I tried an ultra-thin iPhone case, and here's how my daunting experience went

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I tried an ultra-thin iPhone case, and here's how my daunting experience went

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • Latercase’s “impossibly thin” iPhone case retails for $59, comes in five colors, and seamlessly and stylishly covers your phone.
  • The Latercase has built-in camera protection, a thin design, and is wireless charging compatible.
  • Consider an alternative case if you need a more protective option or prefer one that fully encapsulates your phone

When I am not testing MagSafe batteries, MagSafe wallets, and other MagSafe accessories at ZDNET, I sometimes get the opportunity to try other tech-adjacent products — like phone cases!

Few things are as exciting to me about my phone as a new phone case. Getting a new case is like picking out your outfit for the first day of school when you’re younger and having it laid out on your bed, ready to go for the morning; it’s fun, exciting, and leaves me with the feeling that a new chapter is on the horizon. Of course, for my phone, that usually means hoping a new case can curb my incessant drops, bumps, scrapes, and accidental tosses. 

Also: I tried the Taylor Swift-inspired trend in iPhone cases and it wasn’t as bad as I feared

Because of my clumsiness, I usually gravitate toward cases that have a bumper around the entirety of my phone, offer substantial protection, and have some form of grip. I have been loyal to Castify’s Impact cases for their protective yet practical look, and I have recently become a fan of Casely’s more affordable accessories. I always go for a MagSafe case, too (this is critical as an accessory reviewer). I’ve also used cases from Moft, Casemate, Apple, Nomad, Speck, Otterbox, and more. 

That’s why when I had the chance to try Latercase’s thin iPhone case, I was skeptical.  

A case that was supposed to protect one of my most expensive tech products while still remaining nearly undetected?  It seemed too good to be true.I’m admittedly impressed after using the Latercase thin case on my iPhone 14 Pro for a bit, including while testing new accessories like Ohsnap’s MagSafe Grip Wallet. 

Also: I’ve tested dozens of MagSafe accessories, but this new wallet stand is my ideal iPhone companion

At first glance, the idea of a phone case so thin and lightweight that it feels as if your iPhone is — dare I say, naked — looked like a gimmick. But right out of the box, Latercase has proved me wrong. Latercase markets this case as “the thinnest on the planet,” and it’s certainly the thinnest I have ever tried. 

Latercase Thin iPhone Case Specs: 

  • Only 0.6mm thick
  • Weighs 10g
  • Crafted with Kevlar aramid fibers, per Latercase
  • 360° smooth edges
  • MagSafe compatible
  • Easy to attach & remove
  • Wireless charging compatible
  • Comes in five colors (Classic, Coffee, Crimson, Midnight, Willy Blue) *ZDNET’s test unit was in the Midnight shade

The Latercase was easy to install (and remove), and it has an elevated look when on my phone. It has a soft, tactile texture reminiscent of silicone, yet still grippier. There is a full camera casing, which I love, and it is perfect for those looking to “hide” the color of their phone for aesthetics. However, the case does not fully wrap around my phone, leaving notches for buttons and the top and bottom of my phone without protection. This is not my usual case choice, but it is common among thin cases on the market. 

latercase-vs-casely-case-camera

The Latercase camera protection (bottom) compared to a Casely case’s camera bumper. 

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

Due to the thin case’s magnetic grip, it was already pretty strong, and I didn’t have any issues testing various accessories. However, adding the Latercase MagSafe ring bulked up the grip more to my liking and was perfect for testing heavier MagSafe accessories without worry. 

Also: The best MagSafe accessories of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

Latercase says its cases are crafted with the same Kevlar aramid fibers used to protect astronauts from micrometeoroid impacts. They also say these cases are impossibly thin, featherlight, superior in texture, ultra-precise, simple to use, and 5x stronger than steel. I’d agree with these, for the most part. 

latercase-iphone-14-pro

A side view of the Latercase on my iPhone 14 Pro. Notice how the case does not provide a full bumper, but instead has notches at several places. 

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

While there’s no way to prove that this case is stronger than steel reasonably, I dropped my phone twice while using it, and both times it surfaced unharmed. I only use a basic screen protector besides a case, and it is already compromised with some cracks. 

Also: The best iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases of 2024: Expert tested

My only grievance with this case is that I wish it had a bumper fully around my device (again, that’s a preference) and that it had come in brighter colors. If I could nab a lilac or baby pink color, I would probably consider upgrading my current case to a Latercase permanently. After all, I am just a Gen-Z woman in tech.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Latercase Thin iPhone case is a sleek, elevated option for anyone looking for a thin phone case. The case works great if you’re an average phone user or need a lightweight option. But I still would recommend something more protective (full edge support) if you have more unstable tendencies with your mobile phone. I very much enjoyed the overall aesthetic it provided. However, if you’re looking for more protective or personable options, I’d consider looking elsewhere and checking out ZDNET’s other tested picks. 





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