This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
Akaraviku’s aluminium bumpers are light (18 g-ish on both phones I tried) and, surprisingly, no wider than Apple’s own case. They look great, especially the orange one on a Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro Max. The catch is obvious: the back of the phone is fully exposed.
What I tested
- Akaraviku aluminium bumper for iPhone 17 Pro Max (orange, with a camera plate in the box)
- Akaraviku aluminium bumper for Pixel 10a (black)
- For comparison: Apple’s case for iPhone 17 Pro Max and an ordinary Pixel 10a case
What I found
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | Pixel 10a | |
|---|---|---|
| Usual case | 34.7 g (Apple case) | 40.7 g (ordinary case) |
| Akaraviku bumper | 18.2 g | 18.6 g |
| Bumper + camera plate | 25.4 g | (no plate) |
- Width is a non-issue. With the bumper the iPhone measured 82.5 mm across, versus 82.2 mm in Apple’s case. It only feels wider because it is so thin.
- About 2 mm thinner than a case. My cased iPhone is 11.7 mm; with the bumper it stays under 10 mm.
- Buttons work well, but the Camera Control cut-out is a little deep and my finger brushes its edge.
- The camera plate is optional. I could not use it because I already have a lens guard.
- The metal feels slippery, and the silver accents look a bit dated to me.
- My Pixel 10a unit rattles slightly at the corner latch. The iPhone one fits tightly, so this may be unit variation.
My worry is the bare back. The display iPhone 17 units I looked at in an Apple Store had plenty of scratches, while my own phone, cased for six months, has none. I am keeping the bumper on my Pixel 10a, where resale value matters less, and going back to a full case on the iPhone.
Who it’s for
Good for people who care more about showing off the phone’s design and protecting the sides than about keeping the back scratch-free. Not for anyone who wants a scratch-free back for resale.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. Useful chapters: 02:18 weights, 04:26 Pixel 10a fit, 08:04 iPhone 17 Pro Max fit, 11:51 width and thickness, 14:45 the rattle.
Limitations
These are first impressions from a short test, not a drop test. Both bumpers were 2,080 yen on Amazon Japan at the time of recording.
Products
Akaraviku aluminium bumper for iPhone 17 Pro Max: on Amazon Japan
Akaraviku aluminium bumper for Pixel 10a: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
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This review is also available in Japanese.