iPhone: The Best Silicone Cases for SE, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 Series
Updated: Oct 22
After 3 years of good and loyal service and extremely intensive use, the silicone case from Apple for my iPhone 12 Pro Max has decided to give up the ghost. Not without warning signs, as this highly effective protection had been slowly deteriorating for the past few weeks.
Far be it from me to complain, considering all I put it through during my photo shootings! So, I decide to tear it apart, ripping it into shreds to see what these accessories are made of. Anyway, no problem, as I'll go buy a new one the day after tomorrow at my favorite Apple Store in Geneva (yes, in Switzerland).
Once the satisfaction of cutting up this old case, which cost a fortune when I bought it, had passed, I found myself on my way to the Apple Store. In my pocket, there's an iPhone 12 Pro Max that slips from my grasp every time I pick it up, eagerly anticipating its new attire.
I head straight for the accessories section (to avoid spending an hour with the latest MacBooks). To my surprise, I discovered that the iPhone 12 had been relegated to ancient status. There are no more Apple-branded accessories for this model in this Apple Store. The friendly blue-shirted staff members confirm my concern:
"We no longer sell cases for iPhone 12, sir."
While kindly suggesting that I look in accessory stores for phones. I hadn't thought of that at all... thank you.
Before drowning my despair in a green tea at the corner café (No, I don't drink coffee), I decide to head to FNAC, not far from there. No better, same observation, my iPhone 12 Pro Max is an antique. If I want an Apple case with a pretty apple on the back, I'll have to buy a new iPhone 13 or 14.
But, as I write these lines, something tells me that Tim Cook will announce some very good news during his Keynote on September 12, 2023, just a few days away. With, it's certain, the arrival of a new iPhone 15 that will revolutionize mobile photography and infuriate recent iPhone 14 buyers.
As soon as I got home, I decided to take revenge and headed to Amazon. After a few minutes of market research, I set my sights on a Made in China (no problem for me) silicone case from the ORNATO brand. The description looked promising, and the various available colors seemed tasteful. Although I'll stick to the simplicity I'm used to: it'll be a black case.
After receiving a request from the seller to confirm the phone model, I received my precious protection in the mailbox 2 days later (yes, you have to subscribe to Prime).
The second shock of this beautiful adventure... Magnificent! This ORNATO silicone case fits the phone perfectly, just like the original Apple cases. I check the back, just to make sure there isn't an Apple logo that I might have missed. Nothing at all, it's indeed a case from a competing brand. It makes you wonder if ORNATO isn't Apple's official supplier.
The silky touch, the grip in hand and pocket, the cutouts for the lenses, and the notches for the buttons are perfect! You couldn't ask for anything better.
As for the price: 14.99€. That's nearly 3 times cheaper than the Apple model.
Three days later, I order the same one (in white) for my wife's iPhone 11. No surprises, same quality, same finish, regardless of the phone model.
And, to conclude, while preparing this article, I realize that these ORNATO cases are also available for Samsung and Huawei phones. For those interested.
At this price, it's a shame to miss out on a new protection. Classy!
Check out the ORNATO online store for all available models and colors.
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