Apple iPhone silicone case: The 10-month review

For nearly 10 months now, I’ve saved my iPhone XS Max armored in Apple’s $39 silicone case, and now that we’re possible solely a month away from the reveal of a brand new telephone, it’s a superb time to move judgement. And, properly, the state of affairs is grim. Let’s put it this fashion: If I didn’t know I’d be getting a brand new telephone subsequent month, I’d already be out there for a brand new case to switch this one.

Leif Johnson/IDG

But Leif, you say, it is a decidedly totally different take than what you stated final 12 months if you reviewed this case after solely 4 months! And it’s true: In an earlier model of this review, I stated, “I believe four months is enough time to prove that it’ll likely last the full lifespan of my phone under normal stress.”

Leif Johnson/IDG

Thing is, I nonetheless stand by a whole lot of what I stated. My iPhone doesn’t have a scratch on the physique. Its slim profile nonetheless permits it to slide neatly into my pockets, and its grippy silicone often retains me from worrying about dropping it even once I’m taking images from a railing of a wave-tossed ferry. (Surprisingly sufficient, I’m extraordinarily nervous when dealing with the slick leather-based case.) Klutz that I’m, simply yesterday I bumped right into a wall and my telephone flew out of my hand and crashed face-down on a tile flooring, and but I noticed no cracks within the show once I flipped over the telephone to evaluate the harm. I didn’t even fear as a result of the “lip” across the fringe of the show is excessive sufficient to maintain the glass protected. These issues occur sufficient that I’ve discovered that my telephone will most likely be effective.

Better days

But slightly below a 12 months later, the case appears able to retire. It’s actually tough across the edges, and the silicone is flaking off the edges like lifeless pores and skin from a sunburn. The again stays comparatively freed from nicks, however alongside the underside there’s a tear that’s large enough for my thumb, and I generally fear I’ll unintentionally strip away the whole silicone coating if my keys get jammed in between the silicone and the onerous case.

Leif Johnson/IDG

I most likely wouldn’t thoughts if this flakiness have been the case’s sole drawback. Enough silicone stays that it retains the grippiness I like a lot, and it stays stain-resistant despite the fact that I’m susceptible to dealing with it with greasy fingers or unintentionally laying it on a moist counter tops.

But no, there are bigger points. The backside proper of the onerous plastic shell beneath the silicone has fully damaged off (and it occurred so way back that I’ve forgotten the circumstances). So far I’ve been fortunate that I haven’t dropped it on that one unprotected spot, but when I ever do, I think about the harm shall be such that I’ll as properly not have been utilizing a case in any respect. And there’s proof that it’s concerning the worsen. In the higher proper I can see fractures taking form, and it received’t be lengthy till that…