In this video, I check out a case that’s been heavily promoted on social media – at an extortionate price. I looked on AliExpress and bought one for just $3.66 / £2.27 with 7-day delivery. If you would like to try these yourself, support the site by clicking here .
As it was so cheap, I thought I’d give this case a try. They are available for older iPhones also, yet it is only since the release of the iPhone 15 series that I have seen these cases heavily promoted by sellers on social media – but for $20-$30 each! Avoid those, this is going to be just the same at a fraction of the price.
The TPU plastic is nice, it doesn’t catch fluff like silicone will do, so that’s a bonus. There is some clear protection to each corner of the iPhone, and there is a lip on the screen side, but it is very small, so I recommend that you also buy a 9H-glass screen protector.
On the back, there is a large camera bump protector, which also has glass protection over each of the lenses on the 15 Pro. The protection with this glass does make it a little extra bulky up top. The downside of this is that when placing the iPhone onto a large flat charging plate, the bump will position the centre (where the MagSafe is) a little too high and this can prevent the phone from charging wirelessly.
This is less of a problem if you use a smaller MagSafe charging disc or desktop stand that just connects to the MagSafe area of the phone and doesn’t go near the camera bump that would move it further away.
Just after using this minimalist bumper case for 24 hours, I noticed that at times you can catch the bottom bumper as you pull it out from a jean pocket, but the adhesive holds firm onto the phone and I hope it lasts well enough to stay attached to it.
It’s nice to hold the iPhone 15 Pro at its thinnest and the ridge of the bottom bumper has a slight lip on the back which makes for a good finger rest.
The bottom edge of the camera bump cover had started to lift (update: 48hrs on it hasn’t lifted back up). It might be due to it not being stuck down properly or by catching it when removed from pockets. But this bump is large! It could have been slimmer and still be as protective. With it being attached to the top bumper, it makes it hold itself better onto the iPhone than the bottom, which hasn’t detached, yet.
A screen protector is definitely recommended. I have the Elago protector installed currently, but it has harsh square edges, which is not great, so I recommend a round-edge protector. I have a review coming for the Benks rounded protector soon.
So if you’re looking for a minimal bumper case, then this is as minimal as it gets – without not having any protection at all. For what it’s selling for on social media ($20-30), I would say it isn’t worth it, but, for £4, it’s worth a punt to see if you like it – like I did.
Save yourself a ton of money and to get it off AliExpress for a whole lot cheaper. You’re welcome. 🙂
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Brief overview
2:01 – Unboxing
2:32 – Installation
4:26 – My Impressions
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