Hands on with Apple's silicone cases for iPhone 16

Posted:
in iPhone edited September 13

Apple's new silicone cases for iPhone 16 come in eight colors and feature a unique covering for the new camera control button. Here's what they look like, and how they work.

Two hands fanning out th colorful array of Apple silicone cases for iPhone 16
Apple's new iPhone 16 case lineup



Apple's usual case strategy has been to release three tiers of cases. Prior to FineWoven, every year, Apple released a clear case, a more affordable silicone case, and a luxury leather option.

With the iPhone 15 series, Apple flipped the script. It instead opted to discontinue leather in pursuit of its environmental goals. In its stead was a new premium material it called FineWoven.



This was an unmitigated disaster, leading to scores of marred cases on the walls of Apple Stores and a warning going up on Amazon to inform users that FineWoven cases were a frequently-returned item.

The rumors suggested that Apple was going to end its FineWoven experiment, so it came as no surprise when there was no mention of it during the Glowtime event.

What was a little surprising is that there was no replacement announced. This year, Apple offers only its clear case and its array of silicone cases.

A stack of colorful silicone iPhone cases next to a dummy iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple's silicone lineup of cases is available for all four models



So we picked up Apple's whole line of silicone cases, which feature a new sapphire button, to try them out.

Hands on with Apple's iPhone 16 silicone cases



We purchased all eight silicone cases for the iPhone 16 Pro. This year, the colors are black, Stone Gray, Lake Green, denim, ultramarine, fuchsia, plum, and star fruit.

Apple's silicone cases laid down on a white table to show all the colors
The colorful new lineup of case options



It's a fairly colorful lineup from Apple that has both muted earth tones as well as vibrant options. It's probably good because it has to match well with the aluminum base models as well as the titanium pro models.

Holding a dark green iPhone case showing the soft microfiber lining
Each case has a soft microfiber lining



This year, the cases use 55 percent recycled silicone for the outside and have a soft color-matched microfiber lining. The buttons on the side are also silicone like years past.

Apple's silicone case attached to a MagSafe stand
You can use any MagSafe accessory with Apple's cases, including magnetic charging stands



They support MagSafe, as indicated but the ring stamped into the inside. That means they'll work with any MagSafe or Qi2 accessories such as a battery pack, wallet, or charging stand.

The camera control button on the silicone cases is color-matched out of sapphire
Color-matched sapphire covers the camera control button



What's is new this year is the camera control. This new button located on the right edge of all four iPhone 16 models is unique.

It's capacitive, meaning it cannot be covered like all the other buttons. At least, not with normal materials.

The inside of the case showing the conductive material on the underside of the camera control button
There is a conductive material under the sapphire button



Instead, Apple used a piece of sapphire crystal on top of a conductive layer to pass touches and gestures to the button below.

That means it retains all of its functionality, including the half-press and swipes. So far, very few third-party cases have decided to go this route prior to seeing the phones.

It's likely we'll see many cases be updated throughout the year, similar to how case manufacturers scrambled to add a covered Action Button with the iPhone 15 Pro.

Some of us here at AppleInsider aren't massive fans of silicone cases. Whether from Apple or third parties, they seem to attract lint or pet hair easily.

A stack of phone cases against a white and pink background
Apple has eight colors to choose from for its silicone cases



Plus, while they add grip, it can make them harder to slip out of your bag or pocket. Plastic, wood, and other materials have typically fared better for us.

If you're okay with silicone, Apple's cases seem good as any. They're not too bulky, colorful, and one of the few with camera control coverage.

Where to buy Apple silicone cases for iPhone 16



You can pick up the new Apple silicone cases on Amazon for $49.



Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    I like the look of them and the insides are nice, my problem is that the material feels just as slippery as a bare iPhone and the silicone material Apple uses disintegrates rapidly particular given the egregious price they cost. I used to buy Apple's leather cases that, while pricey, wore quite nicely. I got burned by their FineWoven case last year on my wife's iPhone, so not going that route again this time either. I just bought a Speck Presidio2 Grip case w/ MagSafe came out to $37 w/ easily Google-able coupon code... And I will pick up a stack of spares next year for $5-6 a pop on Woot when the 17 comes out lol.
  • Reply 2 of 7
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,411member
    kdupuis77 said:
    I like the look of them and the insides are nice, my problem is that the material feels just as slippery as a bare iPhone and the silicone material Apple uses disintegrates rapidly particular given the egregious price they cost. I used to buy Apple's leather cases that, while pricey, wore quite nicely. I got burned by their FineWoven case last year on my wife's iPhone, so not going that route again this time either. I just bought a Speck Presidio2 Grip case w/ MagSafe came out to $37 w/ easily Google-able coupon code... And I will pick up a stack of spares next year for $5-6 a pop on Woot when the 17 comes out lol.


    Funny. My wife had silicon case on a phone once and I found the silicon to "grippy" to easily slide into my pocket on those occasions where she asked me to hold her phone. LOL. The leather case was perfect for me. Ordered a clear case with my new phone for now. On the hunt for a leather case that I like. Nice quality, but not overly bulky.

  • Reply 3 of 7
    After an "initial shock" I started to like the Fine Woven Cases - so I am going to miss them ...

    Silicon just doesn't feel the same way - it is a little bit "too grippy" for me

  • Reply 4 of 7
    I’ve previously found Apple silicone cases to be a useful choice. And there’s some colors this year that look like they’ve got potential. I’ll give them a look in person to decide. 
    zeus423
  • Reply 5 of 7
    I miss the discontinued Apple leather cases. The feel and durability was just right. Without that option I’ve now always searched for 3rd party cases that allow the phone to lay flat. Those camera bumps have been ridiculous for a while now.
    mike1
  • Reply 6 of 7
    But no mention of the Beats polycarbonate cases?
  • Reply 7 of 7
    neilmneilm Posts: 995member
    I have my iPhone XS with its black leather case in front of me, and after all these years it still looks really good. Functionally it has just the right amount of friction not to slip off a couch cushion, yet it slides easily into my pocket.

    Apple, your leather case was never broken — why oh why did you try to 'fix' it? (And so ineptly at that...)


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