Bellroy iPhone 17 Cases review: New designs and materials

I've been riding around with my iPhones in Bellroy cases for the past few weeks. One has a slightly more durable construction, while the other uses Innovera's new faux leather fabric. I also used the Innovera MagSafe Wallet and loved its unique book shape.

I'll start with thise Venture business which I use for my iPhone 17 Pro Max. This is the company's more reliable option, and at $65, it's much cheaper than the Beats case I covered earlier. However, the Bellroy case is also easier to hold, with a simple strap and nice textured metal buttons.

I like the look of the case, but the Fog color I reviewed was more blue than I expected, so it looks a little awkward with the orange iPhone underneath. Both color options are more in line with the silver or blue iPhone 17 Pro models. It's not that important, but it's something to be aware of.

Of course, there's a pass-through capacitive sensor to control the camera, and I like the offset color of the button, which adds some contrast and technicality to the body. The button is also raised, so it doesn't fall into the same trap as the Beats' rugged body, which leaves your finger sitting on the control area the entire time.

You will also notice that there are grooves on the sides to provide traction. This arrangement gives your fingers something to press on and makes using a large phone a little easier. It's a small improvement, but it makes a big difference in how it feels when you hold it in your hands.

Finally, the lanyard is nice, but it's not for everyone. You can take it off if you want, but I will say that it has become one of my cat's favorite toys because he hits it when I'm on the phone and he's sitting next to me on the couch.

Bellroy MagSafe Wallet

Company magnetic wallet has a unique design where the front and back are folded together on one side, giving it the shape and feel of a small book. It's a little bulkier than Apple's version, but I still wouldn't call it big. On the contrary, the extra surface makes it easier to detach the phone.

The real secret trick is that the top corner folds down and when down it acts as a stand. You do need to work on the folds of the fabric when you first get it, but once it's worn out it will perform much better. However, it may not be the best stand accessory if you have a lightweight phone like the iPhone 17 or iPhone Air. If you have one on one of these phones, you'll want to make sure you use a case to provide the phone with extra friction so the phone doesn't slide around due to the force of the stand.

How does Innovera fabric feel?

The last case I tested was the Innovera Slim iPhone Air Case. It's not too bad, and the fabric definitely feels more like leather than leather. really cheap Elgo cases which I tested earlier. There is nothing special to say further, this is a standard case. It fits well but provides minimal drop protection.

It has nice clicky metal buttons that match the body, and I really like the taupe and butterscotch colors. Natural tones really remind me of leather, even if they don't go with typical leather colors. I think they will also patina well over time, but it will take some time. I've been using the wallet for two weeks now and it still looks like new.

The real downside to this case is that price about $75which really seems like too much for that. Moreover, the Venture case will cost $10 less. That said, both cases are pretty good, and if you're looking for a good leather alternative, this one will definitely do the trick.