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Seanm87

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 10, 2014
2,208
4,407
To be clear I’m not one of them.

In fact its the only thing I’ve seen from Apple that everyone seems to universally dislike. Even the butterfly keyboard had its fans.

So any fans of the smart case? And is so, what do you like about it?
 

ewrapple

macrumors member
Dec 21, 2016
43
63
I think the design is silly but I like how easy it is to take out headphones compared to a zip up case. I wish there was an additional zip cup case included though. I've never really paid attention to headphone cases and don't know why weird design on a pretty irrelevant thing is such a big deal.
 

Mr.Blacky

Cancelled
Jul 31, 2016
1,880
2,583
Since I never toss my headphones in my backpack together with knifes, scissors, broken glass, sand or whatever, I don't really give a f*** about the case. Maybe I'll use it, maybe not. 🤷‍♂️
 

Klschmann

macrumors member
Jan 21, 2020
45
59
Washington, DC
I like the fact that now that I have the headband set how I like, I don't have to readjust to put in a case. This is particularly nice since there are no headband clicks like most headphones have. I also have the Bose 700 and have to adjust them every time I pull them out of the case which is a small hassle (no dealbreaker, but annoying).
 

ZombiePete

macrumors 68020
Aug 6, 2008
2,410
1,253
San Antonio, TX
It’s okay. I would eschew using them at all if I weren’t concerned about the corners clacking together and scratching up the aluminum, so I guess it’s a “better than nothing” situation but I don’t particularly “like” them.
 

jz0309

Contributor
Sep 25, 2018
11,390
30,059
SoCal
it actually reminds me of a time when I visited Milan Italy for the first time, back in ~ 1990 ... it was a business trip and my colleague and I left Sunday o do some sightseeing, as we get into downtown, near the dome, we noticed a lot of guys seemed to carry purses, no biggie, Milan is a fashion place so we thought, but when we got closer, the men were actually carrying their car radios! As we learned the next day in the office, it was very typical as car radios got stolen a lot. back in those days there was a standard format for car stereo systems ... anyway, today we're carrying AirPods mass like purses 🤪 🤪
 

The Mad Kiwi

macrumors 6502
Mar 15, 2006
421
135
In Hell
I like the case, not that it's really a case, more like a pouch. It's super slim so it doesn't take up any extra unnecessary space in my bag. I'm glad it didn't come in some gigantic hard case.

It goes without saying that my bag is kept clean and organised because I'm an adult and look after my stuff.

You'll be able to buy a hard case if you want one from Aliexpress for a couple of dollars within a week I'd guess. Some Chinese manufacturer will be onto it.
 
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Boardiesboi

macrumors 601
Sep 3, 2013
4,613
10,691
Sydney Australia
I don’t mind the smart case / purse / bra

I don’t really see myself taking this out of the house or to the gym. In the house it’s easy to slip in and out of the case. I’m going to get a stand for them so it can sit on my desk.

When I do want to travel with them, I’ll probably get a hard shell case off Amazon. They’ll probably have third party cases made for APM with magnetic strips to enable low power mode in no time.
 

chicagofan00

macrumors 6502
Apr 4, 2010
296
242
Overall I don’t really mind it but I think for the price of the headphones a better case should have been supplied for when traveling. Around the house it works just fine.
 

ILowry82

macrumors 6502
Sep 26, 2014
341
117
It doesn't bother me like a lot of others. The fact that the case isn't protective isn't a huge deal as I don't travel much. If I do, I'm sure I can find a $20 case from amazon that will fit them pretty easily. No big deal. The only thing that bothers me about the case is that it basically acts as a power button. I'm sure through a software update they can have the ANC button act as a power button with a long press rendering the smart case useless.
 

Abazigal

Contributor
Jul 18, 2011
20,392
23,894
Singapore
Were I to get one, it would likely be for home use and be on a headphone stand when not in use. Not sure I might even bother with the case in such a scenario.
 
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H. Flower

macrumors 6502a
Jul 23, 2008
759
852
Overall I don’t really mind it but I think for the price of the headphones a better case should have been supplied for when traveling. Around the house it works just fine.

Apple's recent trend towards cheap packaging (under guise of environmentalism) slowly working its way into the accessories.........
 

Pug72

macrumors 68020
Mar 18, 2012
2,289
2,251
England
Yeah, the case is naff. In fact it's not really a case as it provides minimal protection.
Not bothered myself as they will rarely leave home, if ever.
 

Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
35,666
52,483
In a van down by the river
Were I to get one, it would likely be for home use and be on a headphone stand when not in use. Not sure I might even bother with the case in such a scenario.
Headphone stand would be best, in my opinion.

I don’t put too much emphasis on tech looks but the AirMax case is hideous looking and I don’t have a lot of faith that it would last with a lot of use.
 

firewire9000

macrumors 6502a
Sep 15, 2015
573
952
It’s stupid, like the Smart Cover for the iPad but even less useful. With a regular case like the Sony you can toss them into a backpack without worrying of damaging the headphones, with the stupid Max’s case, no way I would do the same. So I don’t think that anyone likes it, not even Tim Cook.
 

Meever

macrumors 6502a
Jun 30, 2009
641
30
Apple just should have called it a cover or something. As a case it protects nothing so I’m not a fan of it.
But since the headphones hang on my wall most of the time it actually works pretty well in my usecase.
 

w4rmk

macrumors 6502
Feb 13, 2006
286
84
I like the case/cover quite a bit, very minimalist and won't take up a lot of space in luggage/bag. My only concern is that the mesh on the headband is left unprotected. I am not sure about durability of the material over time. Oh well I bought AppleCare+ for my APMs just in case any accidental damage occurs.
 
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quagmire

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2004
6,985
2,492
I like how easy it is to remove the APM from it and put them back in. And obviously does enough protection when it is sitting on my desk not being used......

But pretty much it. While I do not intend to take them to the gym, bus, etc( my Airpods Pro will be used then), I do worry about how protecting the mesh and the exposed parts from travel whether in a backpack or suitcase for airplane use. The case is just there to provide minor protection while stationary and not in use for all intents of purposes. Guess Apple sees the APM's as headphones meant for home use and the APP's are for travel given the design of the case.
 
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