Caudabe Veil iPhone Case review: It doesn't get any slimmer than this

The profile of the iPhone 12 and its big brother the iPhone 12 Pro Max is sleek and slim, which is why a lot of people prefer not to weight it down with a big, bulky case. On the other hand, clumsy people like me buy big fat cases for the protective benefits. So, when it comes to buying a thin case, you have to consider your lifestyle to make sure it's a good fit for you. One thing is for sure, though; the Caudabe Veil is the thinnest, slimmest iPhone case I have ever seen.

This paper-thin case is made of a stiff, yet flexible, plastic material that just barely extends past the iPhone screen and camera. This does provide a slight barrier of protection against minor drops and impacts. The light, translucent design is pleasing to look at and feels good in the hand. This is minimalism at its finest. I like the case, but I don't know if it will be a permanent solution for me. I'll go into more of those details below.

Caudabe Veil Case: Price and availability

If you're shopping for an iPhone 12, the only place to buy the Caudabe Veil is the official Caudabe website, where it goes for $25. If you need a Veil case for a previous model however, like the iPhone 11, you can find the Caudabe Veil at major retailers like Amazon and Walmart. It generally stays around $25, but if it goes on sale, we'll be sure to highlight it in our deals section.

Caudabe Veil Case: Slim is in

It doesn't get much closer to a naked iPhone. Since the Veil is basically weightless, the be-Veiled iPhone 12 Pro Max feels naked in the hand. There's no distinguishable difference in size, shape, and sleekness. The only difference here is the grippy texture that helps you hold onto the iPhone. The subtle texture of the Caudabe Veil seems to grip onto your fingers, making you less likely to drop the iPhone.

Since the iPhone is a beautiful piece of design, I like a case that shows off its sleek size and shape. There are additional conveniences to a super thin case, as well. The Veil is the case I use especially for nights out on the town. If I need to slip my phone into a clutch or into a back pocket, a slim case like this one makes it a lot easier. The slim profile of the iPhone in the Veil case is a noticeable difference from the usual ultra-protective cases I use. That brings me to protection.

There are a few features of the Veil case that provide some minimal protection. First, the paper-thin material does protect reliably against scratches. Also, the slightly raised edges around the screen and camera provide some protection from minor drops and falls. Me being me, I did happen to drop my iPhone 12 Pro Max a few feet in this case, but there was no visible damage. Honestly, having such a thin case makes me nervous, but I was surprised and pleased to find that the iPhone was no worse for wear after a few drops in the Veil case. However, that nervousness is what I need to address in the next section.

Caudabe Veil Case: Good thing it's grippy

Look, I've broken some iPhones. Let's say I know exactly how much it costs to repair an iPhone screen in several different continents. For that reason, a super thin case like this makes me nervous. I have a tendency to drop things, so I've been holding on to my iPhone extra tightly in this case. (Perhaps I should have been doing that all along?) Luckily, the grippy texture of this case does make it easier to hold on to.

Like I mentioned earlier, the iPhone did drop a few feet in the Caudabe Veil with no harm done. But then, I once dropped my iPhone down an entire flight of concrete stairs (luckily in a bulky case at the time), and I'm not too sure that the Veil would hold up to such a fall. So, while I love the thin, trim look of an ultra-thin case, it won't be a permanent solution. I keep it on when I'm carrying a small purse or when I need to slip into a jeans pocket, but if I'm traveling or carting my kids about, a bigger, more protective case gives me better peace of mind.

Caudabe Veil Case: Competition

A case that's only 0.35mm thick is exceedingly rare. The only other one I know of is the Peel case. This one is just as thin as the Caudabe Veil. I've never personally used the Peel, but I assume it also has raised edges around the screen and camera. The Peel Case offers more colorways, but it's slightly more expensive than the Caudabe case at $30. The two cases are very similar, but the Caudabe Veil might be the better deal price-wise.

Caudabe Veil Case: Should you buy it?

• You want the thinnest case around to keep the sleek size and shape of a naked iPhone.
• You don't lead an extreme (or super clumsy) lifestyle.
• You enjoy a grippy texture to hold on to.

• You're exceedingly rough on your iPhones.
• You drop your phone often.

The benefits of the Caudabe Veil case are simple and evident. It's one of the thinnest cases you can buy. For those that love to go case-less but worry about minor drops or scratches, this is a great solution. It's also the closest thing you'll get to a naked iPhone. The slim, sleek design will squeeze easily into tight spaces and pockets, but the grippy texture won't slip out of your fingers. The translucent frost colorway is also easy on the eyes. It looks nice on my Pacific Blue iPhone, but it would also look lovely on a white, silver, or gold iPhone. If you're a butterfingers like me, however, it might have to be reserved as your "night out on the town" case, because I'm not sure it would hold up to a truly bad fall. This is a call you'll have to make based on your habits and lifestyle.