Apple Will Show off iPhone XR’s Colors with New Crystal Clear Cases

Apple is planning to release a see-through clear case for its upcoming iPhone XR handset when it drops on Oct. 29.

This fact was first spotted by Twitter user @Ivanincanda, who noticed that the original press release for the iPhone XR in Canada mentions that a clear case would be available for the device at launch.

The reference to clear cases appears in Canada and certain other regions. But interestingly, no mention of the clear case is made on Apple’s U.S. site or any U.S.-based press releases.

According to @Ivanincanada’s photo, the clear case will retail for $55 CAD. That translates to about $40 in U.S. currency, around the same price as Apple’s current silicone cases.

A clear case makes sense for the iPhone XR lineup, as the mid-range device will come in a variety of bright and colorful shades — including white, black, blue, coral, yellow and (PRODUCT)RED.

Images of the case were reportedly leaked to 9to5Mac. They depict an accessory that pretty much looks how you’d expect it to.

It’s a simple ordeal with the standard suite of cutouts for the rear camera and protrusions for the various analog buttons. It appears that there’s a cutout on the bottom, allowing for easier access to the Lightning port and gesture-based controls.

We also expect Apple to debut other case styles for the iPhone XR, like its standard silicone and leather options.

At this point, it’s not clear (no pun intended) if there will be similar Apple clear cases for the iPhone XS or XS Max.

On the other hand, there are some third-party clear cases for the iPhone XS and XS Max which sport decent reviews on Amazon currently — including this model from Spigen.

That being said, as we’ve written about before, you’re taking a gamble if you buy a case that’s marketed as compatible for iPhone X and XS. Because of slight camera dimension differences, iPhone X cases will not fit the iPhone XS.

According to Amazon reviews, older versions of the Spigen case won’t fit — while newer versions do. Make sure to confirm with the Amazon seller that the case is specifically made for the iPhone XS. (iPhone XS Max cases don’t have this problem.)

The iPhone XR, which starts at $749, will become available for preorder next Friday, Oct. 19. It’ll ship to customers and stores on Oct. 26. The clear case will probably debut around that timeframe, too.