Leather Case for iPhone 5, 5s and SE (2016)
The year 2013 not only marked the release of iOS 7, the first-ever version that was designed with taste, but also saw the introduction of two new iPhones, and the first attempt by Apple to create official cases (not bumpers!) for the iPhone.
The flagship model, iPhone 5s, featured an incredible and earth-shattering Apple A7 chip, along with Touch ID, a seamless and secure way to unlock the device, and a line-up of six cases made from natural aniline-dyed leather.
These leather cases were designed to fit snugly on the devices while maintaining a relatively slim profile. They featured precise cutouts for buttons and ports, as well as a soft microfiber lining for added protection. Apple's leather cases are designed to age beautifully, as the material develops a unique patina over time; this natural process enhances the appearance of the leather, giving it a rich and distinctive character that reflects its use and personal history.
Cases with relatively bright colors developed patina rather quickly, which sometimes resulted in some dissatisfied customers.
In 2016, with the release of the iPhone SE, Apple released new color options for Leather Case and kept adding new ones until Spring 2017.
And then, there was the Dock. It could only fit iPhone without the case, was only shipped in a white plastic finish, and had Lightning and 3.5 mm ports on the back. A nice addition for those who want to showcase their retro iPhones!
In the Wild
Nice review of Leather Case with lots of photos, multiple colors there: https://gadgetmac.com/reviews/apple-official-iphone-5s-case-review.html (opens in a new tab)
A very detailed review of Brown case: https://lesterchan.net/blog/2014/01/08/apple-iphone-5s-case-brown/ (opens in a new tab)
Video unboxing of Red case (it's called just Red, by the way): https://youtu.be/cD_mTLwROSI (opens in a new tab)
AnandTech's review of the iPhone 5s has some good photos of the Beige case: https://www.anandtech.com/show/7335/the-iphone-5s-review (opens in a new tab)
Video unboxing of 2016's Black case: https://youtu.be/1-GN9VtL8eY (opens in a new tab)
Pricing & Compatibility
Leather cases were originally retailed for $39, while 5s Dock cost $29. Nowadays, these are not the easiest to find, but auction websites seem to usually have a couple of listings available.
These accessories are only compatible with iPhone 5, 5s, and iPhone SE (1st generation / 2016 model).
Collections
Late 2013
| Color | SKU | Tap for more: |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | MF041 |  |
| Beige | MF042 |  |
| Yellow | MF043 |  |
| Blue | MF044 |  |
| Black | MF045 |  |
| Red | MF046 |  |
Spring 2016
| Color | SKU | Tap for more: |
|---|---|---|
| Midnight Blue | MMHG2 |  |
| Black | MMHH2 |  |
| (PRODUCT)RED | MNYV2 |  |
| Saddle Brown | MNYW2 |  |
Red released on November 30th, 2016 (opens in a new tab) Saddle Brown released later, with Spring 2017 drop