Review: Apple Leather Case for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

Apple's leather cases for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are only one option out of many you have when it comes to picking protective shielding for your device. What drew me to this case in particular, however, was its thin profile and the ease of which I could remove and put it back on. A few weeks in, is it still as great as I thought it would be?

I chose the black version of Apple's leather case for my iPhone 6 Plus, and opted for the soft pink version for my iPhone 6. Silicon has never really appealed to me, as it seems to stick to the inside of your pockets and pick up specks of lint and dust. This made the leather version the obvious choice, and after testing, it does not pick up any debris the way silicon cases do. A huge plus in my book.

The first thing I noticed about these cases is that they are incredibly easy to snap into place — and, a much welcome surprise, they are just as simple to take off. I've always had a love/hate relationship with covers, and one of my frustration points has been difficulty in removing a case from my device. If it's too much trouble to take off, I will throw the case in a drawer and never look at it again. Then again, I'm the type of person that likes to switch between rocking my iPhone caseless and keeping it in protected when I need to. That may not be a problem other people run into, especially if you choose to put a case on and leave it be.

Previously, I never opted to get the Apple Leather Case for my older iPhone models because I felt it added some bulk and thickness. The iPhone 6 and 6 Plus's slimmer profiles may just be creating the illusion that this case is slimmer, but it certainly feels that way: It adds almost no heft to either phone. I notice the case slightly more on the iPhone 6, but that's mostly due to the surface area being smaller. The black cover on a space grey iPhone 6 Plus just feels like it blends in.

While I love the feel of a caseless iPhone just as much as the next person, I do find that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus are rather slippery when left uncovered. I'm careful and don't tend to worry about this too often but any time I know I'm going to be in a crowded place, I like to snap on a case. The Apple Leather Case is a nice compromise: It adds just enough grip to feel like I have a better hold on it.

When I first picked up the cases, the volume buttons and power button were slightly hard to press. After a few days of using the cases, however, that eased up and I now have no difficulty. I do worry that the soft pink color of my iPhone 6's case may show dirt over time or become yellowed, but only time will tell.

The good

Doesn't pick up pocket lint or debris
Slides into pockets easily
Adds virtually no bulk
Allows you to set your iPhone face down on a table with no damage to the screen
Access to all ports and switches
Easy to take off and put back on with little hassle

The bad

If you're clumsy, this case isn't going to provide you maximum protection
Pricier than many other options
Not a large selection of colors available

The bottom line

If you're looking for a stylish case that feels nice in your hand and adds some grip, the Apple Leather Case is a great option. I love how easy it is to remove and put back on, which makes it a great option for anyone who switches cases often or prefers to only use cases when they have to (like me).

The Apple Leather Case will protect your iPhone 6 or 6 Plus from minor drops and spills, but don't expect too much. If you're particularly accident-prone, a more durable case is probably a better option.

Apple Leather Case for iPhone 6 - $45 - Buy now (opens in new tab)
Apple Leather Case for iPhone 6 Plus - $49 - Buy now (opens in new tab)

iMore senior editor from 2011 to 2015.

30 Comments

It's a great case, just can't warrant the cost.
I know a lot of people received one during the pre order fiasco. I like the leather but it does not justify the cost.
I have several different cases from Spigen to Case-Mate to both versions of the Apple cases... and I have stuck with the leather Apple one (brown on my space gray iP6) and for me it is the best of the bunch by far. It fits perfect, over laps the screen just a bit and feels great in the hand. And it is wearing pretty cool and actually looks better than when it was new. I like the open bottom on this version as oppose to the cutouts that were with the 5/5S version -- makes fitting accessories and non-Apple peripherals much more possible. $45 for a great case that will last the lifetime of the iPhone with good protection is not too much money (IMO).
Ditto
I have mixed feelings about the open bottom, it has clear benefits but it just doesn't look as good as the 5s version, and for a expensive case that doesn't focus on protection its mostly about looks/feel.
i have the leather as well, but find it to be too flimsy so i never use it. i like the look of my phone without a case anyways.
I went into the Apple store to look at these cases. Having bought cases on Ebay that were actually pretty good, I wanted to see the quality of the Apple Leather.
The leather appears VERY thin, making me wonder if the case will hold up with any moisture (like if it was in your pocket). The leather looks nice, bit I dont think it will last very long. For$50, I can buy several different cases on Ebay, and they will work great and last.
Had one on my 5s and I had the same concern but holds up great and carry my phone in my pocket. This is why bought one for my 6 and my 6+.
Love the thinness, finish and feel in the hand. Don't love the price, but what I absolutely despise is the open-bottom design. For that reason alone, I opted for the Belkin Grip Case instead. Not as pretty, but at least it covers all four sides and still gives me access to the lightning and headphone jacks. Much cheaper too.
I love the leather case and bought it on release day - this was my first time owning one. It feels great and adds no bulk to the phone at all. I'm normally very careful with my phone so when I'm not at work, that's what it wears. When I am at work though it'll usually be in my Spigen Slim Armor. Ideal and looks okay!
I too have had problems with other silicon cases becoming lint magnets, but that is not a problem with the Apple case. The silicon Apple case also does not stick to the inside of my pocket. I am not sure what Apple did differently with their silicon case, but it is working. I opted to go with silicon over leather because I run 40 miles a week with my iPhone strapped to my arm and I thought silicon would hold up better than leather to perspiration. I have a gray and a red case and love using both on alternating weeks. Sent from the iMore App
I opted for the green silicone version. I wipe it off with a damp cloth on a weekly basis, and it still looks great. I had been leaning toward the red leather case, but the Smart Cover I had for my iPad became discolored from the oil on my skin.
I have both the leather and the silicone and noticed that the leather one shows a lot more scuffs and scratches than the silicone. Sent from the iMore App
I LOVE my black leather iPhone 6 Plus case. Like, it's the first case I've had on an iPhone in the last 4 years that I've actually liked. It's slim, sturdy, and slightly grippy without pulling my pocket out with it. Also, I've scratched it with a few different things, including a craggy fingernail once, and even though it puffed up just a bit, it calmed down and still looks like new. Great product, especially for Apple.
I couldn't justify the cost. I have seen several nice cases that cost half that. I did look at one in store and it seemed to be a nice case.
I have an Apple silicone case, and I don't have problems with it attracting lint. I also don't have problems with getting it in or out of my pocket.
I chose it over the leather because I wanted a grippy case. It's actually quite smooth though.
Thanks for the review of the leather case though. Sent from the iMore App
Cost: Yes it's expensive. But my phone is an $800 phone. A $49 case for this phone is reasonable. Protection: I assume it won't protect against drops like an Otterbox. But that's ok, I have Applecare in case of a huge impact. But the 6 Plus is kind of slippery. The Apple leather case feels good in my hand, lets me set my phone anywhere, front or back facing down, and I don't worry about scuffing the phone back or the screen. Usage: I normally hate cases and never use them long term because they add bulk and start to look bad after a while. With this case, I don't notice the added bulk. It's black so it hasn't discolored and it seems to wear pretty good. It's easy to take in and out of my pockets. It's probably the best phone case I've ever owned.
Have two phones I carry 6 and 6+ both are Space Gray and have the black leather case on them. Tried the Olive Brown on the 6+ which wasn't bad looking on it but preferred the black so I exchanged it. Love the elegant look, thinness and leather feel. Never really liked case but with these phones won't carry them without. Got my 6 on launch day and carried without case and exactly one week later dropped it and shattered screen because it landed on corner. If would have had this case on it that would not have happened and probably would not have dropped. I got lucky and got a replacement 6 the next day from Apple for $109.00. A lot of comments here about not justifying the cost of the case but as old saying goes 'you get what you pay for' just depends personally preference. If can justify it I do recommend it highly.
The biggest reason I like the Apple leather case for my 6 Plus? It just thick enough to hide the camera lens bump and lets the phone lay flat on a table or desk.
+1 Sent from the iMore App
I'd like to know your feedback after using the soft pink(looks beige to me) version for a while. I like these leather cases. Just big enough to cover the lens when laying the 6+ flat. I had the soft pink version for the 5S and after a few days it started discoloring and became black/brown, tried to wipe it down thinking it was just dirt but the leather color was actually wearing off. I took it back to the Apple Store cause it was within the return period. I like the color but the discoloration kind of put me off. The red/black ones are great.
I had the red leather one for my old 5 a while back and had to return it after a couple of weeks as it looked like crap. It's a shame as it was easily the best made case I'd used and hand-feel was perfect. Now I rock Elago cases exclusively.
A friend of mine had the exact same experience with the exact same case. Sent from the iMore App
I bought the black leather case for my iPhone 6 Plus when I first got it but since the phone took a while to arrive, I was able to order various other cases from eBay that were a fraction of the cost and am still using a translucent grippy hard silicone one. Mostly because I find the leather very slippery by comparison and it's too expensive for me to want to use it, so it just sits on my desk as a display piece, looking pretty and new. Sent from the iMore App
LAME - if you would actually use the case you will see that once it breaks in it becomes much more gripier, did you ever play baseball as a kid and had to break in your new kit?
I've had the apple leather case for my 5/5s and now the black leather case for my 6+, I love the way the leather looks and feel. I go between this my spigen bumper and case-less. I also have apple care if your going to spend over $650 on a phone you really shouldn't complain on spending $50 on a case. Sent from the iMore App
I purchased a case from Adopted and it looks great on my iPhone 6. It leather and the price was only 40.00. Not bad in my opinion. Sent from the iMore App
Great case, with the obligatory Apple tax. I paid it. Glad I did. Bought many other cases too. Just can find one that has that same feel as this one. Hard to explain. Sent from the iMore App
Love the case, but found that it causes flash glare. When taking flash photos I remove the case. Anyone else having the same issue?
If your looking for a nicer premium genuine leather wallet case check this one out from fliptroniks on amazon http://www.amazon.com/Fliptroniks-Panther-Genuine-Leather-Premium/dp/B00...

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