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A cut-out like that is a deal breaker for me too. Although I can see why it’s there. For this kind of covered button you really need to test it on a real phone first. Without a physical phone creating a new covered button is a huge risk. So in the rush to market the vast majority of case manufacturers have gone for the safer option.

But surely third party cases with covered buttons are coming. It can’t be that hard to copy those on Apple cases. And I’m sure that these will be sold at a higher prices than the legion of “cheap” cut out cases.
 
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A cut-out like that is a deal breaker for me too. Although I can see why it’s there. For this kind of covered button you really need to test it on a real phone first. Without a physical phone creating a new covered button is a huge risk. So in the rush to market the vast majority of case manufacturers have gone for the safer option.

But surely third party cases with covered buttons are coming. It can’t be that hard to copy those on Apple cases. And I’m sure that these will be sold at a higher prices than the legion of “cheap” cut out cases.

This is a tough one.

I appreciate Caudabe's response and will await to see what they release tomorrow.

However, I agree that a flush button with the sapphire connection is a much better option than an open button hole.

While I'd rather buy a Caudabe case over an Apple Silicone, I think that there needs to be time for reviews to determine whether the company made a sound choice not to put an overlay on its case.
 
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Wow, that‘s helpful… Don‘t know where you‘ve got this from, but it appears to be a good balance between form and function…

As said in the CNET article, I’d be hesitant to buy an early third party case with a touch sensitive cover over the camera control since you cannot know how well it works… So first case would be better with a cut out, and this one seems to be not too disturbing. Also, since the sides of the sheath are slimmer than on the Synthesis, I think the sheath will allow a better use of the button through the cutout.

Also also: the camera control button is a sapphire crystal so I don’t think it will scratch easily (just as the camera lenses are exposed as well…)

Here’s a more ugly version of the picture that shows the cutout better:

(Sorry, somehow Forum replaced the photo in the quote with my edited one)
 
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Very curious about the new “Paragon” myself. To see what colors become available.
I likeed prior Sheath models on 13 (Alpine green + the green case) and 14 in Crimson and Purple. But couldn’t care less for the other rather boring colors.

From their site: Cutout Visible for the camera control

My hesitation: Nomad finally has a full leather case that isn’t just the back panel.
I’m sure other premium ones do too like Bullstrap, I just haven’t looked yet.


Going to be a hard call but will have to wait for tomorrow to see the whole picture.

I’ll be coming from iPhone 13 mini, with the Apple leather case I love.
 

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Very curious about the new “Paragon” myself. To see what colors become available.
I like my prior Sheath models on 13 (Alpine green + the green case) and 14 in Crimson and Purple. But couldn’t care less for the other rather boring colors.

From their site: Cutout Visible for the camera control

My hesitation: Nomad finally has a full leather case that isn’t just the back panel.
I’m sure other premium ones do too like Bullstrap, I just haven’t looked yet.


Going to be a hard call but will have to wait for tomorrow to see the whole picture.

Did they already go live with their lineup? I thought that was happening tomorrow
 
Did they already go live with their lineup? I thought that was happening tomorrow
Apparently not but there’s a URL on their site that leads to a landing page, the actual products are 404’d at the moment.

 
Apparently not but there’s a URL on their site that leads to a landing page, the actual products are 404’d at the moment.


You found a leak. Cool! Thank you for providing that link. I'll go look at these and decide.

I'm still not sold on their cutout until I see a review with an iPhone inside. Apple is doing it better with the sapphire overlay and it seems to be the better solution (though not the better case)
 

 


That would be the case and color I would want

Question: If you haven't chimed in on this issue already...

What do you think of the camera control button cutout? Do you think it's sufficient for optimal touch capability?

It looks as if even though the button is not flush with the case, there is enough indentation to get your finger in there and make the necessary gestures.

Just not certain
 
That would be the case and color I would want

Question: If you haven't chimed in on this issue already...

What do you think of the camera control button cutout? Do you think it's sufficient for optimal touch capability?

It looks as if even though the button is not flush with the case, there is enough indentation to get your finger in there and make the necessary gestures.

Just not certain

I haven't put that much thought into it yet. I just found the link. They do this every year ;-)

If I upgrade from my 14 Pro, I'll probably get the Apple case to start (even though I always get Caudabe) and wait for them to work out the kinks on the new design (like last year). And then wait quietly for a black Friday sale for the v2 version.
 
That Paragon is looking nice, hope they also release it in "boring" neutral colors too lol

I would expect the vast majority of third party cases will have a cutout at launch. It sounds like Apple pulled a fast one again so casemakers are gonna have to scramble like last year to release different options for cases with the button.

I'm not up for a new phone this year so it won't matter to me either way. But if I was, I'd wait for reviews on all these cases before making a decision to see how well the buttons work compared to a cutout. Either one will probably work just fine, but from personal past experience, I have not been a fan of cutouts in any cases. Too awkward to reach.
 
I wrote Caudabe, reminded them of last year's fiasco with their iPhone 15 cases (they were not told that the switch was now an action button), and asked what their return policy was if the camera control did not work as expected.

That Paragon is looking nice enough to take the gamble.

IF that Paragon ships immediately, I'll buy one as long as there is a money-back guarantee if that camera control cut-out doesn't work well. If the Paragon has a few weeks of waiting till ship, it makes more sense to buy an Apple case with the camera control button overlay.

I will let you know what kind of response I receive from Caudabe and I'll check their site for preorders first thing after midnight.
 
I wrote Caudabe, reminded them of last year's fiasco with their iPhone 15 cases (they were not told that the switch was now an action button), and asked what their return policy was if the camera control did not work as expected.

That Paragon is looking nice enough to take the gamble.

IF that Paragon ships immediately, I'll buy one as long as there is a money-back guarantee if that camera control cut-out doesn't work well. If the Paragon has a few weeks of waiting till ship, it makes more sense to buy an Apple case with the camera control button overlay.

I will let you know what kind of response I receive from Caudabe and I'll check their site for preorders first thing after midnight.

you think they need to be reminded?
 

Amazing, thank you! Do you also happen to have the link formte 16 Sheath?
 

Nice find! I'm on this as soon as I get off work. That new case is very intriguing. I'm getting a black Synthesis and a gray Sheath, but I might have to try out that new white case.

I really don't care about the cutout. It does look like the Caudabe cases have smaller cutouts which aren't as much of an eye sore. Either way, cutouts don't bug me and may even be easier to use.
 
Nice find! I'm on this as soon as I get off work. That new case is very intriguing. I'm getting a black Synthesis and a gray Sheath, but I might have to try out that new white case.

I really don't care about the cutout. It does look like the Caudabe cases have smaller cutouts which aren't as much of an eye sore. Either way, cutouts don't bug me and may even be easier to use.
Just ordered that same case/color combos myself.
 
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Just ordered that same case/color combos myself.
Are you getting the Paragon too or just Sheath and Synthesis? I might let others test the Paragon first before I pull the trigger, but the white one is really speaking to me. I can't see it replacing my Synthesis as my daily, but I'm curious.
 
Are you getting the Paragon too or just Sheath and Synthesis? I might let others test the Paragon first before I pull the trigger, but the white one is really speaking to me. I can't see it replacing my Synthesis as my daily, but I'm curious.
I had it in the cart but decided against it at checkout. I bought way too many cases for the 15 PM that wound up just laying around. I could see that case doing the same. I just stuck with the tried and true Sheath/Synthesis combo. That’s not to say I won’t pick it up later but want to hear some feedback first being the new case in the lineup.
 
I had it in the cart but decided against it at checkout. I bought way too many cases for the 15 PM that wound up just laying around. I could see that case doing the same. I just stuck with the tried and true Sheath/Synthesis combo. That’s not to say I won’t pick it up later but want to hear some feedback first being the new case in the lineup.
You and I are the same. I strayed from Caudabe more last year than I usually do. Got a Pitaka, a Finewoven (big mistake), and a Smartish Gripmunk. They all just landed in a drawer as I went back to the Synthesis usually and sometimes the Sheath. Keeping it simple this year.
 
you think they need to be reminded?

Yeah, I do, when they say that Apple sent them specs in advance and that they knew about the camera control button and that the cutout would be compatible.

A little hard to swallow after last year's screwup.

Not saying their new cases aren't compatible, but their track record isn't very good at this point.
 
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