OtterBox Cactus Leather iPhone case review: A great alternative

The just-released OtterBox cactus leather iPhone cases give buyers the option to wrap their handset in a plant-based material rather than traditional leather. In my testing, the cactus-based material looks and feels somewhat similar to cow leather but not identical.

There’s a lot to like about OtterBox Symmetry Series Cactus Leather iPhone cases that are now available starting Monday.

So … cactus leather?

Most iPhone cases are made with some variety of plastic, but premium ones are generally cow leather. Many people are uncomfortable with animal products so case-makers are looking for alternative materials.

Apple stopped offering traditional leather cases in fall 2023, switching to a polyester-based microtwill called FineWoven. Responses were generally negative, though there are fans, too. Apple might not might not have dropped the material.

OtterBox, a premium maker of iPhone cases, went in a different direction. “We’ve teamed up with Adriano di Marti to source this innovative cactus-based biomaterial that is durable, beautiful and sustainable to create a product unlike any other for both brands,” said OtterBox CEO JC Richardson.

The company promises the material is “highly sustainable and environmentally friendly,” and is made from Nopal cactus. It’s already used in shoes, purses and other clothing.

Hands on with OtterBox Symmetry Series Cactus Leather iPhone cases

The OtterBox case wrapped in cactus skin looks much like cow leather. It has a pebbly exterior that resembles the traditional material. Based on my experience with the case, if you want something that looks like leather, this passes the test.

And it seems durable enough stand up to daily life. My preliminary testing finds that it does not scratch easily and stands up to bumps and blows without a blemish. I deliberately used it with greasy fingers and the case washed up perfectly.

OtterBox is known for its tough cases, and the Symmetry Series models made with Desserto have a 3X MIL-STD drop protection rating.

While all that’s positive, cactus leather doesn’t feel like my Mujjo leather iPhone case. It’s not as smooth, with a somewhat rougher texture. Traditional leather can be made in a variety of textures, but Desserto is more pebbled than any I’ve seen. Still, you can look on that as an advantage, as the case is less likely to slip out of one’s hand.

That said, the OtterBox Symmetry Series Cactus Leather iPhone case I tested in January was a prototype sample and the final product might be different. OtterBox told me, “The look will be the same, but the tactile experience will shift a little bit between now and the Spring 2024 launch. As this is a new formulation of the Desserto material, it is being optimized to meet the OtterBox case form-factor for production.”

My sample is black. The plant-based cases also come in brown, green and purple options.

It’s an iPhone case

The only innovative aspect of the OtterBox cases is the material they’re covered in. Aside from that, these are standard Symmetry Series iPhone cases. And that’s a good thing. These are well designed cases that offer a balance of protection for the expensive handset without adding too much bulk.

The design surrounds the iPhone leaving only the screen exposed, though there are openings for the camera hump, USB-C/Lightning port, speakers, etc. The buttons have covers, and the interior is lined with a soft material so it won’t scratch the handset.

The Symmetry Series is MagSafe compatible so you can wirelessly charge your iPhone without removing it from the case.

Cactus leather iPhone cases are environmentally friendly

OtterBox touts the sustainability of cactus leather.

“Nopal cacti are able to thrive in harsh conditions and do not need irrigation or constantly warm weather,” the company bragged. “The cacti support a biodiverse ecosystem and the Desserto farm sequesters substantially more CO2 than the farming process produces. Plus, only mature leaves are harvested, allowing for regrowth of the cactus to be harvested again in six to eight months.”

Which is great, but the chassis of the iPhone case is plastic. The cactus leather goes on top of that.

Desserto versus FineWoven

Because Apple replaced its leather cases with FineWoven ones, and Desserto is also a cow leather alternative, a comparison of the two might seem logical. But cactus leather bears no resemblance to FineWoven whatsoever.

Apple’s option is a type of high-end cloth. It’s described as having a “suedelike” feel, but it’s definitely not suede.

In contrast, OtterBox offers cases in a vegan form of leather. Desserto looks like cow leather and — somewhat — feels like leather.

OtterBox Symmetry Series Cactus Leather iPhone cases preliminary conclusion

While I only tested a prototype available before the launch, OtterBox seems to have made the right decision to go with cactus leather. It’s good-looking and durable while also being cruelty-free and sustainable.

And the material is going into more than cases. It’ll also be made into Apple Watch bands and MagSafe wallets.

Pricing

The OtterBox Symmetry Series Cactus Leather iPhone cases sell for $59.95. There are versions for the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max but no earlier models.

Buy it from: OtterBox

Apple Watch Band Cactus Leather is $39.95. It’s compatible with 38/40/41mm and 42/44/45mm models.

Buy it from: OtterBox

OtterBox provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

This review was first published in January 2024 and was updated with the release of the cases.