iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple Silicon Case or Caudabe Sheath?

I just transitioned from an iPhone 11 to a 16 Pro Max 512GB Natural Titanium and loving it! I am in search of a great case that provides excellent protection, works well with Camera Control, really good grip and feel that won’t look ripped up after dropping on the ground. My iPhone 11 case was a Spigen Ultra Hybrid Clear that served me well all these years through countless drops.

Currently I have the Rebel Frosted Flex MagSafe and Apple Clear Case with MagSafe, the Clear Case is much too slippery and I’ve already dropped it on concrete when holding it up with one hand to take a photo. No damage to the phone or case fortunately. I do have Apple Care + T&L as a safeguard.

I’ve done some research on other cases that are not going to cost me $100 each. The top 2 I’ve seen on YouTube seem to be the Apple Silicon case and the Caudabe Sheath. However no research measures up to real feedback from real consumers IMO. I would like to hear feedback about your experience and opinions, If you have recommendations other than those mentioned I’m open to that too. Thanks!

Figured I may as well share my experience here after paying quite a lot for this case. I had a Sheath on my iPhone 13 Pro and really loved it. Funky texture but plenty of grip and felt good to hold.

1. The 16 Pro’s Sheath sucks in comparison. For some reason it is thicker, making the phone feel noticeably chonkier to hold.

2. Then there is an edge on the camera cutout that is just not comfortable. The little lip between the cutout and the front facing edge is too thin. Combined with the rough texture I find it digging into my fingers when holding it, and even more so when trying to use the capture button.

You can see this lip pointed out by TechnicallyTee (https://youtu.be/mvtzISrJgD0) in my borrowed screenshot.

3. The last straw for me is how the texture feels combined with an Apple Magsafe wallet. Taking the finewoven wallet on and off, or even readjusting it, feels surprisingly unpleasant because the textures rub against each other. It’s like I’m sanding my wallet down every time I move it. Thought it was worth sharing for anyone considering this combination of accessories.

Anyways, I’m not happy with the Sheath. Tried it a few times and I keep chucking it back in a drawer regretting the purchase. I have mostly seen overly positive reviews on it thus far, so hopefully my experience can help set some realistic expectations.

What case are you guys using? I have the Apple Silicone case and it’s actually pretty crappy. I dropped it awhile ago and it cracked the screen protector. I ended up buying another screen protector and noticed it’s scuffed up again. You’d think Apple would make products that protects the side of the screen a bit more. It’s definitely my fault for dropping it but man I’m disappointed in how much protection it doesn’t have.

Edit: forgot to mention I have a privacy screen protector. I got a Flolab, dropped my phone and it cracked. I got the Zagg one on now and same thing happened. So privacy screen protector is the culprit. Appreciate all the comments and recommendations nonetheless. Will have to consider going back to a regular screen protector.

This is just the perfect case. Exactly what I wanted.

Anyone else feel like the sheath (iPhone 16 pro) is the superior case over the paragon? I originally got the paragon but I swapped it back out for the sheath. You can’t beat that texture of the sheath case. Paragon is a nice case but it was too slick for me. Caudabe’s texture is on that case is unmatched. It would be cool if they would make the paragon case but add the texture of sheath.

Had the Caudabe Sheath on my previous 13 Pro Max, when I got my 16 pro max on launch day I had to get the Apple Silicone case because that’s what they sell in the Apple Store.

Apple Silicone was a nice case but it wore out so fast and stuck to my pockets often, so I decided to try the Synthesis instead of the Sheath and this year and I really like it, it feels great on the hand and the metallic buttons are super clicky. I feel confident knowing this case nor my screen protector will show wear when dropping the phone with this case on.

I like how the dessert titanium goes with the grey case; it looks classy. Not everyone likes the Sheath texture, but I find it highly grippy and resistant to wear and tear. The new metal buttons are a nice upgrade from the traditional rubber buttons. The Camera "button" does have a cutout, which I'm not the biggest fan of, but compared to how other case manufacturers have done it, I like how this one looks. Another massive plus for me is that the case fits very snugly, including the little thin plastic part by the camera button. Lastly, MagSafe's strength is pretty good; I would say it is similar to last year's, which I think was great. Overall, I'm happy with this case, and yes, I will go and try other cases, but I usually start with the sheath and make my way back to it or the synthesis in the end.

I recently purchased the iPhone 16P to replace my 15PM. The Pro Max was just too heavy, especially with a case on. What case are you rocking on your phone? I currently have the Apple Silicone case but in my experience, they don’t really hold up well overtime so I’m looking at other options.

I’ve been looking all week for a case for my 16 pro in Desert Titanium but I can’t seem to find the right one… looking for a minimalistic case from a good brand.

I've never pre ordered a phone before but I'm doing it this time. I know case manufacturers are given dimensions so cases are available as soon as the phone comes out. But how do you know which is a good one since nobody has tested them yet? Any brands people really like that one could hope to assume would work well with the new model? I really want to make sure I have a case right away once it comes.

After enough people on here recommend the Caudabe sheath, I went ahead and ordered it - I’ve always used the Apple leather cases in the past.

However, this case is just not for me. It’s just too thick and heavy.

Has anyone tried the Caudabe and can recommend something that is smaller/lighter that they believe is better than the Sheath?

Will be my first upgrade in a while, wondering what brands everyone recommends/uses for cases and tempered screen protectors. I don’t mind spending a little extra for good quality but I’ve heard to stay away from Apple’s own cases.

i pre-ordered the new iphone the other day & i’m currently trying to choose a case for it. i’ve religiously used otterbox symmetry cases on my past two iphones & have had no issues & have been really impressed with the level of protection they offer. however, i’m slightly put off by the gap in the side for the camera controls on the iphone 16 model. there’s a casetify one i really like the look of but the price is putting me off. can anyone recommend some other brands to look at or enlighten me if the casetify ones are really worth the money?

Been looking at a couple of cases. The Beats case looks interesting but I wanna see what everyone’s opinion is. So far I’m using the Bellroy leather case and it’s pretty good.

I’m upgrading to the iPhone 17 Pro Max next month, but right now I just need a good case for my 16 Pro Max. Plan is to hand it down to my dad later, so if the case is solid I’ll grab the same one for my new phone too.

Tried a bunch of iPhone cases and honestly most of them are trash. The ones that actually protect are usually bulky or just ugly. I’m after something that actually lasts and still looks good basically the best iPhone case that’s both durable and clean looking.

A leather case could be nice too, but only if it’s good quality and not one of those that peels after a month. Anyone got recommendations for the best phone cases for iphone or even iPhone leather case that’s protective and still feels premium?

I got the Caudabe Sheath case based on Wired's recommendation. It's nice, but it adds some weight and size. Holding in my hand it's not as nice as holding the phone itself.

Is there some case people recommend that is just a bit slimmer / lighter?

I know Caudabe has the Veil but it doesn't have MagSafe. Is that a big deal? Wired also says the Veil "won't do much for accidental drops" -- is that the case? I do want protection for occasional drops!

Looking into these brands and can't decide, wondering if anyone can recommend it working well with the new camera setting notch. Preferably thin and ultralight - it's too slippery for me without a case.

Peel

Bare-cases

Spigen

Caudabe

Mous

Maybe it's just me but the cases for the new pro models have been seriously bad this year. Your choices are cheap and plasticky or expensive but gigantic cutouts for the camera button. Like all the brands I've bought in the past that had nice leather options or idk anything nice has just been not available this year, on preorder, or has a gigantic cutout. Its frankly frustrating. Am I going crazy? Do others share my opinion

EDIT: Seeing a lot of people miss the point of my rant in that I do not want a cutout at all. But, I also want leather or metal or higher quality materials for my case. Right now my choices are no cutout, actual buttons, but plastic or clear, or high quality leather or carbon fibre etc but has a cutout of some description.

EDIT 2: Got the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Grip Mag or whatever you call it lol, just came in, works great love the case, button works flawlessly, and I don't even mind the frosted/clear back. Its an actually nice case and for less than 30$ it blows the apple case out of the water.