Twelve South SurfacePad for iPhone 12 REVIEW | MacSources

When a little protection is all you need.

Trying to find a way to minimize your everyday carry items? The SurfacePad is the perfect minimalist case that doubles as a wallet. I’ve always been a big proponent of keeping your phone in a case so that it stays damage-free. There are so many different types of cases available that it can be hard to determine the best option for your particular situation. I do like cases that have more than one purpose and the SurfacePad definitely falls into that category.

DETAILS

The SurfacePad is a slim leather case that wraps around the iPhone to provide protection from scratches. The case covers the front and back, but the sides are open on three of the four sides of the phone. The case is made from Napa leather and includes two card slots for convenience. Because it is made with real leather, the case will gain a natural patina over time. Twelve South designed the SurfacePad to be MagSafe compatible. Even though the case is adhesive, it can be removed and installed many times (as long as the leather isn’t stretched out and the adhesive is kept clean and dry).

USER EXPERIENCE

The SurfacePad is a unique case in that it sticks to the phone instead of the phone being snapped into a plastic-based shell. With the installation of the SurfacePad, you end up sticking the case to the back of the phone. While this can be a little intimidating, it’s important to remember that the case can be installed multiple times if needed. So, even if you misalign it the first time, you can try again. It’s important to clean the phone before installing the case. This leads me to the only major critique I have. Twelve South does not include a cleaning wipe with the case. This would be incredibly helpful since it’s essential for the successful adherence of the case to the phone. That said, once you have the back of the phone clean, you simply need to line up the case with the camera lenses. This is the best option for a guide on the phone. Once the case is lined up properly with the back of the phone, let the…