Arc Pulse - an extraordinary iPhone case put to the test

Arc Pulse Design Case iPhone Test

A long time ago I had a blog post about crowdfunding the Arc Pulse. At that time it was not quite clear whether the project would actually find enough supporters to enable it to be produced. Arc Pulse has now taken this hurdle without any problems and is now can be ordered online.

The Arc team kindly provided me with a free copy of the Arc Pulse for the iPhone 12 Pro Max. I received the black aluminum version. Thanks for that!

Update 14.10.2021/XNUMX/XNUMX: drop test, fit test and matt aluminum design

I just received feedback from Arc in response to my article. You gave me some interesting information:

  1. There are on theirs YouTube Channel a video with a Drop test.
  2. An another video shows how tight the Arc Pulse is on the iPhone.
  3. And there will soon be a black, matt aluminum model for the iPhone 13 - as I wanted it to be in the review below. Yes!
The packaging of the Arc Pulse puzzles me: If you pull the loop at the bottom, the lower AND the upper drawer opens. I have no idea how this is technically solved, but I don't want to take the pack apart either (Photos: Sir Apfelot).
The packaging of the Arc Pulse puzzles me: If you pull the loop at the bottom, the lower AND the upper drawer opens. I have no idea how this is technically solved, but I don't want to take the pack apart either (Photos: Sir Apfelot).

Voucher code for Sir Apfelot readers

The makers of the Arc Pulse have sent me a voucher code for you. With “SIRAPFELOT” you can at the cash desk at Arc Get a $ 10 discount on the purchase of an Arc Pulse.

Arc Pulse - a minimalist design iPhone case

If you look at the Arc Pulse, you will quickly see that this "shell" is anything but normal. In principle, the Arc Pulse is a design case for the iPhone, which is absolutely minimalistic, but still elegant.

The makers of the Arc Pulse put it this way:

How does it feel to hold iPhone without a case? With Arc Pulse you can finally enjoy the iPhone experience and protect it at the same time - without compromise. At Arc, you are at the center of our development efforts.

Arc Pulse is basically an iPhone case for people who don't want a case, because every case spoils the nice feeling you have when you have an iPhone without a case in your hand.

The Arc Pulse cover is almost invisible from the front. The black elements of the Arc Pulse can only be seen on the corners of the iPhone (Photos: Sir Apfelot).
The Arc Pulse cover is almost invisible from the front. The black elements of the Arc Pulse can only be seen on the corners of the iPhone (Photos: Sir Apfelot).

The materials: aluminum and titanium

There was definitely no saving in the production of the Arc Pulse. The design case can be made of aluminum and Titan preserved, although both models still have a thin rubber insert that prevents scratches on the iPhone.

The workmanship is also flawless - which is what you can expect from the price of the Arc Pulse: the aluminum version costs 99 euros and the titanium version is available for 189 euros. There are no sharp edges or other unclean areas.

For the titanium version, I unfortunately had to poke the photo from the Arc website, as I only have the aluminum version (Photo: Arc)
For the titanium version, I unfortunately had to poke the photo from the Arc website, as I only have the aluminum version (Photo: Arc)

Reliable hold on the iPhone

The seat is also quite clever, because you just slide the two Arc Pulse elements over the iPhone and they are so precisely worked that they sit securely. The good fit is of course also created by the rubber elements that are attached to the inside of the Arc Pulse. In any case, you can be sure that nothing shifts or wobbles here.

Here you can see the thin rubber layer, which is incorporated in the Arc Pulse and holds the iPhone with a lot of grip.
Here you can see the thin rubber layer, which is incorporated in the Arc Pulse and holds the iPhone with a lot of grip.

Supported iPhone Models

On the Arc website you can find a selection of the iPhone models for which an Arc Pulse can currently be ordered:

  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13mini
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12

For each model there is the Arc Pulse made of aluminum or titanium. The aluminum version is painted glossy black, while the titanium version looks like it is chrome-plated.

Little material and as much iPhone feeling as possible - that is the goal of the Arc Pulse.
Little material and as much iPhone feeling as possible - that is the goal of the Arc Pulse.

Reading tip in between:

And by the way, the Arc Pulse has nothing to do with it HDMI ARC to do.

The protective effect of the Arc Pulse

I tried the model for the iPhone 12 Pro Max and I have to say that I still find that my iPhone feels too "naked" with the Arc Pulse. Everything is protected by the minimalist cover. - There is even a frame around the camera module, which protrudes further than the camera hump. If the iPhone falls on a flat floor, it inevitably has to hit the Arc Pulse and is thus protected.

Only a fall on a rocky surface with stones sticking out could lead to damage to the iPhone with the Arc Pulse, which cannot prevent the case - but no normal case helps either, only armored glass on the iPhone display.

Of course, for some people the design of the Arc Pulse is “uglier” than a transparent plastic case, but with these you don’t have an iPhone in your hand, just silicone. TPU or the material from which the cover was made.

Here you can see my iPhone 12 Pro Max from the back. The Arc Pulse case is not invisible or transparent, but it is definitely a design protective case.
Here you can see my iPhone 12 Pro Max from the back. The Arc Pulse case is not invisible or transparent, but it is definitely a design protective case.

My conclusion on the Arc Pulse

What I found really nice during my test with the Arc Pulse was the feeling of having an iPhone in my hand without a “condom”. I haven't had direct contact with the metal frame of my iPhone models for years and somehow it feels nicer than a TPU or silicone case.

I think, given the price, the Arc Pulse case is definitely not for everyone. But if you like the iPhone design and would prefer to use it without a case, but don't dare to do it due to your own clumsiness, you should fall into the target group of the Arc Pulse.

The Arc Pulse case somehow convinced me. You have really little additional material on the iPhone and still have good protection. There is only one little thing that I would like to criticize: The aluminum version looks somehow, due to the paintwork, as if it were made of plastic. Here a version made of brushed aluminum would have been more suitable for the iPhone - but maybe that will come soon ?!

If you want to take a look at the case, you can do so here on the Arc website . make

Thanks to the iPhone 13 Pro Max macro mode, I was able to take a picture of this corner and show you that the thin rubber layer is between the aluminum and the iPhone.
Thanks to the iPhone 13 Pro Max macro mode, I was able to take a picture of this corner and show you that the thin rubber layer is between the aluminum and the iPhone.
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12 Responses to “Arc Pulse – an extraordinary iPhone case under test”

  1. Interesting, not cheap, but who likes it. I bought a case for my 13 MaxPro. I think that's safer, as a technician I have the part in my work trousers, and sometimes a second cell phone.

    1. Yes, that's a little luxury design iPhone case ... surely nothing for everyone. I have just received feedback from Arc that they will now also get matt aluminum parts for the iPhone 13. I think this is something I might get.

  2. Quite nice, but the drops shown in the drop test exactly on the corner are more in the truest sense of the word the ideal case.
    I would be less afraid of sharp stones, more of curbs, door sills, landings or anything on the ground.

  3. I bought the Arc Pulse in titanium for a 12 Pro Max myself.
    Actually, I DO NOT need the protection as my phones do NOT always fall off (no kidding).
    The best thing about the Arc pulse is that you have the iPhone right in your hand and it no longer wobbles on the table.

  4. I'm a little disappointed in the expensive product. The lower piece is now often coming off, I wouldn't have expected it after 3 months of use.

    1. Oh I'm sorry. Have you ever written to the guys at Arc? I can't imagine they won't help you out in some way. ;-)

      1. I just did it, I'm excited! I would have expected a longer holding time for such an expensive product, considering what else you spend on cases.

        1. Incidentally, Arc didn't get in touch again, but then I rinsed out the rubber from the lower half under water and let it dry. Now it's holding up again (I've done it twice from December so far).
          I am currently considering buying the case again for the 14, the prices have also been adjusted.
          The aluminum for the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max costs €70,21 and the titanium €105,91.

          Currently arc has some translation issues on the site and recommend putting the site in English, this time they replied to the support ticket.

          1. Hi Jonas! Great, thanks for the feedback. Rinsing is a good tip. And then I'm looking forward to your feedback on the iPhone 14 Arc! Technically, probably not that much will have changed... but let's see what you say.

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