The Lowdown
The Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro excels in making the iPhone 13 Pro substantially easier to grip than the naked device, and it adds some additional scratch protection when placed down on tables or slipped in and out of a pocket. The added strength of the MagSafe magnets is a big plus too.
Overall
Pros
- Slim as possible
- Excellent MagSafe compatibility
- Available in more than plain black
Cons
- It would offer a modicum of additional protection if the top and bottom were covered
I’m sure I’m not alone in wanting to keep my device as slim as possible without totally compromising on its protection, and that is where cases like the Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro for iPhone 13 come in.
Apple has been making its devices bigger and heavier, and the iPhone 13 series is no exception. It may not seem like a lot, but at 7.7mm deep, the top-of-the-line 13 Pro is over 10% thicker than the thinnest iPhone ever, the iPhone 6, which was only 6.9mm.
This is, of course, before you put a case on it. I’ve been using one of Apple’s silicone cases since the iPhone 13 Pro launch to not only protect my device from drops but make it far less easy to drop in the first place.
Polished steel sides and a slick glass back do not make for a grippy combination; that much is certain.
The Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro is an aramid fiber case, which means it’s both super light and thin while retaining its rigidity.
Included in the box are two thin rubber pads to adhere to the inside of the case should the fit not be 100% perfect. Neither was required with the case I received, and the fit looks to be excellent.
I selected the Red/Orange option, partly due to the Black/Blue version not being available yet. In the light, the color is just as it appears in photos and on their website, with a vibrancy and brightness that stands out far better than the standard Black/Grey version.
I have owned two of these cases from Pitaka in the past (Black/Blue for the iPhone 12 and the Black/Grey for the iPhone 12 mini), and while the Black/Grey looks very sophisticated, it’s nice to have a few color options available in this style of case material.
It’s worth noting straight up that if you’re looking for the ultimate protection, the Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro is not the case for you. There are no impact-absorbing rubber bumpers, nor does it provide complete protection for the top and bottom of the device.
I do wish Pitaka had extended the coverage to the complete top and bottom of the device. In years past, Apple’s genuine cases had the same gap across the top and bottom, and it compromises the protection on offer.
The lip of the front of the case when the phone is inside is also very minimal, so it doesn’t offer much display protection if you like putting your phone face-down on a table.
With a tempered glass screen protector (like I have fitted), the lip of the case is essentially flush with the surface of the glass. This makes this case sound like a waste of time, but drop protection is only one of the things a case is useful for.
The Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro says their “unique vacuum forming process” is used to coat the case with their “3D Grip Technology” to provide a grippier surface. In practice, this works very well.
While not as glued-to-your-hand as the Apple silicon case I’ve been using, the Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro is far more comfortable to hold than the bare device and significantly more secure in your hand as well.
A robust ring around the iPhone 13 Pro’s enormous camera bump and lenses offers additional protection when lying on a table. Still, it isn’t so large as to get in the way of magnetic accessories.
This leads us neatly to the other key feature of the Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro: MagSafe.
Previous Pikata cases have been interesting for their inclusion of Pitaka’s own “MagEZ” accessory ecosystem, providing magnetic charging and mount options that far predate Apple’s MagSafe system.
Thankfully, Pitaka has embraced MagSafe for the iPhone 13 generation, meaning that MagSafe battery banks, wallets, mounts, and other accessories will work perfectly with the Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro for iPhone 13.
Anyone that uses MagSafe daily knows that having matching magnets in the case is key to a secure connection. In my experience, compared with the official Apple silicon case, the Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro feels like it has a stronger magnetic connection to every MagSafe (and MagSafe compatible) accessory I own.
The Apple MagSafe Wallet fits very securely, with less twisting than the Apple Silicon case. The same is true for the Apple MagSafe battery, which doesn’t have any issues with the fit around the large camera bump (and the case’s lip around it).
The generic “MagSafe” charging car vent mount in all my cars grip the iPhone 13 Pro far more tightly than with Apple’s case too.
While I’m happy with the amount of protection the case provides for much of my day-to-day use, it feels like one that’s best combined with AppleCare+. A serious drop, especially onto a less-than-smooth surface, is likely to end rather poorly for the iPhone 13 Pro inside. That accidental damage coverage is likely to come in handy.
The Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro excels in making the iPhone 13 Pro substantially easier to grip than the naked device, and it adds some additional scratch protection when placed down on tables or slipped in and out of a pocket. The added strength of the MagSafe magnets is a big plus too.
The Pitaka MagEZ Case Pro for iPhone 13 retails for $64.99; it is available directly from the manufacturer.
Source: Personal purchase
What I Like: Slim as possible; Excellent MagSafe compatibility; Available in more than plain black
What Needs Improvement: It would offer a modicum of additional protection if the top and bottom were covered