Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Status
The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
Man I wish I could do a voice chat room to talk about this because it’s such an interesting convo. Yeah it’s going to be interesting and I think people will back down a little once they get the phone in hand because I don’t think it’s going to be that bad.
Yeah we're going to know SO much more about whether this is an issue in just a few days. It's going to be fascinating because we've just not had this much of a functional difference in an iPhone model for quite some time, though (as I've said ad naueum at this point), there shouldn't be anything new about this (cases covering capacitive buttons) in the grand scheme of things since Androids have had such a button for quite some time as I understand it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zensō
It would be interesting to see sales figure for the Apple Silicone this year compared to years past. I bet some of the third-party manufacturers will eventually be motivated to update their cases due to poor sales.
Does the everyday consumer really care that much? I doubt it. They may eventually be motivated, but they might also just wait until the 17 series having a year with the button in hand to really test out the feedback on the button with various designs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: richxps and mikext
Have to think about it that way from a business standpoint. Can’t take the risk and the button not work the way it’s intended and have dead inventory. This is nothing like the action button. They were thinking is going to be capacitive only, not an actually button also. Little more tricky. Might make a follow up video talking about all of this.

Yeah, there's nothing simple about this situation. Can't even make the "safe" bet of waiting for the announcement before going to production because then others will beat you to market.

Hopefully we see some of the more premium brands coming up with some solution for that button down the road. I don't see the lower end of the market switching away from cutouts.

Moreover, we might see a larger than average caseless crowd if the cutouts end up not being bad UX. We'll just have to wait and see.
 
  • Like
Reactions: julit0 and Zensō
It would be interesting to see sales figure for the Apple Silicone this year compared to years past. I bet some of the third-party manufacturers will eventually be motivated to update their cases due to poor sales.

I sent an email to mous, pitaka, benks, rebel and esr to know if there will be any revision on any iphone 16 case. If we push companies by our emails, they may have to make revision :)
 
Exactly. These holes are either going to be a seamless use of the button or we'll have button (case?) gate going on.
The only downside to the cutout is if they didn't make the depth correctly that either makes it hard to interact with OR if its too shallow inadvertently getting pressed while gripping the phone. Other than that, it will work just fine whether people want to hear it or not.
 
Exactly. These holes are either going to be a seamless use of the button or we'll have button (case?) gate going on.
Yep, I have a feeling the cheap Amazon cases that a lot of people get are not going to have a cutout that allows for very good use of the button. There is just so much variation in case quality in the market, it's gonna be a mixed bag. I have an Apple Silicone case coming and a Bullstrap with the cutout. We shall see if both are usable.
 
I sent an email to mous, pitaka, benks, rebel and esr to know if there will be any revision on any iphone 16 case. If we push companies by our emails, they may have to make revision :)

Not sure you'll get a firm answer. Bad idea from a business perspective to say out loud "yes, we have a better product on the way" because then your customers will wait for that. No one wants to be stuck with dead inventory.

Sorta why Nintendo hasn't said anything about a new Switch. They have to sell all the current ones first; they don't want new customers waiting for the new one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BM35
Yep, I have a feeling the cheap Amazon cases that a lot of people get are not going to have a cutout that allows for very good use of the button. There is just so much variation in case quality in the market, it's gonna be a mixed bag. I have an Apple Silicone case coming and a Bullstrap with the cutout. We shall see if both are usable.
I have high hopes for the Bullstrap as I primarily use leather. It looks from their pictures they did a good job on it cosmetically, but time will tell.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CrispAppleNerd
I have high hopes for the Bullstrap as I primarily use leather. It looks from their pictures they did a good job on it cosmetically, but time will tell.
Yeah, I have been a dedicated Apple leather case user since the release on the iPhone 5 or 5s, but I have dabbled with BS in the past with pretty good experiences. I agree their cutout looks good. Hopefully it's a winner and I dont have leather case shop anymore. Other than getting the Luckycoin because of all the great reviews.
 
Exactly. These holes are either going to be a seamless use of the button or we'll have button (case?) gate going on.
Well what people don’t know is that even though it’s a cutouts, companies spent a lot of time designing the cutout to be as comfortable as possibly. One brand told me they went through 15 or more revisions of the cutout but they perfected it. So it will be curious to see how they all are once we get the phone.
 
Well what people don’t know is that even though it’s a cutouts, companies spent a lot of time designing the cutout to be as comfortable as possibly. One brand told me they went through 15 or more revisions of the cutout but they perfected it. So it will be curious to see how they all are once we get the phone.
But they didn't have the actual iPhone in hand to test, so they may be comfortable but the function might be off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ikjadoon
Well what people don’t know is that even though it’s a cutouts, companies spent a lot of time designing the cutout to be as comfortable as possibly. One brand told me they went through 15 or more revisions of the cutout but they perfected it. So it will be curious to see how they all are once we get the phone.
I wouldn't expect any less so what's also fascinating is that they apparently (even within the same brand, like Nomad) landed on two different approaches via either that massive cutout that includes the front edge of the case or the more tailored, beveled hole that solely opens up around the CC button itself. Which will win? Will either??
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zensō
Yeah at this point it’s a bunch of idk and I just don’t want the narrative to say this design and that design is lazy. Now some do look a little exaggerated but let’s just get the cases and phone in hand and talk about from there.

But there is also a large amount of people who could care less because majority of people aren’t going to use that button.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tcdav26
I ordered the Spigen clear MagSafe case, but I am going to return it and I've just ordered the Apple Clear case. I think the cutout for the camera control will be annoying so much rather just pay a premium for something that (should) work how it's intended. I'd love to go cashless but honestly I don't trust myself putting it down in the gym etc.
I had ordered and had delivered an ESR clear case like the one I’m currently using with my 15 Pro Max but I’m also concerned about the cutout used by the third party cases. I’m going to probably return it. The Spigen Ultra Hybrid T MagSafe case that has the cover is listed on Amazon but is currently out of stock but I’ve preordered it.

However I’m not sure how well it’s going to work. I’ve always been reluctant to buy the official Apple cases as I feel they’re overpriced but I’ve just preordered the clear one as I’m sure the camera button will work fine with it. I’ll try both the Apple and Spigen ones and see how they are once I get them and hopefully returning one for a refund if I can.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
  • Like
Reactions: wickedrm
Yeah at this point it’s a bunch of idk and I just don’t want the narrative to say this design and that design is lazy. Now some do look a little exaggerated but let’s just get the cases and phone in hand and talk about from there.

But there is also a large amount of people who could care less because majority of people aren’t going to use that button.
Oh yes, true. Adoption rate could indeed be low.
 
Not sure you'll get a firm answer. Bad idea from a business perspective to say out loud "yes, we have a better product on the way" because then your customers will wait for that. No one wants to be stuck with dead inventory.

Sorta why Nintendo hasn't said anything about a new Switch. They have to sell all the current ones first; they don't want new customers waiting for the new one.

It's just a hope :)

Also i dont understand why only spigen, ottorbox and supcase could put these button some of their cases. Werent the other companies know button functions or havent enough technology or does it cost too much?
 
Last edited:
One brand told me they went through 15 or more revisions of the cutout but they perfected it.
Perfected for whom is the question. Fingertip sizes vary quite a lot, so it seems unlikely the same cutout will work equally well for everyone. I suppose the huge cutouts as seen on the Mous Limitless and Otterbox Defender are the safest bet, but boy are they ugly.

Assuming a functional design, the solution is clearly a capacitive button cover…
 
  • Like
Reactions: Boardiesboi
Couple beaters in today. The see thru Gripzilla is definitely not matte, it's clear but the quality seems top notch. The second beater is the Spigen Ultra Hybrid in frosted. Welcome to the HOLE :rolleyes: Here are a couple quick pics:

cz01.jpg
cz04.jpg
hb01.jpg
hb02.jpg
 
Amazon has the official Apple 16 cases for $41.99 for Limited time sale.

16 Pro Max: https://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPhone-Silicone-MagSafe-Control/dp/B0DGHLFC4M
16 Pro: https://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPhone-MagSafe-Camera-Control/dp/B0DGHH7S34
16: https://www.amazon.com/Apple-iPhone-Silicone-MagSafe-Control/dp/B0DGHBV93Q

I decided to purchase one because the official case should work seamlessly with the new camera control function. Worth buying until other companies figure out the button themselves.

Edit: Added a link
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I had ordered and had delivered an ESR clear case like the one I’m currently using with my 15 Pro Max but I’m also concerned about the cutout used by the third party cases. I’m going to probably return it. The Spigen Ultra Hybrid T MagSafe case that has the cover is listed on Amazon but is currently out of stock but I’ve preordered it.

However I’m not sure how well it’s going to work. I’ve always been reluctant to buy the official Apple cases as I feel they’re overpriced but I’ve just preordered the clear one as I’m sure the camera button will work fine with it. I’ll try both the Apple and Spigen ones and see how they are once I get them and hopefully returning one for a refund if I can.
Is it this case : https://amzn.eu/d/g62K483 ?
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.