Spigen unleashed its new iPhone 16 case collection with just about all of the usual models and styles folks familiar with the brand will already know…with one exception. With the introduction of the Camera Control button on iPhone 16, Spigen is now one of only a large handful of options out there that actually have a case that forgoes the cutout in favor of a button cover that is supposed to translate the multi-gesture action through to the phone. But at under $30 Prime shipped the question is, does it?
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Hands-on with Spigen’s iPhone 16 Camera Control Case
The new Spigen Ultra Hybrid T MagFit comes in three colorways and is still seeing a notable launch deals starting at $28.99 Prime shipped via its official Amazon storefront.
Features at a glance:
- Made from a premium blend of PC and TPU for durability
- Military-grade drop protection via Air Cushion Technology
- Infused with blue resin for long-lasting clarity
- Touch-sensitive and capacitive T cover for seamless Camera Control Button functionality
- Compatible with wireless charging and MagSafe accessories
9to5Toys’ Take
One thing that has always been the case with Spigen is that they deliver good bang for your buck – nothing overly robust and high-end, but also cases that hit slightly above the sticker price, and that remains true once again here on its new Ultra Hybrid T MagFit.
This is once again the same sort of rubbery TPU we have seen and continue to see across the brand’s lineup. In this case, it is a slightly pliable soft treatment that’s simple to snap onto iPhone 16, but still robust enough to safeguard it from drops and other mishaps.
I have only had a chance to check out the totally clear model, so I can’t comment on my thoughts about the graphite and frosted black treatments, but everything else will apply to those models as well.
The MagSafe implementation here works great and there are matching TPU button covers atop all of the iPhone 16 controls that all function as you would expect – they are not quite as tactile as the higher end metal treatments, but no one was expecting that at under $30, were they?
You’ll find the usual raised lips and edges surrounding your screen and camera array here as expected for tabletop protection – this is another case where the lip around the display is a touch too large and protrusive for my taste, but it’s starting to feel like every case over the last couple years is for me (remember how sweet the old Apple leather was in this regard?!?). Frankly most folks want and/or need this extra lift around the display, I’m just not one of them.
A quick note on branding, because this is what I do. We are good here too. Nothing but a very subtle “Spigen” text on the side edge of the case is seen here and, while I would prefer the brand used its small logo in its place, I’m not particular offended by the implementation here.
Before we get into the main event here, I think it’s important to say this is a Spigen case through and through. It’s not particularly high-end but still manages to feel a touch more premium than some of the other budget-friendly competition in this price range. This is what Spigen does best, and it’s what, at least on this model, it is doing again here.
Camera Control – much better than I thought it would be
Okay, now let’s talk Camera Control…that is after all why most of us are here right now.
Spigen describes the tech/build it has in place to properly cover the Camera Control as follows: “Touch-sensitive and capacitive T cover for seamless Camera Control Button functionality.”
There is no mention of sapphire crystal or terms like capacitive touch, the way we see on Apple, Beats, and OtterBox cases, but I can confirm it does work, and it works well.
Some folks have, let’s call it complained, for lack of a better term, that the naked iPhone 16’s Camera Control button takes some getting used to. Some have even said that they are taking pictures by accident when trying to trigger the “soft” double tap required to access the various camera modes…I too have had these issues to some degree, but am already starting to get, at least a bit, better at it.
I can personally confirm that Spigen’s Camera Control button cover does indeed work, and does translate all of the stock finger gestures Apple is offering right through the button easily and reliably. Good news all around.
And perhaps this is just the rookie Camera Control user in me talking, but it almost feels easier to control than the naked button itself. It almost makes the button just a touch less sensitive – you can still swipe and slide with ease, soft double press (I find a soft double tap works better both with and without the case), and so on, but I’m definitely taking less accidental photos with this case on than not.
Obviously this sort of thing is going to vary from person to person, but I did have a couple folks give it go and there impressions ranged from being largely in line with mine, to the soft double press takes a second to get used to, all the way over to being indifferent (it’s the same with or without the case, in other words).
Now let’s talk the look of it. One thing, at least to my eyes, that was worrisome for me just looking at the marketing photos for the Spigen Camera Control case was that the actual Camera Control button was inset lower than the button frame that surrounds it. Maybe this was just something I thought I was seeing that you didn’t, but the entire white Camera Control button cover here is entirely flush with both itself and the body of the case.
This makes the whole thing both look a little better than I thought it would in my opinion, but it made me think I might accidentally start triggering the button and opening the Camera app…this is also not true and hasn’t happened to me once yet.
So for some final thoughts…this is a good case! I really didn’t think the third-party brands were going to be able to pull this off as good as Spigen has here, but I have definitely been proven wrong. Again, results may vary from person to person, but everything works rock-solid for me and is entirely responsive as well. Plus you get it for nearly 40% less than the official Apple and Beats cases.
Buy the Spigen Ultra Hybrid T iPhone 16 Camera Control Case
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