I reviewed Speck’s Presidio case for the iPhone 7 last year. Slimmer AND more protective, it replaced their CandyShell line. I was impressed. (Read my review.) I’m now using a Presidio case with my iPhone X, but it isn’t just any Presidio case. No, this is the Speck Presidio Mount and it works with Scosche’s MagicMount line. I love it!
Much about the Speck Presidio Mount for iPhone X remains the same. (There is also one for the iPhone 7/8 that Raina is using. That is, in fact, the case I used for pictures in this review.) It is slim, protective and available in your choice of Black/ Black, Graphite Grey/Charcoal Grey, Velour Pink/Black and Candytuft Purple/Hyacinth Purple.
It is still has a polycarbonate outer shell and an interior of a shock-absorbing material the company calls IMPACTIUM.
The two layers are combined into a one-piece case that is tested to protect your phone from drops up to 10 feet. (I haven’t tried it but I’ll take Speck’s word on this.)
Also, the case has a raised edge around the screen that is high enough to protect the delicate glass if it placed face down on a surface but not so high that it interferes with your interactions with the screen.
In other words, while this thin case does not look highly protective, it is.
All that was, however, true when I reviewed the line a year ago. What makes this new case different is that it was designed in partnership with Scosche for use with Scosche’s MagicMount line. More specifically, since the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and X offer wireless charging, this case was designed for use with Scosche’s Qi-enabled MagicMounts. In other words, the case holds the phone on the mount magnetically while allowing it to wirelessly charge. It’s like magic… but it is real.
Speck describes the case as a
Slim protective case with embedded steel plates securely attaches to magnetic mounts
Now, this may not sound like much but let’s take a minute to think about the design process that must have gone into creating this case.
First, there is the Qi wireless charging.
I love the convenience of wireless charging. For it to work properly though, a case needs to be thin enough for the Qi charger and the receiver built into the phone to interact. That means wallet-style cases are out. Is also means thick, protective cases are likely out. But if a case is too thin, it will protect your phone from scratches, but that’s about it. The Speck Presidio Mount is thin enough to let your phone charge wirelessly but is thick enough to protect it from a drop of up to ten feet. That’s pretty impressive.
Then there is the magnetic mounting.
As noted in my review of the Qi-enabled Scosche MagicMount, the company includes two different sets of metal plates that can be installed either on your phone or on a case in order to use the magnetic mount. Those plates need to be positioned in a rather precise manner in order to keep them from interfering with the wireless charging. The same goes for the Speck Presidio Mount.
You can see a bit of the outline of one of the two steel plates built into the case
It has two embedded and concealed steels plates built into the case that are positioned in such a way that they work with the magnetic mount while still allowing for wireless charging. I suspect the tolerances were fairly tight but Speck was able to design a case that looks like every other Presidio case but works with a magnetic mount AND allows the phone to wirelessly charge. Well done Speck.
It had been a while since I used a case from Speck consistently. With the $44.95 Presidio Mount and the Scosche MagicMount that has changed. I love knowing my iPhone is well protected and appreciate the convenience of both a magnetic mount and a wireless charging system. The combination is fantastic! I like it so much that I think I’ll be getting some additional Qi-enabled mounts from Scosche!
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of the Speck Presidio Mount
What I Like: Thin; Protective; Lay-on-the-table design; Steel plates built into the back for magnetic mounts
What Needs Improvement: $5 more than the regular Presidio case; Does not include a screen protector
