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Add me to another one disappointed with the leather in the 12 series. Going with nomad this time around
 
I love the Apple leather cases. The fit, leather feel, and button feel are great. I don't use a case for protection but simply so the phone isn't so slippery that I'll drop it. The leather is just grippy enough for that, but it still slides easily out of my pants pocket when I'm not wearing a shirt with a pocket.

I've tried one or two of the Apple silicon cases, and they're okay, but they get too grippy, too tacky feeling. I've also had a brown leather Nomad case, and it was okay, but bulkier than the Apple leather case.

Oh, I did have a lighter blue color and after a year or so the corners turned black. All my other Apple leather cases have been black, and they always look great and don't change color.
 
That sucks, its been a couple years since Ive bought one. I still like the way they made the case, its super light and fairly protective. Its just grippy enough but doesnt hang up going into your pocket.
It seems like a lot of the other leather cases out there are either too bulky and heavy duty leather, or are laminated with plastic or something.
Apple’s fit is still wonderful, so I got Midnight for that reason. Won’t show the ugly color issues but still gives the fit.
 
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I've had great luck with apple leather. my 11 pro max case is looking work after 2 years but it protected my phone from drops those 2 years!

only reason I'm not getting one this year is cuz I don't like any of the colors! why or why not a dark blue LEATHER case since they came out with that baby blue phone?
 
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Skipping the Apple Leather this year. I think the shape is part to blame, but the saddle brown patina’d horribly in the 12 Pro. Looked like this for the last 6 months or so. It’s a shame, every other Apple Leather turned out nicely after a few months wear.
8D2D5879-78EC-4136-84DC-55A0A771C631.jpeg

A7765417-933C-4989-AC75-DAAB7B4BF772.jpeg
 
I'm wondering how many of you guys who are willing to spend $60 on a case for a $1k phone also buy an $1,800 car cover for your $30k car? I'd guess no one. The percentages are the same. These things are highly over priced.
Not the best analogy lol. First, the frequency with which I handle my car cover relative to the times I use my car is incredibly small, whereas the frequency with which I handle my case relative to the times i use my phone is nearly 1:1. Basically, I feel the case almost every time I handle the phone. Second, the phone has far less surface area than the car, so even a small scratch covers a higher proportion of the surface of the phone than the car.
 
Currently have the silicone Plum for the 12 Pro but for the 13 Pro I ordered the Sequoia green...I find the clover green silicone for the 13P not as nice...and although I loved the Plum silicone I have now, it really is falling apart...I thought the dark cherry leather for the 13P would be a nice replacement but it looks so purple in outside light, while inside it does look darker red...I think the sequoia green looks nice and sleek in and outside
 
I'm wondering how many of you guys who are willing to spend $60 on a case for a $1k phone also buy an $1,800 car cover for your $30k car? I'd guess no one. The percentages are the same. These things are highly over priced.
Well, I spent about $2k to wrap my Porsche Cayman in clear film to protect it from stone chips and whatnot. Sure, not a $30k car but personally I think it makes sense to protect something that looks nice and is relatively expensive :)
 
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My 1yo blue Apple is a little scuffed up in the corners from drops, but it protected the phone well, doing what it’s supposed to do. Not much patina - more the color wearing off to black on the corners.

BUT what I love about the Apple cases is that the scuffs from falls don’t expose a plastic frame. I’ve had other more expensive leather cases over the year and the cracks/scuffs that expose a frame are FAR worse in my opinion than the wear on my current Apple Blue leather case.

Last year I chose NOT to do a glass protector because I prefer the feel of the original glass and I don’t see ANY scratches - I do throw it in my purse but my keys aren’t exposed and there’s nothing else rough.

So I’m sticking to what works and going with the Dark Cherry Red.

I also have Blue for my 12 Pro Max and went with Dark Cherry Red for my 13 PM. I have black at the corners but they don't really show unless you look closely.

You can get better leather quality from other suppliers but I don't think you can match the fit, which is why I stay with Apple cases.
 
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Skipping the Apple Leather this year. I think the shape is part to blame, but the saddle brown patina’d horribly in the 12 Pro. Looked like this for the last 6 months or so. It’s a shame, every other Apple Leather turned out nicely after a few months wear.View attachment 1837397
View attachment 1837398
Thanks, this is what I was afraid of with the new shape of the phone. I have loved the Apple leather cases for years for my older phones that were more rounded. (6, X, 11). Over the years I had red, blue, and dark green and they have patina'd so nicely and felt so good in my hand.
 
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If you want serious drop damage you need something like an Otterbox Defender. https://www.amazon.com/OtterBox-Defender-SCREENLESS-Case-iPhone/dp/B09D5G613M/ref=sr_1_3? Those are beyond MilSpec for drops.

I find those uncomfortable to hold so I just go with Apple leather.
Another good option for drop protection is the urban armor gear. I like the Monarch. I'm using one on my 8plus and if I upgrade to the 13pm, I'll get on for it. They are very light and not including the corners are about the same width of the apple leather case. They are grippy. See link below. They are doing one in Kevlar for the 13. 20ft drop protection.

 
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I've had Apple silicon cases over the years and the problem with them is they alway fall apart, the silicon just starts ripping off at a certain point. This year I bought the Apple leather case thinking it'd feel really nice and hold up better. After reading here I'm not so sure. I've already received it and when I opened the box my first thought was that the leather felt kinda cheap.
 
Not the best analogy lol. First, the frequency with which I handle my car cover relative to the times I use my car is incredibly small, whereas the frequency with which I handle my case relative to the times i use my phone is nearly 1:1. Basically, I feel the case almost every time I handle the phone. Second, the phone has far less surface area than the car, so even a small scratch covers a higher proportion of the surface of the phone than the car.
So because you rarely use a car cover, you think that makes an over priced phone case more rational? It’s the opposite. You’ll let your car sit unprotected almost always (according to you), but your precious phone needs to be “protected” by something that doesn’t guarantee it’s protection at all.
 
Well, I spent about $2k to wrap my Porsche Cayman in clear film to protect it from stone chips and whatnot. Sure, not a $30k car but personally I think it makes sense to protect something that looks nice and is relatively expensive :)
For one, the percentage spent to protect your car vs overall vehicle price makes more sense (which you eluded to), and you are in the minority of people to do such a thing.

Was that a flex, or were you just helping to prove my point that cases are over priced and somewhat pointless?
 
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I'm getting a black leather case. I used a saddle brown and a black one the past 2 years and both look pretty bad at this point especially the saddle brown. It didn't patina all that well but looks better than the one posted earlier. I've had the brown Nomad as well and didn't particularly care for how that one wore either. It just got scratchy IMO. Vaja makes nice cases but pricey. I also ordered a silver civilian case from Urban Armor.
 
So because you rarely use a car cover, you think that makes an over priced phone case more rational? It’s the opposite. You’ll let your car sit unprotected almost always (according to you), but your precious phone needs to be “protected” by something that doesn’t guarantee it’s protection at all.
Sure whatever. I’m confused about your desired outcome here. Are you getting everyone to stop buying cases? Or are you just looking for a rigorous debate to prove your superior logic or rhetoric skills? Frankly, it’s just a case. Think about it, I read and respond to posts about phone cases. It’s pretty clear I’m not out here singularly focused on optimizing my energy and resources…it’s just a fun diversion.
 
Skipping the Apple Leather this year. I think the shape is part to blame, but the saddle brown patina’d horribly in the 12 Pro. Looked like this for the last 6 months or so. It’s a shame, every other Apple Leather turned out nicely after a few months wear.View attachment 1837397
View attachment 1837398
oh god thats terrible. Man they used to be such nice cases as they aged :(
 
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APPLE Leather cases are good quality (not great quality) the dark colors last longer without showing the dirt. They are a perfect fit for your iPhone and offer some drop protection , although that’s not the reason to buy it
Unfortunately Apple has only put out 5 colors this year
 
Sure whatever. I’m confused about your desired outcome here. Are you getting everyone to stop buying cases? Or are you just looking for a rigorous debate to prove your superior logic or rhetoric skills? Frankly, it’s just a case. Think about it, I read and respond to posts about phone cases. It’s pretty clear I’m not out here singularly focused on optimizing my energy and resources…it’s just a fun diversion.
Let me help with your confusion. I'm stating my opinion on the lack of value in Apple leather cases, or any over priced case that doesn't guarantee protection. Simply because that opinion differentiates with yours, you are all of the sudden confused.
 
Let me help with your confusion. I'm stating my opinion on the lack of value in Apple leather cases, or any over priced case that doesn't guarantee protection. Simply because that opinion differentiates with yours, you are all of the sudden confused.
Oh you probably could have just kept it simple and stated that in your op, instead of including that weird car cover analogy. Anyway, let’s not keep this going.
 
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I haven't use a Nomad case since the XS Max. I disliked it because the buttons of the case were too flush with the sides of the case, so it made finding them difficult. I don't know if they've changed the design since. With that being said, I think the leather on the Nomad smell great. I also prefer the TPU sides of the Nomad.
As some have already mentioned, the quality of the leather on the Apple cases has changed, but I prefer the change. The Apple leather case for my 12 Pro Max has more grip than previous year's.
 
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