iPhone 16/e/Plus/Pro/Pro Max cases

[JBlass421]

Just got the Belemay case for my 16 Pro with the Camera Control button. Got Saddle Brown leather (not the horse leather whatever that is.) Some initial thoughts of the Belemay case:

1. Fits well and is snug, but it’s clearly thicker around the edges of the phone compared to the Ryan London case with CC button
2. CC button works, but it’s raised compared to the RL and my Apple Silicon case. It’s weird but doesn’t impact the functionality. I hate the CC button and never use it but wanted a cover lol, but prefer the Apple and RL implementation
3. Doesn’t really smell like leather (feels like plastic) but definitely better than the Apple Silicon case. RL clearly feels and smells like leather. If RL can fix the USB-C cutout, then I think that’s the best case out there
4. The bottom cutouts aren’t perfectly aligned and have some visible creases. Not a deal breaker but doesn’t feel like $50 worth of quality
5. MagSafe magnet is very weak

Feels like the case should be about $30-$40, not $50. Not sure if I am going to keep this or not, but at least its an option for those of us who will only purchase a case with a CC button

UPDATE: Returning it back to Amazon. Cannot recommend this case!

I ordered Black and Saddle Brown, I received the Saddle Brown today. It will be going back for me as well.

I agree the leather doesn’t smell like anything actually, definitely makes you question it. The feel almost reminds me of the last gen Apple leather cases that were/felt not as good quality leather as the older versions.

The buttons and camera frame are all aluminum and clicky. No issues there.

The CC button functions well in my opinion and is very sensitive for zooming in and out. I did notice that the “crystal” looks scratched.

The case weighs 39.8 grams so almost 40g coming from the 29g ArmorAir. I definitely feel the heft but it’s not terrible being sub 40g (barely). Any case 40g+ for me is a no go. The Montage Pro I tried was 43g and felt too heavy. Going ultra thin and light has rewired my view of heftier cases completely.

My biggest gripe, once again same issue as Montage Pro with CC button I recently tried. The lip area around the CC protrudes out and you can clearly see it on the phones front frame. Such a bad look in my opinion and personally for me that is a total deal breaker especially on an almost $50 case on top.

MagSafe strength definitely not that strong I put it on my MagSafe holder in the car and it held it but felt very easy to pop off. Significantly weaker than my ArmorAir which has great MagSafe strength.

Looking at your photos I like how RL looks slimmer around the lips of the case in comparison to this one being bulkier looking so like you I would totally prefer that as well but no RL for me (leather case isn’t a must for me).

I’ll stick to my Aurora ArmorAir still there’s nothing that has topped it for me. Let’s see what happens with the black version coming on Wednesday.

 

[kecinzer]

So, Beats case is nice, but definitely less scratches proof than Arc 😄. After a weekend with Beats case abrasions all around 😄.

 

[Pug72]

@JBlass421 Fixed the cc button bulge on the Montage pretty much by heating with hair dryer whilst pushing in (without phone installed), then put in freezer for 10 mins. 👍🏻

 

[Zensō]

@JBlass421 Fixed the cc button bulge on the Montage pretty much by heating with hair dryer whilst pushing in (without phone installed), then put in freezer for 10 mins. 👍🏻

Benks should include those instructions with each case purchase. 😉

 

[Pug72]

Lol, definitely!! 😄

 

[Hooterville]

@JBlass421 Fixed the cc button bulge on the Montage pretty much by heating with hair dryer whilst pushing in (without phone installed), then put in freezer for 10 mins. 👍🏻

Maybe a couple minutes in the microwave would have helped also

 

[Hamsterhjulet]

After about a week with the Ryan London (with Camera Control) I’m in love. Best case I’ve used to date. I was using the Apple Silicone case beforehand which was very good too. But there’s something special about leather cases. Ryan London is the perfect minimalistic leather case for the iPhone. It doesn’t add to much bulk.

 

[JBlass421]

@JBlass421 Fixed the cc button bulge on the Montage pretty much by heating with hair dryer whilst pushing in (without phone installed), then put in freezer for 10 mins. 👍🏻

Nice DIY fix!

 

[Hooterville]

Caudabe & Phone Rebel, are they dead in the water?

 

[jimthing]

We now have another leather case with a CC button:

Belemay Leather Case for iPhone 16 Pro, Compatible with MagSafe [Camera Control Button] [Vintage Aesthetic] Premium Crazy Horse Leather, Unique Patina, Comfort Grip, Metal Buttons (6.3") Classic Brown

Crafted leather case compatible with the iPhone 16 Pro, our top grain leather Wrapped case works smoothly with Magsafe. It‘s made of waxed crazy horse style leather from USA, elegantly paired with soft microfiber lining. Enjoy its sleek design, complemented by sophisticated metal button...

a.co

Worth adding to the first post?


(BTW, where's the black colour version (P or PM)? Not on that link. 🤷‍♂️ — per post below):

I ordered Black and Saddle Brown, I received the Saddle Brown today...

 

[JBlass421]

Worth adding to the first post?


(BTW, where's the black colour version (P or PM)? Not on that link. 🤷‍♂️ — per post below):

That’s because the crazy horse leather one doesn’t have a black version. This is the vegetable tanned leather option which comes in saddle brown and black. Here you go! 😉

Belemay Leather Case for iPhone 16 Pro Max, Compatible with MagSafe [Camera Control Button] [Luxury & Classy] Premium Full-Grain Vegetable-Tanned Leather, Rich Patina, Secure Grip Cover (6.9") Black

Belemay Leather Case Compatible with MagSafe, Full-Grain Vegetable-Tanned Leather, Metal Buttons & Camera Bezel - Slim Fit&Sleek- Luxury Phone Cover

a.co

 

[jimthing]

That’s because the crazy horse leather one doesn’t have a black version. This is the vegetable tanned leather option which comes in saddle brown and black. Here you go! 😉

Belemay Leather Case for iPhone 16 Pro Max, Compatible with MagSafe [Camera Control Button] [Luxury & Classy] Premium Full-Grain Vegetable-Tanned Leather, Rich Patina, Secure Grip Cover (6.9") Black

Belemay Leather Case Compatible with MagSafe, Full-Grain Vegetable-Tanned Leather, Metal Buttons & Camera Bezel - Slim Fit&Sleek- Luxury Phone Cover

a.co

Thanks! Not in Amz UK right now, unfortunately.

When your one black comes, give us your pics and/or thoughts (vs. RL). 😉

 

[JBlass421]

Thanks! Not in Amz UK right now, unfortunately.

When your one black comes, give us your pics and/or thoughts (vs. RL). 😉

I don’t own the RL and never have so can’t give comparison thoughts unfortunately.

I’ll take some photos for sure.

I’m returning the Saddle Brown version if you saw my last post not sure the Black will be much different.

 

[jimthing]

5-mins ago, my fake Apple 16PM black CC button leather case arrived!

The packaging is exactly like Apple's packaging, and the CC button looks perfect too. The only thing they did was stick some stickers over the Apple logo's on the box (easily removed); presumably so it didn't get stopped by customs as a fake or similar. Amazing and quite amusing really, in a good way, lol!

Will add pics/thoughts tmrw, as only got bad inside evening lights on right now.

 

[Zensō]

Worth adding to the first post?

Added.

 

[iFone88]

5-mins ago, my fake Apple 16PM black CC button leather case arrived!

The packaging is exactly like Apple's packaging, and the CC button looks perfect too. The only thing they did was stick some stickers over the Apple logo's on the box (easily removed); presumably so it didn't get stopped by customs as a fake or similar. Amazing and quite amusing really, in a good way, lol!

Will add pics/thoughts tmrw, as only got bad inside evening lights on right now.

I got my blue one one. Whilst the case itself in terms of fit was good, buttons were good, the CC button was absolute garbage.

Attached a screenshot of a video I took to send it back.

Button looks stuck on and it didn’t work in the slightest

 

[Zensō]

Caudabe & Phone Rebel, are they dead in the water?

It sure seems that way. Add Nomad to the list.

 

[SeanOsman]

Caudabe & Phone Rebel, are they dead in the water?

It sure seems that way. Add Nomad to the list.

Caudabe MUST be getting close. In one of their replies on Reddit (19 days ago), they stated that they are “working on their own solution for camera control”, and they even offered to send someone an updated case to try out in exchange for their “honest thoughts.” I emailed them and offered my honest thoughts for the new case, but just got the standard “Stay tuned… ” reply.

IMO, it’s going to be a HUGE missed opportunity for them if Apple releases a new case first. Hopefully we get some info soon. I’m REALLY trying to hold out for a Paragon with CC button.

 

[kecinzer]

Finally back home 😄

 

[richxps]

Finally back home 😄

Welcome back 😛

 

[kecinzer]

Now considering about returning Beats case 🤔

 

[Cobalt Blizzard]

Exchanged Apple Clear Case for Stone Gray Silicone. Good balance of “gripness” and barely shows any smudges/lint.

 

[Hamsterhjulet]

Exchanged Apple Clear Case for Stone Gray Silicone. Good balance of “gripness” and barely shows any smudges/lint.

View attachment 2483408

The new Silicone cases are indeed way better than previous years but the case will still pick up quite a bit of lint during normal use especially from jeans.

 

[jimthing]

5-mins ago, my fake Apple 16PM black CC button leather case arrived!

The packaging is exactly like Apple's packaging, and the CC button looks perfect too. The only thing they did was stick some stickers over the Apple logo's on the box (easily removed); presumably so it didn't get stopped by customs as a fake or similar. Amazing and quite amusing really, in a good way, lol!

Will add pics/thoughts tmrw, as only got bad inside evening lights on right now.

I got my blue one one. Whilst the case itself in terms of fit was good, buttons were good, the CC button was absolute garbage.

Attached a screenshot of a video I took to send it back.

Button looks stuck on and it didn’t work in the slightest

View attachment 2483232

Here we go...

As per @iFone88 – I agree. Good fit, black metal buttons decent enough, softer to push than Ryan London, bottom and camera cutouts good. The leather is a harder textured type, rather than RL's softer smooth type. Plastic lip around camera area vs. metal on RL. Bottom 'gap-gate' issue is better than RL, as the fake Apple is harder overall, but again I don't have a problem with my RL here anyway.

The Apple logo is not embossed as deep as previous legit leather Apple cases.

But the CC button is pretty flimsy and material looks plasticy. To get it to work you have to push it down quite a lot, then if it triggers the on-screen control, you can sort-of slide your finger about to get it to work...kind of...sort of...but nowhere near as good as the RL one for sure. The reason is the fake Apple has the button nearer the surface of the case, so pushing it down further is necessary, vs. the RL that already sits further down, so pushing and sliding is easier and more intuitive.

On a separate note, I notice the RL case's leather marks really easily, as mine is only a 2-3 weeks old and has gotten scratches; so a premium brand should consider a harder leather if doing one. Personally, I'm not overly concerned about these things, as it's a case so will get marked, but worth noting nonetheless.

• See pics (excuse the lint!) – fake Apple (left/bottom) / RL (right/top):



The more interesting thing is the near-exact Apple packaging, which is exactly like Apple's own leather boxes for previous years, and includes a guarantee booklet...just with updated info for the 16PM and dates ('2024' box/card insert / '2022' booklet)!

• See pics:



While I wouldn't order it again, for £13, I'll still just keep the fake Apple but use the RL. Thanks. ;-)

 

[kecinzer]

The new Silicone cases are indeed way better than previous years but the case will still pick up quite a bit of lint during normal use especially from jeans.

Yes, but for me also Beats case pick up lot of lint from my jeans 😞.