The best iPhone XS and XR cases are slim, tough and invisible

By

New offerings from MNML Case offer a totally transparent layer of protection for iPhone XS, XS Max and XR.
New offerings from MNML Case offer a totally transparent layer of protection for iPhone XS, XS Max and XR.
Photo: MNML Case

This post is presented by MNML Case.

A huge part of the iPhone’s appeal is its physical design. Sure, it’s got bells and whistles galore, but the way the phone feels in hand is the one feature you’ll encounter most. But you’ve got to protect your investment, especially when it’s a cool $1,099 as with the iPhone XS Max. So when you get a case, it’s worth getting one that doesn’t bulk up or alter your device’s carefully crafted form.

MNML makes a line of clear cases for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR that are as close to an invisible shield as you’ll find. Each is 100 percent transparent, made from a combination of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polypropylene. At 0.6mm thin, MNML cases are more slender than standard TPU cases — and they won’t turn that off shade of translucent yellow.

MNML Case: An invisible shield for iPhone

Once the MNML iPhone case is affixed, it's easy to forget about.
Once the case is affixed, it’s easy to forget about.
Photo: MNML Case

True to their name, these cases are designed with the minimum in mind. Once installed, it’s seriously easy to forget the MNML case is even on your iPhone. There is zero branding on the cases’ surfaces, so you can easily see all your iPhone’s native markings. A slight bump protects the rear camera from scratches, with a special finish that prevents fingerprints on the iPhone’s highly smearable glass backing.

If you’d like to accent the look of your new iPhone, these cases also come in some cool shades. In additional to Clear Transparent, there’s Frosted Black, Frosted White, Matte Black, Jet Black and Graphite. And MNML doesn’t stop at the new iPhones. The company offers 0.35mm PP Thin Cases available for iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, along with all the big Android devices like Pixel 2, Note 9 and Galaxy S9.

One of the coolest parts about these cases is how affordable they are. Each costs a modest $14.99, which is less than you’ll spend for far uglier cases. Plus, they come with a 100 percent money-back guarantee, with no need to return the case if you don’t like it. And Cult of Mac readers get an extra 20 percent off when they use the discount code XS20.

If you’ve got an iPhone, you’ve got something worth protecting and showing off. With a clear case from MNML, you can do both.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.