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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.
Zensō said:
dBrand is using a Supcase-style “copper rod” button. It’s not on par with the Apple/Spigen/Otterbox buttons.

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Is dbrand using the same button for the Grip and the Ghost 2?

dbrand describes the Ghost 2 button as:

"A responsive mechanical button, lined with capacitive copper rods, provides seamless operation of the camera control on your iPhone 16 Pro Max,"

dbrand describes the Grip button as:

"The Grip Case now features a capacitive touch-enabled Camera Control button. With a built-in PCB for localized touch actuation, it’s the most technologically advanced button we’ve ever made."

I'm inferring (perhaps incorrectly) that the Grip button might be a better button than the Ghost 2.0 button. Am I confused?
 
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Zensō said:
Arc Pulse in the house. Morbid curiosity got the best of me, I just had to give it a try. Now that I have it, I can’t decide yet if it’s genius or an abomination… lol.

Right off the bat, a few things I like: it’s light as a feather; it’s well-made, probably overpriced but not outrageous for something machined out of a block of alloy then polished to this level; full access to the phone is frickin’ amazing.

Things I may or may not get used to: it’s an unusual look, which I can’t get my head around quite yet; the bare phone is slippery, though the corners make it more comfortable than it would be otherwise; I’m guessing I’m going to get lots of comments about it when out in public, which I’m not looking forward to.

Unless I absolutely can’t stand it, I’m going to leave it on the phone for at least a week to get a good feel for it. I’ll report back on how it goes.

View attachment 2461229

View attachment 2461244

View attachment 2461254
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TL;DR - After a week of testing I’m sold on the Arc Pulse and will be using it as my daily driver.

Well, a week has passed, and as promised, I’m back with my report on the Arc Pulse (not that anyone was waiting for it…lol). To my surprise, it’s still on my phone and will likely be my daily driver for the foreseeable future. Here are a few more thoughts, all personal opinions, with the usual caveats.

Pros:
  • It’s light, like 18 grams light for the 16PM, which is less than even most super minimal aramid cases.
  • Arc supposedly drop tested this thing to 10 feet. That was on flat surfaces, but even so-called “military-grade” cases are only tested on flat surfaces, and usually only to 4-6 feet. Not bad for a metal bikini… lol.
  • It provides surprisingly ample lay-on-the-table protection, and it lays perfectly flat on its back like the Nomad Rugged and UAG Monarch.
  • Being all glass and metal makes this combo super easy to wipe clean (no more stubborn smudges and shiny areas that develop on many aramid and TPU cases).
  • Seeing and interacting with the phone directly is so much more enjoyable than with a full coverage case (this is reason number 1 for me).
  • No more cutout and CC button drama.
Cons:
  • The lack of full coverage makes the back and sides more vulnerable to damage. Dropping it in a field of boulders or a work environment with lots of debris around would not be good. Keep a Defender or Rebel around for those situations.
  • It’s more slippery than many TPU and silicone cases.
  • The polished metal bumpers start showing fine scratches fairly quickly (the matte black finish is reportedly more scratch resistant). Because they’re metal, you also have to be more aware of what kind of surface you’re setting it on.
  • Even though it’s lighter, it can feel more bulky than the thinnest aramid cases due to the beefy corners. This depends somewhat upon how you hold it.
  • It’s a polarizing design, but I’m slowly getting used to it. I think it’s acceptable because it’s so functional, but I’d prefer a more angular, less globular aesthetic. That said, I’ve always been a fan of machined metal parts on motorcycles, cameras, and other devices, and this case fits that preference. It’s definitely not for everyone though.
That’s all for now. 😊

DSCF3214.jpeg
 
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jetsam said:
Is dbrand using the same button for the Grip and the Ghost 2?

dbrand describes the Ghost 2 button as:

"A responsive mechanical button, lined with capacitive copper rods, provides seamless operation of the camera control on your iPhone 16 Pro Max,"

dbrand describes the Grip button as:

"The Grip Case now features a capacitive touch-enabled Camera Control button. With a built-in PCB for localized touch actuation, it’s the most technologically advanced button we’ve ever made."

I'm inferring (perhaps incorrectly) that the Grip button might be a better button than the Ghost 2.0 button. Am I confused?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. No, I don’t think you’re confused. It’s a bit baffling that dBrand would put a better button on one of their cases, while not putting it on the other, but that seems to be the situation.
 
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I’ve decided to buy such an Ali sticker with the lugs like Mouse uses. I’m going to try using it with the Caudabe Sheath. For 3 euro’s it’a a fun experiment. If it won’t work, then I will keep using the sticker with the gaps I already have.
 
While I’ve been generally happy with my Nomad modern leather case, I decided to try the Benks Armor Pro for something different. Got it about a week ago, and I do like the case, but it is a fingerprint magnet.

Any tips on keeping it fingerprint free, or at least reducing the number of fingerprints?

Yes, I do wash my hands often. I did try an automotive ceramic coating on it, and that didn’t help. Any other tips?

Thanks!
 
F308gt4 said:
While I’ve been generally happy with my Nomad modern leather case, I decided to try the Benks Armor Pro for something different. Got it about a week ago, and I do like the case, but it is a fingerprint magnet.

Any tips on keeping it fingerprint free, or at least reducing the number of fingerprints?

Yes, I do wash my hands often. I did try an automotive ceramic coating on it, and that didn’t help. Any other tips?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
…only solution
IMG_0226.jpeg
 
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Zensō said:
TL;DR - After a week of testing I’m sold on the Arc Pulse and will be using it as my daily driver.

Well, a week has passed, and as promised, I’m back with my report on the Arc Pulse (not that anyone was waiting for it…lol). To my surprise, it’s still on my phone and will likely be my daily driver for the foreseeable future. Here are a few more thoughts, all personal opinions, with the usual caveats.

Pros:
  • It’s light, like 18 grams light for the 16PM, which is less than even most super minimal aramid cases.
  • Arc supposedly drop tested this thing to 10 feet. That was on flat surfaces, but even so-called “military-grade” cases are only tested on flat surfaces, and usually only to 4-6 feet. Not bad for a metal bikini… lol.
  • It provides surprisingly ample lay-on-the-table protection, and it lays perfectly flat on its back like the Nomad Rugged and UAG Monarch.
  • Being all glass and metal, this combo makes the phone super easy to wipe clean (no more stubborn smudges and shiny areas that develop on many aramid and TPU cases).
  • Seeing and interacting with the phone directly is so much more enjoyable than with a full coverage case (this is number 1 for me).
Cons:
  • The lack of full coverage makes the back and sides more vulnerable to damage. Dropping it in a field of boulders or a work environment with lots of debris around would not be good. Keep a Defender or Rebel around for those situations.
  • It’s more slippery than many TPU and silicone cases.
  • The polished metal bumpers start showing fine scratches fairly quickly (the matte black finish is reportedly more scratch resistant). Because they’re metal, you also have to be more aware of what kind of surface you’re setting it on.
  • Even though it’s lighter, it can feel more bulky than the thinnest aramid cases due to the beefy corners. This depends somewhat upon how you hold it.
  • It’s a polarizing design, but I’m slowly getting used to it. I think it’s acceptable because it’s so functional, but I’d prefer a more angular, less globular aesthetic. That said, I’ve always been a fan of machined metal parts on motorcycles, cameras, and other devices, and this case fits that preference. It’s definitely not for everyone though.
That’s all for now. 😊

View attachment 2463695
Click to expand...
Nice catches! I have almost same experiences.
About scratching - no need to worry. I already get replacement for my badly scratched Arc Pulse -
https://twitter.com/x/status/1823351358453367129
 
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DennisdeWit said:
I’ve decided to buy such an Ali sticker with the lugs like Mouse uses. I’m going to try using it with the Caudabe Sheath. For 3 euro’s it’a a fun experiment. If it won’t work, then I will keep using the sticker with the gaps I already have.
Click to expand...

Tried it with multiple other cases and it works but the side of the case bulges due to the lugs. Also the surrounding silicone causes friction that stops swiping being smooth. Not useable for me.
 
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On a side note, I ordered a variety of camera buttons on Ali express to see how they fit but I unknowingly clicked the “order received” button. I can’t get ahold of the seller to tell them about the issue. Now I’m wondering if I’ll ever get them shipped. Has this happened to anyone?
 
aj11fan said:
On a side note, I ordered a variety of camera buttons on Ali express to see how they fit but I unknowingly clicked the “order received” button. I can’t get ahold of the seller to tell them about the issue. Now I’m wondering if I’ll ever get them shipped. Has this happened to anyone?
Click to expand...
I’ve only even been able to click order received after they’ve been shipped.

Have yours not shipped?
 
iFone88 said:
I’ve only even been able to click order received after they’ve been shipped.

Have yours not shipped?
Click to expand...
There’s a tab says “track order” but it takes me to the app and I can’t access my order in the app since I ordered through the browser. I’m guessing it’s been shipped. Maybe it’s night in Asia and the seller is asleep; that’s my guess why I can’t find the seller.

Edit: so I got an Ali express email about my orders. I made 3. I got shipping confirmation for 2. The one that I “received order” it’s asking me to review my order. Smh. Why is this harder than it should be?
 
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DennisdeWit said:
I’ve decided to buy such an Ali sticker with the lugs like Mouse uses. I’m going to try using it with the Caudabe Sheath. For 3 euro’s it’a a fun experiment. If it won’t work, then I will keep using the sticker with the gaps I already have.
Click to expand...
So. I thought it was the right button I have ordered. Turns out I ordered it at the wrong store. They have sent me a super bad button, totally not what they advertised. It is just some cheap sillicone stuff that you have to somehow stick with a bad adhesive layer to your case. As soon as you touch it, it falls off. Some other people got the same button today and left a negative review, too. I have ordered the right ones now. Gotta say, with the button that keeps falling off, it looked wonderful on the Caudabe Sheath. Nit giving up, yet!
 
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