Beats Cases for iPhone 16: The Best New iPhone Cases?
One of the more surprising parts of this iPhone season was Beats cases for the iPhone 16 line. As far as I know, it’s the first time an Apple subsidiary has sold its own iPhone cases, and they’re actually really good.
For years Apple sold a clear, a silicone and a leather case. In 2023 it replaced leather with FineWoven, which was seriously panned: it scratches easily and gets dirty, gross and sometimes even a little moldy. It’s no surprise Apple dropped it, but I’m surprised it didn’t bring back leather or some other premium case. Fortunately, there are these Beats cases.
Design
They’re a shiny plastic with a candy-shell look, in Midnight Black, Summit Stone, Riptide Blue and Sunset Purple. Inside is a microfiber lining in a contrasting color, which also peeks out on the outside for a pop of color. On the back, a circle and a dash mark where the MagSafe magnets are. Some people don’t like it, but I think it’s an interesting detail you won’t find on other cases.
The buttons are coated in the same material and feel solid and tactile, with no squishiness or wobble. There’s a sapphire cover for Camera Control, which works just as well as the regular Camera Control does (meh, in my opinion).
Protection
Moderate. I’ve used one daily on my 16 Pro Max for a few weeks and dropped it a couple of times (not on cement) with no damage. There’s a lip above the display, even with my screen protector, and a lip around the camera bump.
It’s an open-bottom design. Some people like that for swiping up from the bottom of the screen; others hate leaving that part of the iPhone unprotected. It does make it easier to plug in cables and accessories.
CalDigit sponsored this video, with its Thunderbolt 4 Pro cables, which are designed to fit through case cutouts.
Grip and pocketability
The magnets are decent. But what matters most in a case is how it feels and how it goes in and out of your pocket, and after a month I can honestly say this is one of the best I’ve used.
I’ve liked Apple’s silicone cases because they sit snugly and never feel like they’ll fly out of my hand. The Beats case is similar: not as tactile as silicone, but the glossy coating has enough natural grip that I never worry. And it slides in and out of my pocket way better than silicone, and as well as or maybe better than Apple’s leather cases. The only downside is that it can slide on some surfaces, more than silicone but about as much as leather.
Two and a half issues
- The open bottom leaves the iPhone vulnerable if you drop it a certain way. Some people just won’t like that.
- Fingerprints. Because they’re shiny, in the right light you’ll see smudges everywhere. You can wipe them on your shirt, but they come right back. It’s more noticeable on Midnight Black and Sunset Purple; Riptide Blue and Summit Stone hide it better.
- Half an issue: more colors, please. Reds, yellows, greens, really dark and lighter shades. Hopefully they do well enough that Apple brings them back.
Honestly, these are about the best overall day-to-day iPhone cases I’ve ever used. They protect the iPhone, feel good in my hand, and slide easily in and out of my pocket. What else could you ask for?
Links
- CalDigit’s new Thunderbolt 4 Pro cables (Sponsored)
- 16 Pro Max
- 16 Pro
- 16
- 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Full setup and Migration
- CalDigit is my dock partner
- https://www.threads.net/@jerryschulzeonyt
- My iPhone Art
- Grovemade Desk Mat and Knife (save 10% JERRY10)
- UNLIMITED Cloud Backup for your Mac with Backblaze
In this video
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