Apple iPhone 12 Clear Cases Breaking Easily (Go For Silicone)
iPhone 12 Clear Case with broken plastic. Source: Reddit
Apple has launched some spectacular new MagSafe compatible cases to match the release of the iPhone 12 lineup. The Clear Case is one of the popular ones, because it doesn’t interfere with the original color of your iPhone. The MagSafe ring makes it look like the good old iPod Nano and many users have purchased it, even if it retails as high as $49 (EUR 55).
However, reports on Reddit complain that the new see-through plastic case is fragile. A photo with a broken iPhone 12 Clear Case has been published. You can notice a crack developing in the plastic, on the inside of the accessory. User Phreakiedude claims that this damage has occurred after only 2 days of usage.
A second user confirms the exact same problem and adds that the case was exchanged at his local Apple Store with a Silicone one. The topic is still fresh and theses are the only two complaints for the time being. It’s unclear yet if iPhone 12 Clear Cases are brittle and break in numbers, or if these will turn out to be isolated cases.
Nevertheless, if you’re not living in the proximity of an Apple Store, and want to exclude the potential replacement hassle, you might be better of with purchasing a Silicon case instead, that’s less prone to breaking. Retail prices are identical.
iPhone 12 Silicone Case with MagSafe ring marks. Source: MacRumors
Important: Apple warns users that the new MagSafe charger might cause circular marks on the back of iPhone 12 leather cases, if the case is on when the device is charged with the new ‘wireless’ charging option. However, MagSafe ring imprints have also been spotted on the back of the new Silicone cases.
iPhone 12 MagSafe Case Charging Problems?
It has also been reported that the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro might get stuck on the MagSafe charging animation when the device is connected to the new charger. The terminal freezes and no charging occurs. The fix implies to disconnect the magnets and force restart your device as explained here.
Have you already bought an iPhone 12 / 12 Pro Clear Case? Enjoy it but remember to be gentle. If you encounter a similar breaking problem don’t hesitate to comment this article and let us know.
Related: Check out a collection of iPhone 12 Cases for all pockets!
MagSafe Clear, cracked on both bottom corners. Think just putting case on phone caused.
Frrussre, that’s bad news. How many days did you use the case before it broke? Did you go to an Apple Store and ask for a replacement? Would appreciate if you can send us a picture at contact@iphonetricks.org. Good luck with replacing it!
I returned my Apple clear case after 6 days because the cracking kept getting worse and worse just from normal use no drops at all
Jacob, thanks for confirming this. Did you get a Silicone replacement or went for the refund?
As I reported few days ago case cracked.
I managed to get Apple appointment, they gave me choice of refund or new case. I didn’t want silicone, so got another clear MagSafe. Also requested new receipt, so as to start new 14 day return.
Return painless.
New case, cracked on bottom corners just putting phone in it.
I will make another appointment,return for refund.
Ps. Tried to email photos as requested by Patricia. Mailer keeps bouncing back undeliverable
Frrussre, thanks for getting back to us. Your case clearly proves that Apple’s clear cases or at least the initial batches are very fragile because of a design or manufacturing problem. Thanks about the ‘new receipt’ trick. Good to know that Apple is exchanging them without a hassle, however I can imagine that it can be frustrating especially if you’re not living in the proximity of an Apple Store.
P.S.: Thanks for pointing the mail problem out. The allotted inbox quota was full. It should work now.
I’ve got the same issue. Apple support web chat wanted to charge me £49 to replace it! Awaiting a call from them after I rejected their proposal! Uk stores closed due to COVID so hoping they will replace by sending a new case out.
Nicholas, thanks for feedback. This, should be a known issue already so you should get a free replacement as long as you’re still in the 14-day free return time frame. If you want you can mail us a photo with your broken case and we will add it to the article. The more reports, the stronger the case.
My case has three cracks in it. One on each side at the bottom, and one by the camera. This is a terrible case.
Chris, thanks for confirming. We can’t understand how Apple has allowed it to reach the stores without some serious testing. Did you get a free replacement?
Mine cracked as well, I only put it on my new iPhone 12 Pro and immediately noticed cracks had appeared on the bottom corners. I requested and received a refund. It’s surprising that Apple’s quality control allowed this to happen.
Darren, thanks for confirming. Yes, it seems that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused Apple to let the guard down quality control. Many more problems than usual in general throughout the entire Apple autumn new product range.
Well just had my pro 12 max fall out of my hands and it dropped maybe 3 ft. The phone was protected but it took 2 hits. Small crack on the bottom and a nice crack on the side of the camera. I bought a 12 pro case as well. I’ll be taking them both back and hopefully I can exchange for some silicone ones. I had the 11 pro max clear and it never let me down. :(
Enrique, thanks for sharing this. I don’t think that you’ll get a replacement for a case that cracked after you dropped it. Yes, iPhone 12 clear cases seem to be more vulnerable than the iPhone 11 ones. Perhaps this is caused by the MagSafe insertion.
Well happily I had it replaced as well as my wife’s who was outside of the return window. I think this is definitely coming up as an issue for them. Both were replaced with silicones until they fix quality issue or a competitor offers a better option.
Enrique, thanks for getting back. Indeed this confirms that they now about the quality issue. Agreeing to replace a case that doesn’t fit in the return period… you can’t get a better confirmation. Enjoy your new silicon ones! ;)
I’m having the exact same issue my case is three weeks old….. FML
Emmanuel, thanks for your confirmation. You can try and see if you can still get a replacement. Let us know if you managed.
I have a reservation at the Apple store here in about an hour, I will definitely let you know the outcome!!!!!
Emmanuel, thanks for getting back. Great. Fingers crossed!
December 16th and still nothing from the Apple store or Apple customer service …..
Did you bring your case in and are waiting for a replacement. You said you had an appointment on November 20…
Not sure if these helps but I noticed the cracks on both corners (bottom of the case) also looked like the case was warping outwards too.
Called Apple a couple days ago and a replacement was sent out siting faulty batch.
Received replacement today and the same thing happened. Apple have now refunded me.
Prakash, thanks for sharing your experience. This might hint that we’re not talking about a bad batch, but potentially a more complex design flaw?
Hi Patricia – 100% design flaw. It shouldn’t crack that easily or Warp at all.
I have a Magsafe clear case that has cracked on the right side between the camera window and the power button. I have called Apple support three times and taken it to the Apple store as they directed.
Apple determined that the crack is “cosmetic” and not covered by warranty.
I have explained several times that the issue affects the function of the power button which is used for app downloads. It is not a “cosmetic” issue at all.
I would appreciate any suggestions you have for getting this resolved. I did not drop the phone and there is no damage to the case.
Margaret, thanks for reporting. I’m afraid that there is nothing else that I can suggest. Perhaps take it back to a different Apple Store and you’ll get lucky and have it replaced?
I purchased one today, and it broke not even an hour into using it. I called the store that I purchased it at and they said they can do nothing on their end. I’m not sure what to do now :(
If they aren’t acknowledging the problem there is not much that you can do. Have you bought it from an official Apple retailer?
I have an iPhone 12 pro silicon magsafe case only a month old. The edges of the case are peeling as well as some random areas of the case. I took it to the apple store and they said that i must call apple support, which i did. They said the case isn’t covered under warranty. I have had other cases on my phones for years and never ever had an issue like this. You would expect that when you charge a ridiculous premium for your product and its accessories that firstly they are quality made products and secondly that if there is an issue as reported by many people all over the internet you will acknowledge that there is in fact an issue and at least the honour the warranty to your loyal customers. All that they are doing now is encouraging people to go and buy the cheap Chinese knock offs for a quarter of the price. Which I did because they wouldn’t honour my warranty. 3 months in with this knock off case and not one chip or issue on the case. So just a warning don’t buy original apple accessories, because they cost a premium and Apple will not admit poor workmanship and will also not honour the warranty
Thanks for reporting this. Can you please mention in which country you’ve had this Apple Store experience? Unfortunately, I noticed that Apple Stores that are outside the U.S., U.K. and a few other main countries, are much more inflexible when it comes to customer complaints and replacing faulty products.
There are some rare cases indeed when an original Apple product doesn’t meet expectations. However, this is the first report that we can about a Silicon Pro MagSafe case. We will start a topic about this case model to see how spread out this issue is.