When I got the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro, I also got a TechWoven case with it. As cases go, it’s a bit bulky for my tastes–its biggest flaw for me is that it hinders USB-C connectivity with a non-Apple USB-C cable that has a wider connector. Also, it masks the Cosmic Orange color, except for the camera plateau. I like the orange and want it to show.
I poked around online to find a clear, thin case, and I found one that, after about a month of use, I like a lot: the Purluct Slim Case. Both the iPhone 17 Pro and the 17 Pro Max versions of the case sell for a little under $16 in the U.S. and £20 in the U.K.
I was a little hesitant to try the Purluct case, mostly because Purluct appears to be one of those Amazon-only brands that created its name using a random word generator. But at this price, I was willing to give it a try for a month, and so far, it’s been great. It’s a plastic case that snugly fits well, but it’s not difficult to remove if needed. This case actually covers the camera plateau, but it has holes for the lenses, sensors, and flash, and the plateau covering has a raised ridge so the lenses don’t contact the surface if you rest the phone on its back.
Purluct’s Amazon page says the case is “thinner than A4 paper,” and while I’m not sure about that claim, it’s certainly thin enough not to get in the way of any USB-C cables with wide connector casings that I’ve used. The case also does not hinder the use of the iPhone’s buttons.
The Purluct case covers the camera plateau but has openings. The case itself does show scratches; in this image, you can’t see it, but there is a scratch ring because of MagSafe connectors.
Foundry
The Purluct Amazon page also says the case is “anti-scratch,” which is true of the phone but not of the case itself. The back of the one I have has several scratches and a noticeable ring from attaching it to a MagSafe charger. I’m okay with that; I wasn’t expecting the case not to show wear. The image above shows scratches, especially along the edge of the case, but these scratches aren’t that noticeable when I hold the phone. I’ve dropped the phone several times, and the case is holding up well.
If you want a case that doesn’t show scratches, this one isn’t for you. If Purluct’s anti-scratch claim is that the case itself won’t scratch the iPhone when putting it on or taking it off, then so far that claim has held up. I cannot confirm if the case is protecting my phone from turning pink.
The small investment I made in the Purluct case has more than paid itself–my phone has been mishandled quite a bit for only being a month old and doesn’t show any signs of wear. If the Purluct case isn’t what you’re looking for, take a look at our best picks for iPhone 17 cases.
Author: Roman Loyola, Senior Editor, Macworld
Roman is a Macworld Senior Editor with over 30 years of experience covering the tech industry, focusing on the Mac and other products in the Apple ecosystem. He is also the host of the Macworld Podcast. His career started at MacUser, where he received Apple certification as a repair technician (when Apple did that kind of thing). He's also worked for MacAddict, MacLife, and TechTV.