Apple's Controversial Cases
Apple has produced some of the most iconic products of the past two decades, but some of their accessories have also been quite divisive.
Apple's product design has been on point for decades, with the iPod & iPhone being two of the most iconic tech products of the past two decades. Alongside their flagship devices, Apple has often released a range of first-party accessories to protect and add personality to them. But while their products are on fleek, some of their cases have been decidedly mid. I ruffled a few feathers posting a couple collages featuring some of Apple's cases over the years and wanted to expand that post into a Top-10 of Apple's most controversial cases.
Disclosure: Before some of you grab your pitchforks, note that I own & love most of these cases (not looking at you iPhone 12 MagSafe Sleeve). I write controversial because these products spurred strong emotions from the Apple community upon their release, whether because of their price, functionality, or design.
10. iPod Socks
iPod Socks came in a pack that included Blue, Green, Grey, Yellow, Pink, & Purple socks. Images: Apple.
I'd like to get this one out of the way early. iPod Socks were released in 2004 as a "revolutionary new product for your iPod." Sold in packs of six, iPod Socks were knitted socks designed for your iPod to slip into. They are one of the most delightful and charming products Apple has ever released.
I have bought and lost at least a half dozen packs of these socks.
So why are these on the controversial list? For one, charging $30 ($47.13 adjusting for inflation) for a pack of socks resulted in some people claiming that the Socks were wildly overpriced. Second, because the iPod slipped into the sock, it completely obscured the screen and Scroll/Click-Wheel from being seen and operated. Each time you wanted to change a song, you needed to slide the iPod out and back into the sock. Finally, the iPod Socks provided minimal protection from drops or dust, and some found that the material scratched their iPods' polished stainless steel backing.
A few spicy takes about the iPod Socks:
"I think the socks are even more overpriced than the new leather ipod case.."
"My God I can't believe lint scratches the ipod. Jeebus apple get you ish together man!"
"a few gripes:
- they can scratch the iPod,
- the offer no accessibility to controls
- they are grossly overpriced"
So, despite the fervent fanbase (of which I am part) thinking that the iPod Socks were the greatest Apple product of all time (they are!), they begin the list as being one of Apple's most controversial cases.
9. Apple Pencil Case
Apple Pencil Case came in a range of colours including Saddle Brown, Fuchsia, Midnight Blue, Taupe, and Black. Images: Apple.
Released in 2017, the Apple Pencil Case was a $29 accessory that you slid your first-generation Apple Pencil (itself an accessory) into. Apple's description at the time read:
"A beautifully crafted case for Apple Pencil made of durable leather, it's available in colours that match other Apple accessories. It protects your Apple Pencil when you're not using it while making a graceful statement — cleanly and precisely designed, just like Apple Pencil."
The Pencil Case cost 1/3 the cost of the accessory it was meant to protect but didn't attach to the iPad it was meant to be used with. It was just a fancy, expensive tube of leather.
The Verge summarized the Pencil Case as:
“It embodies some of Apple’s better traits, like attention to detail and high-quality craftsmanship, but the overall impression is one of fastidiousness and self-indulgence. It’ll protect your iPad Pencil from scrapes and scratches, I guess, but iPad owners are probably more concerned about losing the damn thing in the first place.”
8. iPod Leather Case
The world wasn’t ready for a $99 Apple accessory back in 2006. Images: Apple.
A couple of years after the iPod Socks, Apple released a second iPod accessory, a $99 ($150.77 adjusting for inflation) Italian leather case for the iPod & iPod nano. Apple's website described the case as:
"Hand-crafted from fine Italian leather with an extremely soft and durable lining, the iPod Leather Case offers a snug, secure fit. A gentle pull of the ribbon will gracefully expose your iPod when you are ready to use it again."
Much like the iPod Socks, the leather case obscured access to the iPod controls and screen, and at $99, the product was viewed as excessively overpriced relative to the iPod case market at the time. Although a beautiful and elegant case and one of Apple's earliest modern forays into the use of leather in their consumer accessories, it was derided for its lack of functionality, lack of clip, and high price tag:
"I could think of a lot of better things to spen $99 on."
"What were they thinking. $100 for a leather case. This thing better do flips and play fetch for $100. What did this thing cost, like $5 to make. Give me a break apple."
"I'd never pay $100 for a case, and would probably never buy a case that didn't have access to the controls."
"$99 for a case? haha. The protection for a nano and 5G ipod cost a Shuffle. Someone got to be out of mind ordered one."
7. AirPods Max Smart Case
Perhaps the most viscously roasted Apple accessory in recent memory. Image: Apple
The AirPods Max Smart Case was included with every pair of AirPods Max, Apple's over-ear headphones introduced in late 2020. A flimsy case covering most, but not all, of the metal ear cups of the AirPods Max, the case was criticized as feeling "cheap", "awkward", and for not offering adequate protection for these high-priced headphones. Furthermore, the case was the only way to expedite the AirPods Max powering off; without the case, the only way the headphones would only turn off would be after several hours of inactivity.
6. iPad Case
The first draft is the worst draft, and that was certainly the case with Apple’s $39 iPad Case. Image: Apple.
Before there was the much-lauded Smart Cover, there was the iPad Case. Apple's description of this $39 accessory at the time read:
"With a soft microfiber interior and reinforced panels to provide structure, the iPad Case is the perfect way to carry around your iPad. And it does double duty. It folds in just the right places to act as a stand that holds iPad at an ideal angle for watching videos and slideshows or for typing on the onscreen keyboard."
Like its successor, The Smart Cover, the iPad Case protected the iPad screen, could fold into a stand (that was wobbly & precarious), and angled to become a raised typing surface. But the issue with each of these was how unrefined the case felt. The case cutout around the screen allowed dirt and debris to slide between the case and the iPad easily, the sharp edges quickly made holding the case very uncomfortable, and the material would get unforgivably dirty - worse than any Magic Keyboard I've seen.
But the iPad Case walked so the Smart Cover could run. Thanks to the ideas first piloted with the iPad Case, the Smart Cover released in 2011 became a hallmark design that has been replicated and duplicated by Apple and competitors over the years.
5. iPhone 5C Case
The iPhone 5c case might just flare up your Trypophobia. Image: Apple.
The iPhone 5C, introduced alongside the 5S in 2013, was Apple's first attempt to bifurcate the iPhone lineup into cheaper and more premium lineups. Unapologetically plastic, the iPhone 5c was in almost all respects the iPhone 5 but in a plastic chassis. Alongside this playful engineering, Apple introduced a collection of six colourful silicone cases. Apple's website at the time described the cases as follows:
“These new cases are as colorful and well made as iPhone 5c — because they were designed right alongside it. The fit is impeccable. And they come in six different colors, so you can create 30 bright combinations. Unlike most cases, these weren't designed just to add protection. They were designed to add fun.”
First, the holey design was quite divisive; some loved the fun, retro look that showed off and contrasted their iPhone, while others felt it was garish and ill-designed. For one, the holes partially obscured the iPhone text on the back, which resulted in being teased as the 'hon' cases. An early silicone accessory for Apple, these were also prone to collecting lint. Love it or hate it, the iPhone 5c earned its share of controversy and a place in this top 10. A sample of opinions from MacRumors at the time:
"God awful, and ridiculously expensive for a silicon case."
"They seem very retro which I think is cool!"
"I feel they're ugly and not very well thought of, since it shows the letters' hon' instead of 'iPhone'."
4. iPhone 12 Leather Sleeve
The absolute worst part about the iPhone Leather Sleeve is that Apple discontinued the Leather Folio for it. Image: Apple.
The iPhone Leather Sleeve was released alongside the iPhone 12, 12 mini, and 12 Pro in 2020.
Apple described the case as being "made from specially tanned and finished European leather" that "fits snugly around the curves of your iPhone and protects it from scratches and drops, without adding bulk", and help users "Enjoy the look and feel of your iPhone while still getting the protection you want". The case featured an inside pocket for 1-3 cards and a matching strap. It featured a cutout for the iPhone microphone and an oval-shaped cutout for displaying information, including the time, incoming callers, and charging indicator when docked. It retailed for $129.
I can't criticize the quality of the leather - it felt very premium, evenly textured, and supple. Like many of Apple's leather goods, I never felt cheated by the quality of the material. But that's where the praise stops.
The case was expensive and cumbersome to dislodge, while the cutout provided zero interactivity. Worse, despite having microphone cutouts at the front and bottom, the case would automatically disconnect calls when the phone was inserted back into the case. I never understood this sleeve, and neither, it seems, did most of the internet:
"Just as useful as the Apple Pencil holder. ?"
"Time to fire the entire committee who OK'ed this product."
"I think this will flop hard and won't be available with 13."
The case lasted a single season and was discontinued with the iPhone 13.
3. Apple iPhone 6s Smart Battery Case
My hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely lithium lumps. Image: Apple.
For a few generations, beginning with the iPhone 6s, Apple has been releasing battery cases that, which should come as no surprise, have had their share of controversy. Apple's first $99 iPhone Smart Battery Case was designed for the iPhone 6/6s and was essentially a regular silicone case with an extended chin on the bottom for the Lightning port to connect to the phone and an oddly shaped hump in the back middle of the case that housed the battery.
Price was a lightning rod for some. At $99, the case was priced considerably higher than competitors' battery banks. The charge was another factor because at 1877mAh, the case could only charge a dead iPhone to 77%, and you had no control over when that charge should/shouldn't begin. Lastly, people like their own cases (or *gasp* going caseless), but the Smart Battery Case was a commitment, something you had to keep your phone in at all times if you wanted a charge. The key benefit was that the case displayed a first-party widget displaying the current charge of the case and iPhone, which no third-party battery banks had.
The Verge's video reviewing the case is titled "Apple's new $99 iPhone battery case is a design embarrassment." At the same time, some reviewers saw it as a "Band-Aid" to the iPhone 6/6s' anemic battery life:
"Apple just gave 'FUGLY' a new definition: Functional, but ugly."
"This monstrosity would never get near my iPhone."
Apple kept updating the design, moving the battery hump lower with the iPhone XS, making the overall design even sleeker, and even adding a shutter button into the Start Battery Case on the iPhone 11. The Smart Battery cases were discontinued in favour of a MagSafe Battery Pack (also now discontinued) in 2021.
2. AirTag Accessories
An accessory that cost more than the product it was intended to protect. Image: Apple.
At $25-29/piece, AirTags have generally been regarded favourably since their launch in 2021. But their accessories, including Loops, Leather Key Rings and partnership with Hermès, got jeered because each of those cost equal to or more than the price of the AirTag itself (Loops ranged from $29-39, and Key Rings cost $35). And with no way to affix an AirTag, an accessory was required if you wanted to connect your AirTag to an item. I'm omitting the Hermès products from the discussion, but those accessories ranged from $299 for an AirTag Bag Charm, $349 for their Key Rings, and $699 for the Travel Tag. Suddenly, a $25 accessory could double to $64. Of course, cheaper cases quickly became available en masse, but that didn't stop people from piling on AirTag accessorygate:
"They found a way to sell dongles for AirTags #courage"
"so, lemme get this straight...
the TAG itself is $29 and the HOLDER for the tag starts at ANOTHER $29.
and no hole to attach it to your own key ring"
"Did I read that correctly? The plastic holder costs the same as the actual product it's protecting?
iPhone 15 FineWoven Cases
The reaction to Apple replacing it’s premium leather accessories with FineWoven was anything but fine. Image: Apple.
I'll end the entry in the controversy we are currently in. During Apple's Wonderlust event, they announced the removal of leather from their product line and supplanted it with FineWoven, a case Apple describes as being:
"Made from durable micro-twill, the material has a soft, suede-like feel. The FineWoven material was also designed with the earth in mind — it's made from 68 per cent post-consumer recycled content and significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to leather."
Apple describes the FineWoven Case as a "high-quality case is made to be durable and protect your iPhone." Still, the internet put this claim on blast by criticizing how easily the material showed wear. Running a finger was enough to etch a mark into the case permanently, and a rogue spot of dirt or liquid was enough to soil the case forever.
The $59 price tag (equal to Apple's leather cases) was also scorned. Leather is a known quantity, and Apple's leather cases were generally well regarded for their quality. FineWoven isn't striking people for being as premium as leather, yet Apple is pricing it as a premium case. It feels something akin to high-grade paper or soft denim. Some people disliked the edges' feel, which looks plastic but is a modified compressed FineWoven texture. Overall, from price to feel to durability, people were everything except fine with this alternative case:
"FineWoven is le epic fail."
"CaseGate? FineWovenGate? FineGate?"
"This is impressively terrible, did Apple do *any* form of market research before releasing finewoven accessories?"
"It's only FineWoven, until touched, so leave it be"
My Pacific Blue FineWoven Case after a week of use looks much the same that it did a week ago, but I’ve been mindful to use it when in a dirty or sticky situation.
My FineWoven Take: I ordered a Pacific Blue and Taupe FineWoven Case, but immediately returned the Taupe case, fearing it would wear horrifically. I am still using my case Pacific Blue case, and after a week, it still looks brand new, but I've been very cautious and babying it quite a bit. In Canada, they cost $79, so I'm not about to go all reckless with mine just yet, but in time I'm bound to get more carefree and will soon see how they hold up. Even on my trips to the Apple Store, I saw row upon row of scratched-up FineWoven cases; it was a bad look. I applaud Apple's environmental commitment, though this case left many feeling like being environmental came at the cost of a quality case, which it doesn't need to be. Overall, I think it did more harm for Apple to release this case rather than release the silicone cases alone and continue exploring more durable material options. Even though Apple describes these cases as going through "thousands of hours of testing throughout the design and manufacturing process," if it scratches or stains the minute you lay your hands on it, the Court of Public Opinion is not going to look at it favourably, especially when marketed a premium offering.
In Sum
Apple has done a lot of experimentation with materials and form factors for their accessories and has released some truly exceptional products; the Smart Cover is just one example. Ultimately, Apple is a victim of its success, and by launching unique and opinionated accessories seen by hundreds of millions of people, there is bound to be a vocal cohort of people who love using them and plenty more who have a hot take to share against them.
