As mentioned before, the Filono Cases Aramid and Carbon are not made for a quick change. They fit like a second skin and are therefore hardly noticeable, which means that the iPhone retains its suitability for trouser pockets and even improves it because the camera island is less annoying. For assembly and disassembly, Filono has various on its website videos provided, which should be observed, especially with the carbon case. I have already described the process in my other tests.
Since the carbon case has precise key cutouts, a special mounting aid (supplied) must be used for attachment, which remotely looks like a guitar pick, so that the keys are not damaged or even torn off. A 5-euro note will do the trick, too. Of course, the iPhone should be absolutely clean before installing the case.
The small slits – in the lower area in the case of carbon and in the upper area in the case of aramid – are necessary in order to be able to “bend” the very rigid cases over the edge of the housing. In practice, they do not interfere.
The keys are precisely framed by the carbon case. The aramid features larger cutouts for the buttons. If you look at the pictures enlarged, you can also clearly see the difference in the surface structure of the two materials.
A look at the inside reveals further differences. The aramid case for iPhone 14 is always equipped with a MagSafe magnet system, with the carbon case it is optional. The aramid case is thicker at the back than on the sides and above the cameras, but with an imperceptible jump in thickness. It still feels thin, but has the particularly strong magnet system invisibly integrated between the layers. With the carbon, the shape of the magnetic ring with the arm for automatic alignment is clearly visible. The iPhone sits on the magnetic holder Q almost as if it were screwed on. You have to be a little careful when taking it off, but with the right grip point and angle of pull, it goes without saying.
Incidentally, the aramid and carbon cases with an integrated magnetic ring can also be used MagSafe wallets or -Battery suitable.
A closer look at the inside of the camera part shows that the aramid offers simple but very smooth cutouts here. With the carbon, on the other hand, small “funnels” are formed for the flash and sensor, which are intended to ensure a better connection to the flash and sensor (and perhaps also prevent the ingress of dust). The carbon case has small irregularities on the inside that have to do with the special construction and that have become more pronounced with the complex shapes. However, they do not restrict the function and there is no risk of damage to the cameras, says Markus Thiessen from Filono.
According to him, my test sample (see picture below this paragraph) shows roughly the average of the production fluctuations. Thiessen explained to me that this is by no means a deterioration in quality compared to previous cases. It is simply due to the increased complexity and the ever-smaller details, which simply cannot be reproduced with multi-layer carbon with such fine edges as with aramid (or simple plastic). Crucially, none of this can be seen from the outside.
Left: inside of the aramid case, right that of the carbon case with the “funnels” for flash and sensor. The cutouts for the cameras are not quite as clean on the carbon due to the material and production, but that does not affect the usability. From the outside everything looks immaculate.
When I recently removed the carbon case from my iPhone 11 Pro after a good three years of use, there was practically no dust underneath and certainly no coarse dirt. I often carried the iPhone in my trouser pocket and jacket pocket. The surfaces and edges of the iPhone were completely intact and like new, which of course benefits the resale value. A special fleece insert, as offered by some other case providers, is simply not necessary here. Especially since, in contrast to many cheaper and less precisely fitting alternatives, the case does not move in the slightest on the housing and therefore has no chafing effect.
Tag: iphone design, iphone 14, apple iphone, iphone release