Rhinoshield Clear Case and Screen Protector REVIEW

Ecofriendly, lightweight protection for your new iPhone

My wife and kids have gone through several screen repairs over the past few years due to random events. I regularly carry my iPhone within a Nite-Ize XXL holster and within some type of slip cover case. Sometimes, I use a screen protector, and other times I do not. I like the feel of a naked screen, but I worry about the cost of the camera, the camera button, and the outer shell. I cannot imagine carrying around an expensive iPhone without a case. Despite my personal reservations, I regularly see people with unadorned phones in back pockets, jacket pockets, or within bags/backpacks. For those who want a lightweight, transparent outer shell, Rhinoshield may have a solution to a problem you did not know you had.

The Rhinoshield 17 Pro Max case arrived in a 3 3/4 inches wide by 7 3/16 inches tall by 1 inch thick tan-colored retail hanging-style package. The large Rhinoshield name/logo was listed along the left side of the cover panel and the left side panel.  The lower-left edge of the left panel had a QR code link to the installation instructions.  The rear panel had a large white sticker with QR code, color, manufacturing information, barcode, and material description (polyester compound, TPE).  Hidden beneath the sticker, you will find a fun sentence akin to the axiom “don’t judge a book by its cover.”  I appreciated the plastic-free, sustainable, nature-friendly, pro-recycling goal.  So even though the packaging felt a bit blasé, it was well thought out, not an afterthought.  I slid the inner tray out from the packaging and removed the 1.2-ounce, 6 1/2 inches tall by 3 1/4 inches wide by 1/2 inches thick case from the tray.   The inner lining of the tray had manufacturing labels and a similar nature-friendly story to that of the back panel.

The case’s left side had a 5/16-inch-long by 1/8-inch-wide action button, dual 7/16-inch-long by 1/8-inch-tall volume up/down buttons along the top edge, and RHINOSHIELD printed on the lower margin. The right side panel had a 3/4-inch-long by 1/8-inch-tall power button and a lower 11/16-inch-long by 1/8-inch-tall camera button.  I liked the touch-sensitive camera button covering, the recessed design, and placement.  The bottom edge had a 9/16-inch-wide by 5/16-inch-tall USB-C cutout and flanking 9/16-inch-long by 1/8-inch-tall speaker cutouts.  The back panel had a 1/8-inch raised camera protector measuring 2 3/4 inches wide by 1 9/16 inches tall.  Before installing the case, remove the inner plastic film.

After removing the inner film, I pressed the phone’s volume edge into the case, then the top, power button side, and finally the bottom panel.  I was impressed with the tight fit, the rigid design, and with most of the layout.  I did not like the camera protector’s design or the wide-open area.  Too much surface area was left unprotected in the newer design, with the triple camera to the left and the lidar, flash, and microphone to the right.  I much prefer cases with molded, form-fit cut-outs for the camera, flash, lidar, and microphone. The raised buttons had a nice tactile press-feel and were very reactive.  I appreciated the open speaker, USB-C ports, and the raised front-screen bezel protection. The protective, touch-capacitive camera button had a slightly recessed design that housed a reactive, bouncy-feel button.  Similarly, the power, volume, and action buttons had pleasing reactivity.  

The Rhinoshield case will provide a rigid outer shell, glancing screen protection, and raised camera protection.  I was able to get a weak MagSafe connection with an ESR Aura wallet, but it did not stick well. Additionally, I was unable to pair the case with my car MagSafe mount or charge it reliably via MagSafe.  Unfortunately, I was able to get a brief charge, but the phone easily slipped out of place and did not align well.  I would have loved for the case to include MagSafe integration, since many other case brands offer similar bumper-style silicone cases with extra features (kickstands, camera lens protection, MagSafe).  After further review of the website, it appears that the Rhinoshield Clear cases are available in a standard ($37.99) and MagSafe-compatible ($46.99) option.  Interestingly, the website noted wireless charging “*wireless charging compatibility may vary for non-Apple devices.”  

I had the pleasure of testing both the nocturne blue and ash black versions of the case and gravitated toward the blue color.  The bluish color blended nicely with the dark blue iPhone 17 Pro Max shell, while the clear panel created a mirror finish.  The case’s rear panel was a bit smooth to touch, but the sides had a semi-tacky and gummy feel, which improved grip.  I carried the phone for the last week and had no issues with scuffs, scratches, or damage to the screen or phone. The raised camera protector did an okay job at glancing blows, but I wanted more protection from direct damage.

Rhinoshield Screen Protector

The Rhinoshield Screen protector for Apple 16 Pro Max and 17 Pro Max arrived in a 3 5/8 inches wide by 7 3/8 inches tall by 13/16 inches thick hanging-style package.  The cover panel listed the product name at the top left, the company name at the bottom edge, and a large yellow sticker on the right panel: 3D impact screen protector pro, ultimate impact resistance, everyday scratch defense, dirt-repellent technology, effortless installation.  Both side panels displayed the RHINOSHIELD name, while the back panel listed the screen protector name and provided a large white sticker with QR code, product name, material/construction, and barcode.  

I opened the box and removed the 1.0-ounce screen protector jig and the yellow accessory box.  The accessory box contained a guide sticker sheet, air bubble removal tool, and microfiber cloth.  I used some WOOSH and cleaned the surface of my screen, then used the included microfiber cloth.  I pressed the sticker into the surface to remove lint and then laid my iPhone 17 Pro Max face down into the jig.  I pressed the phone and pulled on the pull tab.  I used the included bubble-removal tool and pressed the surface of the screen protection down.  I was pleased with the ease of the installation process, the lack of air bubbles, and the shape/design.  I was able to install the Rhinoshield case around the protector, adding a layer of glancing protection.  The price was on par with other screen protectors, and the installation was easy.  

Summary

Overall, I would rate the case at 7/10, the screen protector at 8.5/10, and the combo at 8/10 based on the above-listed findings.  The website noted military-grade protection, but I worry that the open-access camera segment was not sufficiently protected against direct blows.  I loved the camera action button, side buttons, raised screen protection, and easily accessible USB-C port.  Neither case color version had MagSafe compatibility or charged well via wireless methods.  However, they charged normally via USB-C.  The screen protector did a great job at reducing fingerprints and smudges, but I did not particularly notice any effects of the anti-blue light protection (iPhone has Night Shift).

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