if it feels softer than then Apple leather cases do.

 

[Boardiesboi]

I’ve been using the Nomad clear/leather combo case in the reviews and I love it!

I like the look of this as it’s a bit different from the standard all clear or all leather case.

Do you mind posting a few pics with it?

@jclo why don’t you like this case?

 

[barefeats]

I've been a big fan of Mujjo leather cases. The iPhone 6 and 7 models left all the buttons uncovered. Bummed that the newest iPhone X model covers all but the ring/silent switch. https://www.mujjo.com/cases

Big Mahalo to SWRobel who mentioned the Incipio Esquire Series fabric Slim Case with all buttons exposed. Just ordered the gray one for my iPhoneX.

 

[jclo]

I like the look of this as it’s a bit different from the standard all clear or all leather case.

Do you mind posting a few pics with it?

@jclo why don’t you like this case?

Just aesthetics. Not my cup of tea. I think it looks odd with the mix of leather + clear acrylic. If you like the style, though, I think it's a perfectly adequate case for protecting the iPhone. A little bit thicker than some of the other clear ones I've got on hand, but not too bulky.

 

[dannys1]

That can very quickly be an expensive decision

Nah, 90 days free insurance with credit card, then 9 months with AppleCare (it'll be sold this time last year) - considering i've only broken one iPhone in then years (and that was the stupid slippy iPhone 6) i'm unlikely to break this twice in one year.

Glass is grippy. Caseless is cheaper and better, thinner and lighter - prettier and easier to use.

 

[Gameboy70]

I prefer naked phones, since I don't drop them, but for extra traction and protection again abrasion, my favorite case is the TOZO. It's under $10 on Amazon, only 0.35mm thick, and adds a nice textured grip without adding bulk. It makes a space black phone almost look naked.

 

[AVBeatMan]

I’m tempted to try Apple’s leather folio but £99 in the UK and $99 in the US? Isn’t $99 = £75.06?

 

[jian9007]

I have used Apple Leather cases on all my phones since the 6. I have never cracked a screen when I have dropped my phones. The lip offers serious protection. They look and feel premium. I bought saddle brown and charcoal for my X.

I agree. I got the Apple Saddle Brown leather case and I love the look and feel of it as well. I usually never use cases on my phones, but with the X it kept sliding off some places like my leather couches arm, so I bought the Apple case.