I figured out how to protect my iPhone without an ugly case

I really didn’t want to keep my iPhone 15 Pro Max in a case. The cases add bulk, reduce charm, and don’t allow me to enjoy the vastly improved ergonomics or feel of the titanium band around the chassis. So I vowed not to do this.

However, I am also realistic. My expensive new phone needs some protection, especially when it’s being moved around in my bag or placed on a table. The solution came from the past, because the product I chose brought me back to the way I protected my first iPhone model when cases were much less common than they are today.

bag return

I’m talking about simple phone pouches. The ones I remember were as simple as “cases” get, as they were mostly made of cloth or leather, and while you could find them shaped for a particular type of phone, there were plenty of universal ones around as well. . When the iPhone 3G came out, there were very few case options available, so getting one you really liked was a bit challenging. I had the same problem that still exists today, with all of them adding huge amounts and messing up the phone lines.

The bag was a great option. It still protects the phone, without adding anything extra to the device. I used them to hold my iPhone 3G, iPhone 4, iPhone 5, and even my iPad. A company called “Foof” was one of my favorites, and I had “Foof Pods” for various iPhones and iPads. The pouches shown in the pictures are ones I have used before and recently revisited them. But when the iPhone 6 came out, pouches either became less available, or I found cases I liked. As a result, I haven’t thought about or used phone pouches for years.

This thought came back to my mind as I was thinking about what to do this year. I was using the Apple FineWoven Case when I was working on my iPhone 15 Pro Max vs iPhone 14 Pro camera comparison, and also used the Apple Silicone Case with the iPhone 15 Plus during my review, then Also I didn’t want to use it long term either. Although I was happy to miss that pouch, finding a suitable pouch in 2023 turned out to be a little more difficult than I expected.

leather or cloth

The cases are so popular and the range so diverse that there doesn’t seem to be much demand for anything else. find a bag at all Some research was going to be required. The major brands certainly don’t offer anything like this, so I turned to Amazon to see if they still existed. I was glad to at least see some examples, but I soon realized I couldn’t be selective.

The only condition other than it being made for the iPhone 14 Pro Max or iPhone 15 Pro Max (they’re both the same size) was that it be made of fabric, not leather. Leather pouches may seem classy to some, but many had a belt clip on the back, which was a very popular option (for some unknown reason) for holding huge analog phones in the late 90s. I think they’re the best survivors of that decade. A number of generic pouches were also made for phones with a certain screen size.

This essentially left me with very few options – until I stumbled upon one of my photos created by a company called Adore June. It makes slip cases, bags, and pouches for a wide range of products, and it was exactly what I was looking for. It’s made from Cordura fabric with a water-repellent Teflon coating, it’s sized specifically for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, plus it has a soft inner layer, so it won’t scratch the screen or body. It was also a bargain at 15 British pounds or about $18.

perfect fit

The Adore June Sleeve is about as simple as it gets. The black outer skin feels hard and tough, yet pleasantly tactile, while the lining is woolly and soft. There’s a tab with the brand’s name on the side, which gives it some character, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max slips on without any problems. It is also safe and will not slip out accidentally. You have to take it out physically. However, the sleeve is tight around the phone, so it won’t fit with a case.

This was fine for me. The whole reason for wanting the sleeve was to avoid using a case. This works really well, because when the phone is in my bag or pocket I can put it in, then take it out when I want to use it. Although when it’s in the pouch I can’t see the screen being always on, but when it’s on the desk or table I put it over the sleeve, like a soft little pillow, so I can see everything that’s in it. I can see things going on.

I’ve successfully avoided a case, but not completely sacrificed all protection, and I’ve returned to a long-forgotten product that defined how I protected my early iPhones for many years. . It’s always a risk to run without a case, and since a phone is a serious financial investment, it’s worth giving it some protection. The Adore June Sleeve is exactly that, while it stands out because it’s not just another case, and it’s all at a reasonable price too.

Better than a case and better than nothing

Whenever my iPhone is stuck inside its sleeve, it will be protected quite well. Even in a small fall, it should have a fighting chance of survival, as there’s at least some cushioning around the edges and corners. When it comes out of the sleeve, that’s a different story, but it’s an acceptable risk when deciding not to use some type of case. Even if I used a case, they are not a force field, and there is no guarantee that it will ensure the phone will not break if dropped.

But the main thing is, I enjoy the iPhone 15 Pro Max the way Apple intended, not the way a case maker intended. I know I’m not the only one trying to live life without a case with the iPhone 15 series, so if you’re looking for something to take away some of the inevitable anxiety of living so dangerously, one on a sleeve Take a look.