iPhone 18 Pro Clear Case Test: Apple vs. RhinoShield vs. ROXX
Clear cases have a bad reputation, and usually they deserve it. The typical ones are made of soft rubber, have a flimsy frame and look yellowed after a few months. The three clear cases in this test are different. They’re real hard shells made from a firmer material that you can’t squeeze at all. I tested them on the iPhone 18 Pro Max for weight, protection, buttons and MagSafe holding strength. And with one of the three the result annoyed me, because it happens to be Apple’s.
The Contenders and Their Prices
Apple Clear Case: about $65. The original, with a covered Apple logo and an animation when you attach it.
ROXX Clear Case: about $33. The cheapest in the test.
RhinoShield Clear Case: about $52. This one also lets you slot in patterns and designs.
All three look very similar and are about equally thick. One difference shows up before you even insert the phone: on the ROXX and the RhinoShield the buttons rattle slightly while the case is empty. With the iPhone in, that mostly goes away. On the Apple case you don’t hear anything.
Weight
On the scale all three are close. Apple is lightest at 36 g, RhinoShield follows at 39 g, and ROXX weighs 42 g. Six grams is nothing you’ll notice day to day, but the point still goes to Apple.
MagSafe: The Big Difference
I measure holding strength with a force gauge on a MagSafe stand. My rule of thumb: anything above 1 kg is good, above 1.5 kg is very good. At 1.5 kg you can drive over cobblestones with the iPhone in a MagSafe car mount.
✓ RhinoShield: 2.13 kg, a new record in my tests
✓ ROXX: 1.69 kg
✗ Apple: 1.40 kg
That’s a surprise: Apple’s own case has the weakest MagSafe of the three. It’s still above my 1 kg line, but the RhinoShield holds far more strongly at 2.13 kg than anything I’ve measured before.
The Problem with Apple’s Clear Case
Here’s the part that spoiled the test for me. Apple’s clear case is completely open along the bottom, and the iPhone doesn’t sit tightly there. I can push it straight out of the case with my thumb. The TechWoven Case in my big case test had exactly the same problem, and back then I assumed I’d got a bad unit. Now it’s happening on a second Apple case.
Why that’s dangerous: if the iPhone hits asphalt in this case, the impact can push it out of the bottom. Then the display lands on the ground unprotected, no matter how good the lip of the case is. Only a screen protector saves you at that point, and you’ll find the ones worth buying in my iPhone 18 Pro screen protector test.
The open bottom has a second downside. The iPhone 18 Pro Max scratches easily on its aluminium frame. Get some sand in your pocket and it rubs freely along the bottom edge. None of the three clear cases has a microfiber lining, which comes with the material, but Apple’s is wide open at the bottom on top of that.
Apple probably did it so you can swipe more easily at the bottom edge. Swiping works just as well on the other two cases, though, and there the iPhone sits firmly.
Protection in Detail
All three are hard shells, though not rock hard. They give a tiny bit, and that’s a good thing in a fall, because the material absorbs energy.
Screen lip: all three stand above the display. On the ROXX there’s still about 2 mm of clearance even with a screen protector applied.
Camera protection: on the Apple the lenses don’t stick out, but there isn’t much room left. The RhinoShield has a slightly higher lip. The ROXX offers the most room, with space for a camera protector underneath.
Inner lining: none of the three. With a clear case that’s not possible anyway, or it wouldn’t be clear anymore.
Buttons and Camera Control
There are three approaches here. Apple uses the same material as the case, RhinoShield uses plastic buttons that stick out quite far, which does make them easy to feel, and ROXX uses metal buttons. The click is very good and clearly audible on all three.
Camera Control works fully on all of them: single press, double press, light press, swipe and shutter. That’s not a given, since this button is exactly where some cases fail.
Verdict: Which Clear Case Should You Buy?
- Thin, light, and easy to grip — this Apple-designed case shows off the brilliant colored finish of iPhone 18 Pro while providing extra protection.
- And it securely attaches to the Wrist Strap or the Crossbody Strap, allowing you to conveniently wear your iPhone hands-free.
- Crafted with a blend of optically clear polycarbonate and flexible materials, the case fits right over the buttons for easy use.
- This case works seamlessly with Camera Control.
- It features a sapphire crystal coupled to a conductive layer to communicate finger movements to Camera Control.
- LIKE THE ORIGINAL, BUT IMPROVED – Now with a closed bottom and integrated camera button. Everything you love about the original—for less than half the price!
- HARDCASE | SCREEN PROTECTION | CAMERA PROTECTION | SLIM – Maximum protection meets premium design and high-quality materials. This is protection done right!
- WON’T YELLOW LIKE OTHERS – The high-quality, unique material stays crystal clear and offers exceptional resistance to yellowing.
- THE BEST SCREEN PROTECTOR FOR YOUR ROXX CASE – Discover our Japanese ROXX glass: perfect fit, crystal clear, ultra-tough, and nearly invisible. Just search on Amazon and get full protection!
- COMPATIBLE WITH MAGSAFE ACCESSORY – Built-in high-strength magnet just like the original. Effortlessly use all your favorite accessories!
- Exceeds Military Drop Standards: The RHINOSHIELD case provides 3.5 m / 11 feet protection against drops, keeping your iPhone 18 Pro / 17 Pro safe from everyday impacts.
- Anti-yellowing Resistance: Made with RHINOSHIELD's proprietary material technology to achieve zero dots pattern and the highest level of transparency for long last. Show off your phone without compromise.
- Strong Endurance: Designed with ShockSpread LUX, a new generation high-impact material, this case is compatible with iPhone 18 Pro / 17 Pro and delivers maximum protection while preserving the phone’s original, beautiful appearance.
- Superior Magnetic Force: The magnetic force keeps your device securely in place. Say goodbye to dropped phones and hello to peace of mind with the MagSafe compatible case phone.
- BPA Free: Beyond protection, our cases are BPA, BPS, and BPF-free, safe for you and better for the planet.
Material-wise all three are excellent, which is why I picked these three in the first place. It’s not a soft rubber mix but a genuine hard shell that you can’t squeeze.
My pick is the ROXX Clear Case, because it’s the cheapest, the iPhone sits tightly, the camera lip is the highest and MagSafe holds strongly at 1.69 kg. If you want maximum MagSafe hold, for a car mount for example, get the RhinoShield at 2.13 kg.
I’d steer clear of the Apple Clear Case, as much as that pains me. It’s the highest price in the test, and for that you get the weakest MagSafe hold and a case the iPhone can slip out of in a fall.
More iPhone 18 Pro Tests
If you’d rather have a non-transparent case, you’ll find my winners in the comparison of the best iPhone 18 Pro cases. If you’re waiting for the foldable iPhone, see my tests of iPhone Duo cases and iPhone Duo screen protectors. And my free Charge Check tells you how fast your charger really charges your iPhone.