iPhone XR will have Apple-designed clear case

It's Apple's first transparent offering.

Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice

I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.

Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories

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Lori Grunin

Oct. 12, 2018 8:52 a.m. PT

apple-event-091218-iphone-xr-0820 — Clear cases: Because it's a shame to cover up all that color.
James Martin/CNET

Lesson learned: read the footnotes in press releases. That's where an eagle-eyed Canadian spotted the mention of "Apple-designed accessories for iPhone XR including a clear case will be available starting at $55 (CAD)" -- fine print that appeared in Apple's announcements for selected regions.

Highlighted in a tweet posted early Friday, Apple fan @ivanincanada pointed out the information, which no one else apparently noticed (or at least shared) in the month since the press release came out.

@reneritchie this might be interesting, it appears on the Canadian press release. pic.twitter.com/gcs5QOj3Cb
— Ivan (@ivanincanada) October 12, 2018

A reply on Twitter highlighted that it appears in the French and German press releases as well. It didn't appear in the US version, however.

The CA$55 price is equivalent to about $40, £32 and AU$60. We asked Apple about US pricing, but didn't immediately hear back. That's pretty expensive given the cheaper third-party alternatives that have already surfaced from companies such as Incase, or protective options for about the same price from companies such as Speck.