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
Aulumu sells its A17 case for the iPhone 17 Pro Max in two versions: a standard one and a pricier model with a built-in “cooling system”. I put both through a quick 3DMark run and couldn’t measure a meaningful difference in temperature or score. What you do get is a far more premium-looking, mechanical design. Buy the cooling model for the looks, not the cooling.
What I tested
- Aulumu A17 with cooling system: 5,999 yen on Amazon Japan at the time of recording
- Aulumu A17 standard model, which I had reviewed before: 3,999 yen at the time of recording
- One 3DMark stress run on each, with surface temperatures taken by an infrared thermometer
- NFC reading of a Japanese ID card and transit IC cards with the case on
What I found
- Cooling made no visible difference in a short test. With the cooling case, the screen side went from 31.4°C to 36.2°C and the back from 31°C to 32.2°C. The standard case behaved about the same, and the scores were 2,470 (cooling) vs 2,626 (standard) — so no performance advantage either.
- It may matter under heavier loads. Gaming while charging or shooting in summer sun could push temperatures much higher, where the heat sink might help. I didn’t test that.
- NFC still works. Some buyer reviews said card reading failed, but my ID card read fine with or without the included spacer, and transit cards were unaffected.
- A different case in hand. The cooling model is harder and smooth (a little slippery), with metal-look accents; the standard one is softer with a grippy texture. It is also heavier: 54.5 g vs 46.1 g.
- Strong MagSafe. Rings stay on the phone rather than the stand when you pull it away. Aulumu’s matching G09 ring looks great with it but costs around 7,000 yen.
Side by side
| A17 cooling | A17 standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (at recording) | 5,999 yen | 3,999 yen |
| Weight (my scale) | 54.5 g | 46.1 g |
| Feel | Hard, smooth | Softer, textured grip |
| 3DMark score (one run) | 2,470 | 2,626 |
Who it’s for
Pick the cooling model if you love the design, play 3D games while charging, or want the large camera area covered. Stick with the standard model if you mostly use your phone for everyday tasks and prefer a lighter, cheaper, grippier case.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. Useful moments: 01:33 what’s in the box, 02:18 design differences, 03:20 weights, 08:28 ID card reading, 09:53 temperature test.
Limitations
This was a single short stress run per case at around 30°C, not a controlled thermal test, so it can’t rule out a benefit under sustained heavy load. Prices are Amazon Japan’s at the time of recording, and weights are from my own scale.
Products
Aulumu A17 iPhone 17 Pro Max case, cooling model: on Amazon Japan
Aulumu A17 iPhone 17 Pro Max case, standard model: on Amazon Japan
Aulumu G09 MagSafe ring: 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.