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iPhone 16/Plus/Pro/Pro Max cases [MERGED]

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
anthony131 said:
I'm looking for a minimal iPhone 16 case to prevent wobbling on a desk due to the camera bump. That's approximately the thickness of 15 index cards / 3.5mm.

I really, really hate this gigantic camera bumping phone 🤬
Click to expand...
Minimal and compensating for the camera bump may be a little contradictory - but the best case I have found for making it flat on a table when sitting camera side down is a Quadlock case. I use it mainly for mounting to my motorcycle (pictured below is not my bike - it's from their site). It's a bit beefy though, but not so much as the Spigen Tough Armor by any means.

The camera guard on the quadlock is flared more to the top / outer corner, and flatter to the case towards the middle (both transverse and longitudinally) - which really makes it nice and stable. They have their own line of Magnetic charging and I haven't been able to wireless charge using standard Apple Magsafe chargers - but I don't like charging wirelessly anyways. Maybe you can see it from their website picture - if you want, I can take better pictures of mine when I'm home from work. The CC area is a hole (not a covered button / not a cutout).

They do offer a Military / First Responder discount in the US, just have to chat with them and provide proof of service. If you do go this route, get the magnetic one as the locking ring area is perfectly flat on this case. Their non-mag one has a little outer flare going on, not quite flat.

Edit: Found two pics on my phone that may help too.
IMG_0056.jpeg
IMG_0057.jpeg
 

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chillip said:
How’s the feel and grip?
Click to expand...

The case has a real good feel, same feel as the Apple silicone. The only con is the little spine near the camera button is very soft feeling, not very noticeable when the phone is in the case. Would I buy this case again, No and it's not worth $60. Just my opinion.
 
I just received my Spigen Tough Armor T. And first impressions are favorable.

I am a klutz, and I need the protection of a case this bulky and heavy. So far I haven't dropped my new 16PM, but the day is coming! Safely encased in the Tough Armor, I am hopeful that I will be able to pick up the phone after a fall and find it completely undamaged.

Other pros:
  1. I like the camera button cover. It works great.
  2. I like the fact that the kickstand is only half the thickness of the case so, when opened, it does not expose the phone.
  3. I like the knurling on the action button cover.
  4. The thickness of the case almost completely removes the wobble of the camera bump when the phone is placed back down on a flat surface. That was a real annoyance with the Apple Silicone case.
Negatives:
  1. The case is heavy and bulky (yes, that's a pro and a con).
  2. The button covers are too flush. They're a little difficult to find by feel.
  3. The case is a little slick.
I think I will keep this case, but it may not end up being my daily driver. I have the Ultra Hybrid on order, which I just got a ship notice for. I'll see what I think of that one.

My ideal case would still be a Caudabe Sheath with a camera button cover. I hope Caudabe change their minds and add a camera button cover to the Sheath.

Ironically (or perhaps just amusingly), I am reminded of the situation with cases when I got my 12 Pro. That was the first year of MagSafe, and it was hard to find a case that worked well, if at all, with MagSafe. Eventually case makers got the message, and now a case without MagSafe is hard to find.


Edited to add Pro #4.
 
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darrinS said:
i bought the case cause i thought your photos of it previously looked great. its a nice case but provides little to no screen protection. i have the esr screen protector like you i believe and its pretty much flush with it.
Click to expand...
Have you used the case much?
 
thatappleguytoday said:
Hooter what screen protector you using on the Ultra? Looks great
Click to expand...

It's actually a cheapo pack of 3 for $7.99 with 10% off coupon here:

www.amazon.com

Smiling 3 Pack Tempered Glass Screen Protector with Auto-alignment Installation Frame Compatible with Apple Watch Ultra 2(2024,2023)/Ultra 49mm, Waterproof HD Screen Protector for iWatch Ultra 2

Smiling 3 Pack Tempered Glass Screen Protector with Auto-alignment Installation Frame Compatible with Apple Watch Ultra 2(2024,2023)/Ultra 49mm, Waterproof HD Screen Protector for iWatch Ultra 2
www.amazon.com

I had the expensive UAG one and got a piece of junk under it when installing it :( had this cheap 3 pack and it went on perfect. Also have the Spigen 2 pack as a back up but kind of hesitant to pull this one off as it's on pretty much perfect.

Here's a couple pics of these 3 different protectors on a piece of paper that I screwed up trying to install:

Cheapo in the middle

sp01.jpg
sp02.jpg
 
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Hooterville said:
It's actually a cheapo pack of 3 for $7.99 with 10% off coupon here:

www.amazon.com

Smiling 3 Pack Tempered Glass Screen Protector with Auto-alignment Installation Frame Compatible with Apple Watch Ultra 2(2024,2023)/Ultra 49mm, Waterproof HD Screen Protector for iWatch Ultra 2

Smiling 3 Pack Tempered Glass Screen Protector with Auto-alignment Installation Frame Compatible with Apple Watch Ultra 2(2024,2023)/Ultra 49mm, Waterproof HD Screen Protector for iWatch Ultra 2
www.amazon.com

I had the expensive UAG one and got a piece of junk under it when installing it :( had this cheap 3 pack and it went on perfect. Also have the Spigen 2 pack as a back up but kind of hesitant to pull this one off as it's on pretty much perfect.

Here's a couple pics of these 3 different protectors on a piece of paper that I screwed up trying to install:

Cheapo in the middle

View attachment 2437850View attachment 2437851
Click to expand...

Thanks for the intel. Yea I’d leave it on too haha so I understand the hesitation lol

You’ll rip that one off and then have bubbles on anything else you try
 
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Hooterville said:
I quit the greasy black Apple silicone for now :oops: back in the Caudabe sheath. I always seem to end up in the Sheath or Synthesis after trying a bunch of subpar cases.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the finish started out better than in years past, but after a few weeks it’s turning into vintage silicone.

If Caudabe does a Sheath/Synthesis with a CC button that would be a no-brainer.

I’m actually liking the Pitaka Tactile Woven quite a lot. So far there’s basically zero fingerprints on the case itself. With so little protection I still feel a little uncomfortable, but I’m slowly getting used to the nearly-naked feeling. Do you ever use these ultra-thin cases?
 
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thatappleguytoday said:
I mean slim and lightweight are two completely different things lol
Click to expand...
When it comes to phone cases and most tech, I don't see much of a difference between the two. Generally if something is "slim" it is also lightweight, but you have your opinion, I have mine :)
 
shady16 said:
Phone rebel flex with black 16PM
Click to expand...
I got my frosted flex today and have issues with magsafe charging not working.
any similar issues with yours?
phone just doesn't magsafe charge with the case on. maybe a magnet ring alignment issue
 
thatappleguytoday said:
I agree. i wished companies could make these cases feel more lightweight like the Apple sili case.
Click to expand...
100% with you. I want to use the phone without a case, but micro scratches would drive me up the wall, plus there is always the chance of dropping the phone, so I settle on the Apple sili since it does a pretty good job at keeping the form factor of the phone.

Edit: Hope you're doing well, friend. Always good to see you around here.
 
F23 said:
I got my frosted flex today and have issues with magsafe charging not working.
any similar issues with yours?
phone just doesn't magsafe charge with the case on. maybe a magnet ring alignment issue
Click to expand...

My frosty has zero issues. Get it replaced for sure.

Djones96 said:
100% with you. I want to use the phone without a case, but micro scratches would drive me up the wall, plus there is always the chance of dropping the phone, so I settle on the Apple sili since it does a pretty good job at keeping the form factor of the phone.

Edit: Hope you're doing well, friend. Always good to see you around here.
Click to expand...

‘Same but knowing me day one of caseless and I’ll be sending the phone down the driveway lol … good to see you too bro, I enjoy stopping by from time to time. I didn’t go all crazy on cases this year as I’m sitting on a stockpile of 15 PM cases without a family now lol

I got all the PR cases
Stone Gray Apple sili
A black Ryan London and Spigen Clear T on the way and tharll be all for now
 
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Hooterville said:
I quit the greasy black Apple silicone for now :oops: back in the Caudabe sheath. I always seem to end up in the Sheath or Synthesis after trying a bunch of subpar cases.
Click to expand...
You and me both. I admit I broke down and picked up an Apple Silicone case last week to see what the fuss was about. Greasy is right. I was not previously a fan and I’m not a fan now. They also haven’t fixed the dust problem.

It’s going back to Apple this week as soon as I find the time. Meanwhile, I’m back with old faithful (the Sheath) and am happy. I’ve been using the camera button a lot and it’s been fine so the cutout controversy is also overblown in my humble opinion.
 
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