Nimble Disc Case for the iPhone 12 Review

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Remember Nimble? It’s the company that brought us the Bottle case. The Bottle case was one of my favorite cases for the iPhone XS. It’s made from recycled plastic bottles, with a fabric liner. It was washable and recyclable, and it reduced plastic waste from our oceans and landfills. It was hard not to love!

Nimble has set their sights on another form of plastic pollution, and the case they’ve made out of this discarded plastic is just right for a clear case. CDs. Remember CDs? You had them for games, programs, DVDs for movies, music, and, of course, hundreds of millions of AOL discs.

Nimble took these CDs and made a clear case out of them, their Disc Case. It’s recycled and recyclable. Unlike some other eco-friendly clear cases, it doesn’t add bulk and won’t shatter so easily.

Disclaimer

Nimble liked my first review of the Nimble Bottle case, which I had purchased with my own money. As a result, they sent me the Disc Case for the iPhone 12 before the iPhone 12 was out! I’ve had this in my hands now for months, and on my iPhone 12 mini now since release. While I’m not yet ready to review all of the features of the iPhone 12 mini, the case that protects it is a bit more simple. Unlike my last Nimble case and most of my reviews, I didn’t pay for this case. That won’t affect my decision making in this review.

Specs

• Height: 134.66mm : Adds 3.05mm (not much, only 1.5mm/side!)
• Width: 67.67mm : Adds 3.37mm
• Depth: 10.22mm : Adds 0.85mm over the camera bump
• Weight: 20g

Protection 4/5

I have sent my iPhone on two hard falls while it was fortunately in this case. It survived both of them. Nimble says their case is certified for drops of 6 feet. That seems believable.

You can kind of feel from the density, rigidity, and flexibility of a case as to how protective it will be. You can also tell that a case will add grip, which will also prevent falls, both out of your hand and out of a bag. This isn’t the most protective case, it could be a bit thicker, or feature some soft, impact-absorbing TPU on the outside, but it protects enough.

Every side is protected with a dense rubber-like TPU material. It’s grippy, but not so grippy that it collects dust. This isn’t like the plastic of Apple’s cases, more like the impact-absorbing material popular in Spigen cases. In fact, this reminds me of a less bulky Spigen Ultra Hybrid (but with better buttons).

It’s rigid, covers every side, including the bottom, and has enough of a lip to protect your screen. In fact, it comes up around the iPhone just enough to also protect a thicker glass screen protector. The back is protected in a CD-like plastic (gee, wonder why?). This plastic is rigid and highly durable. It would take a considerable impact on the back of the case to damage the glass back of your iPhone. This plastic also adds to the rigidity of the rest of the case, ensuring the protective bumper edge stays in place.

From my own handling of it, including two serious drops onto a hardwood floor (I swear, I need to stop juggling my iPhone so much), I’d rate this as a protective enough case for everyday, even heightened risk, use. Going for a hike? This will likely protect your iPhone as it falls on some rocks. Did it fall out of your bag while skateboarding? It’ll probably be fine. Nimble rates the drop protection for 6 feet, which is likely further than you’d drop it in everyday use. While this isn’t some extreme case that adds half an inch to your device’s width, it’s definitely offering enough protection for your phone while still keeping that phone in your hand.

Looks 4.5/5

It’s the data-carrying layer of the CD that adds that rainbow sheen. The plastic itself? Quite clear. That’s fortunate, because the Nimble Disc case is also perfectly clear. The case is transparent, allowing the color of your iPhone through fully. At the bottom is Nimble’s logo, pressed into the plastic on the iPhone side to retain a seamless outer feel. It seems to wrap around the (PRODUCT)Red logo, and if that wasn’t intentional, it was certainly a happy accident. Similarly, there’s clear text reading, “Made from Recycled Compact Discs” running up the side. I might have preferred this on an edge, but it’s not too distracting here. There are little bubbles on the corners to provide more drop protection, but other than that, it’s a very plain case. It lets the beauty of your iPhone naturally shine through. Really, that’s why you get a clear case, right?

The back doesn’t have a microdot pattern, which means it looks incredibly transparent, but can also lay flat against your iPhone and potentially create a “rainbow” effect at certain angles under bright light. I find these dot patterns distracting, more than any light refraction. I can usually only see it if I press the case back down onto the iPhone glass sharply. The plastic seems to “float” slightly over the back, preventing these marks.

The worst part about the appearance of this case is that, like the glossy iPhone underneath, it shows fingerprints. It was so hard to take photos of the iPhone 12 and this case without my fingerprints on everything. That’s going to be true of any glossy case, especially clear cases. It’s just a trade-off for being able to clearly see your iPhone under the case.

Ease of Use 3/5

This is the one part of the design I wasn’t ecstatic about. For ease of use, I consider a few things. Grip, size and weight, those play a part, but a lot of it comes down to how easy it is to press the buttons or switch the mute rocker. The mute rocker is fine, you can even do it without fingernails, and easily feel it with the tip of your finger. Grip is great, it’s easier to hold the iPhone 12 mini with the case than without, especially with dry hands. However, the buttons are a bit rigid. They’re still passing along the clicky feel of the buttons underneath, so they’re not the worst, but it’s just a little too stiff.

Often, cases made out of a rigid material like this will place small slits above and below the buttons. You can do this yourself, and I’ve done it for many of my cases, including this one. Just a sharp knife in a straight line under the button, and it’s much easier to click. But I don’t think people should have to take a knife to a new case to get that perfectly “transparent” sort of feeling with the buttons underneath.

Also, the volume buttons on the side are represented on the case by just one large button. Kind of like a rocker button. It’s harder to tell where the volume down button ends and the volume up one begins because it’s just one long pill shape. It works perfectly fine, if you press on the right part or edges. The case buttons are perfectly sized to the buttons below. But it’s strange that it’s all one button instead of two, and it can make it sometimes more confusing to reach for, especially when you’re not holding or looking at your iPhone.

Size/Weight 4/5

So, I’ll give you a spoiler for the upcoming iPhone 12 mini review: I am in love with the size of this device. It’s perfectly fit for your hand. Adding a bulky case to it though would ruin that effect. It would make it just a little too large for one handed use and comfort. That means any case for the iPhone 12 mini is going to have to be just right. It can’t add too much bulk, while still adding enough for protection.

This case does just that.

Adding only about 1.5mm to every side (including the back), it’s a slim case. That small addition on the back provides just enough protection for the camera bump. The case corners also have tiny little “feet” that raise the back of the case up over surfaces. This will keep your case looking clean, even if you put it down on a messy surface. It does this without adding bulk.

Perfect size and weight would be something like a thin skin. Something like a Peel case. That isn’t what this is. However, it is the “just right” balance between protection and weight. I actually don’t mind using the case, which, for most of my cases, I did. This case preserves the compact size of the iPhone mini, improving grip and protection without much bulk.

Sustainability 4.5/5

This is a key selling point of the case. All other excellent features aside, this is one of the few sustainably sourced and recyclable cases on the market. It ships in a box without plastic, it’s made from recycled plastic, and, at the end of your time with it, you can send it back to Nimble for recycling. They’ll also collect other electronics, and you can even send them your CDs and DVDs for recycling. Nimble even uses a partnership with TerraCycle to try to recycle cases you send them from other manufacturers. I have just a mountain of old cases in my apartment that I’ve been waiting to send in to someone. It’s good to have an option.

Perfect sustainability would be a compostable case that you can just bury somewhere and it’s gone in a few years. Even current compostable cases can’t make that claim, and often require industrial composting facilities. But at least this case is made from recyclable materials and can go on to be something else. Nimble says they don’t re-use their own cases, but the company is going through landfills, reclaiming CDs and DVDs to make new cases. Every case purchased pulls plastic out of our environment and puts it back in use. One day we may be able to break down plastic entirely. Until then, our best use of it is to recycle it and continue reshaping it. Nimble puts plastic back on the path of reuse.

Finally, Nimble is also a Certified B corporation. That means they contribute 1% of their profits for environmental causes. Of course, their whole business model revolves around more sustainably sourced products, so this is just more icing on top of the cake.

Durability 5/5

After shattering my Pela case, I decided that cases should be tested for strength. This includes letting them fall on the ground from their own weight, hitting them on tables, and otherwise simulating damage from falls. I test these cases for weeks or even months before reviewing. This is a durable case.

I tested it by hitting it against the table, tossing it up to the ceiling and letting it fall to the ground, throwing it on the ground, smacking it on a table, and otherwise trying to damage it. In this case, it also survived two drops on the ground without a scuff or scratch.

Did I hit it as hard as I could? No. I don’t think any case could survive that. They’re just not built for that kind of force. But I did hit it harder than it would take if falling on the ground. It held up. I don’t like testing it this way, as the phone itself can add to rigidity of the case and therefore help protect the case from damage while the case protects it as well, but, I did it, so I figured I’d share it.

Odds & Ends

You’re likely worried about COVID, right? Well, you should be. It’s killing thousands of Americans every day, hundreds of millions have been infected. Hundreds of millions more will face this illness and potentially die or—far more commonly—suffer potentially lifelong complications from it. With a lifelong antimicrobial coating on this case, your iPhone will be less likely to transmit diseases, including, potentially, COVID-19. Nimble doesn’t claim COVID-19 protection, but these coatings have been able to reduc and kill similar viruses.

Coatings like this aren’t meant to make your device germ-proof, as they don’t work instantaneously, but they can reduce the germs your phone can carry. Since your phone can carry a lot of germs, even being described as being dirtier than a toilet seat, it’s likely still a good idea to clean it on occasion. I use a UV-C cleaner from Phonesoap. Along with this coating (and the coating on my screen protector), my iPhone is just a little bit cleaner thanks to this case.

The plastic also has anti-yellowing properties. This means it will resist that yellowish shade that many plastics get after a few years of use or exposure to the sun or UV rays, though it may eventually yellow. This could take years though, depending on sun and environmental exposure.

Finally, a negative, but also a positive? This case fits your iPhone fantastically. It’s a tight fit and that means it offers great protection. However, it also means it’s too tight for a phone loop. I don’t find a phone loop necessary on the iPhone 12 mini, due to its size, and such a loop would also break MagSafe charging, so I won’t be using one. However, for larger devices, it’s something to consider. You can still use a loop, it’ll just pull the charging port section of the case away from your phone by a large amount. It won’t be enough to pull the device off, but it won’t look great, and could make charging with some adapters more difficult.

Value 4.5/5

Sustainable cases often cost more than those made from cheaper materials. I consider a good case to be around the $20-$40 mark. At $39.95, that puts the Nimble right at the top of my scale. Normally this would have knocked off more than half a point from the score. However, it brings excellent quality and sustainability to the table. It feels like it really is worth more than $30. Furthermore, Nimble frequently offers deals. Right now, you can get the case for under $40. In fact, if you use my link, and it’s your first time you’re buying a Nimble product, you can get it for just $29.95 ($10 off). If it’s not your first time buying a Nimble product, you may be able to find another discount through signing up for their newsletter or another deal.

MagSafe Compatibility

I considered doing this on a scale, but then I’d have to explain the rating every time. If 1 was “can’t even charge through the case,” and 5 was, “It’s like the case isn’t even there,” this would be a 2.5. The Nimble case doesn’t have a ring of magnets, but MagSafe still works with it. Also, the magnets provide some additional grip. It’s not enough to hold your phone’s entire weight, but it’s enough to hold it on my slanted MagSafe stand, once I added a little extra rubber for grip. There’s definitely still some magnetic attraction there, but, without a ring of magnets on the case, it’s imperfect.

Of course, if it did have a ring of magnets, it would lose points on looks, because it looks a little silly. I also don’t recommend Apple’s cases because the plastic cracks frequently, and my first one for the iPhone 11 actually broke when I put it on my iPhone.

I added small rubber pieces, actually nose pieces for glasses, to my wooden MagSafe stand. This adds just enough grip that the iPhone with the Nimble case doesn’t slide down it. I can use my iPhone while it’s on the stand still too, without it becoming dislodged from the slight magnetic hold. The back is thin, which allows wireless charging to work without issues. However, it’s nowhere near as magnetic as your phone is without the case. You wouldn’t be able to use a MagSafe car vent or tripod mount, but if you’re using an angled stand like mine, it can still work.

By the way, this is the stand I got, and I cannot recommend it enough. It makes MagSafe feel like a complete product, the way it was meant to be. I’ll likely mention it again in my MagSafe review, as the MagSafe charger just isn’t complete without a stand.

Overall 4.5/5

Okay, I’m going to let Nimble in on a little secret: I was actually thinking about buying this case anyway. I loved Nimble’s Bottle Case, and the Disc case seemed to address the issue I had with the plastic in the Bottle Case being not quite rigid as I wanted it. Since Apple began introducing red iPhones, I’ve wanted to show off my iPhone a bit again. It’s for that reason that I began using clear cases. But the only eco-friendly clear case besides this that I could think of is the Pela Clear Case. That had a problem with durability and size. Plus it’s clear plastic wasn’t entirely transparent. It made my iPhone much thicker. I didn’t want that for my iPhone 12 mini. I finally have a phone that can fit in my hand.

This is a high quality case. The back is rigid, the sides are impact absorbing, and it has fantastic clarity. I like to swap out my cases frequently, but I struck gold with my first iPhone 12 mini case here. It ticks all my boxes for a nearly perfect case. In fact, this is my favorite clear case. I’ve tested clear cases from Spigen, Pela, Apple, Moshi, and others. This is the best. It’s simple, looks great, makes your iPhone easier to hold, isn’t overly bulky, yet can protect my iPhone from some serious drops, and it’s recyclable. What’s not to love?

You can get the Nimble Disc case from their website, or through Verizon. You can also get $10 off your first order from Nimble if you use my link. It’s a great value on a case that not only helps the environment through removing plastic from landfills, but also keeps your phone secure, reducing e-waste from replacing broken parts. It’s no coincidence that my favorite clear case is also made from recycled plastic and is itself recyclable, sustainability is important. Still, even putting sustainability aside, this is a fantastic clear case, and will show off your iPhone while protecting it.

 

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The review for the iPhone 12 mini is in the works. Phones are a little more complex than cases though, and I’ve been using this case with my iPhone 12 mini since I received it, so I thought it was time to share on what very well could be the best clear case you can find if you care about sustainable sourcing and recycling. Still, expect my review of the iPhone 12 mini soon!