Apple will charge you a heck of a lot for a piece of silicone you can slap on the back of your iPhone. And you can get silicone cases almost just as good for a fraction of the price. Elago’s premium MagSafe Silicone case for iPhone 12 is just $21.99 — and it’s absolutely terrific.
Its hybrid design makes for a robust but slim skin that superbly fits your iPhone, and protects it from scratches and scrapes. It’s available in a number of pretty color options, and it’s well worth your cash.
Buying silicone cases for your iPhone is a risky business. Apple’s is terrific, but I think we can all agree $49 is excessive for a silicone case. Buy a budget option, however, and you’ll end up with subpar silicone that tears easily and attracts every speck of dust within a 10 mile radius.
There is a middle ground. Elago’s MagSafe Silicone case looks and feels a lot like Apple’s, and it’s just as sturdy. But it’s also an absolute steal.
MagSafe Silicone case for iPhone 12: A great way to spend $22
Designed and manufactured from scratch by Elago, the MagSafe Silicone uses premium materials that look and feel fantastic. It’s soft and velvety to the touch, with a suede-like inner lining that cushions your iPhone’s glass. A raised lip around its edge helps protect your iPhone’s screen, and another at the back protects your camera lenses.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
The MagSafe Silicone isn’t tacky like budget silicone cases, so it is less susceptible to picking up dust, dirt, and other debris — like Apple’s pricier alternative. And it doesn’t mark easily when it gets dropped or rubs up against car keys and change in your pocket.
Of course, fluff and other bits of lint will be collected occasionally; that’s to be expected with any silicone case, no matter how good it is. However, a quick wipe down with a damp cloth will remove all that. It’s best not to run the case under water, though, because of its inner lining.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
A polycarbonate shell on the inside of the MagSafe Silicone ensures the case holds its shape and always fits your iPhone like a glove. It also provides an additional layer of protection that will help keep your iPhone in one piece when you drop into onto solid floors.
MagSafe-ready … or not?
The MagSafe Silicone case I’ve been testing, as its name suggests, also has built-in magnets that make it MagSafe-compatible. And it works just as expected with Apple’s MagSafe charger and wallet add-on. It will also play nicely with any third-party MagSafe accessories.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
We have a review of Elago’s MagSafe stands for iPhone coming soon. But I can confirm that they and the MagSafe Silicone case go great together. I haven’t had any attachment or charging issues since I began using them bother together; everything works as it should.
The MagSafe Silicone also goes well with regular, non-MagSafe charging pads. It’s not too thick to block wireless charging functionality, and it won’t get in the way when you want to use a Lightning cable for charging and syncing, either.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Elago offers a slightly cheaper version of this case — the Liquid Silicone — which is essentially the same (and just as good) except it leaves out the MagSafe magnets. If you don’t intend to use any MagSafe accessories, this would be the one to go for at just $14.99.
A great silicone case
If you’re a fan of silicone cases and you’ve been eyeing Apple’s, but are reluctant to spend $49, the MagSafe Silicone or Liquid Silicone are terrific alternatives. They’ll protect your iPhone just as well, last just as long, and look just as good on your iPhone 12.
Both are available for all iPhone 12 models, including 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, and they come in a range of great color options. You can order yours today from the Cult of Mac Store from just $14.99.
Elago provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy for more information, and check out more of our in-depth reviews.
