"Liquid Silicone": Apple is allegedly planning new iPhone cases
New software design, modified iPhones – but is Apple also planning new protective cases? A leaker claims to have found out what they will look like.
This is what the new iPhone 17 protective case allegedly planned by Apple should look like.
(Image: Majin Bu)
Apple is reportedly planning to expand its range of protective cases for the iPhone. Together with the launch of the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro models, the company will unveil a new product line called “Liquid Silicone”, reports Chinese leaker “Majin Bu”. The wavy design is apparently an allusion to the new software look called “Liquid Glass”. However, Bu's predictions should be taken with a grain of salt: he has been right a few times but has also been completely wrong on other occasions.
What speaks for an expansion of the protective case selection is the unplanned reduction in the range that Apple had to make due to the ongoing criticism of the Finewoven cases. The fine fabric that replaced Apple's leather cases did not meet the taste of customers. It was considered poorly durable and expensive. After it was quietly discontinued in 2024, only the silicone cases remained in the range. Even then, the question arose whether Apple would expand the range again in the future.
No new experiments
The “Liquid Silicone” cases, of which Bu allegedly showed samples in pictures, do not experiment with the material used. Instead, they differ from the smooth cases with a striking wave effect on the back in the area of the MagSafe charging surface. They also have a recess that could be used to attach a wrist strap. Apple already offers something similar in the AirPods Pro 2 charging case.
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Experts are highly skeptical about the alleged leak: the build quality and chunkiness of the cases shown do not meet Apple's design standards, they complain. At best, they could be prototypes. Bu recently made a name for itself with the correct prediction of a Mac-like menu bar in iPadOS 26. Before that, however, a number of his predictions were wrong.
The iPhone 17 is currently expected to be unveiled on September 9. It should then become clear during the presentation or at the latest afterwards in Apple's online store whether there will be new cases – and if so, what they will look like.
(mki)
