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
I bought four NIMASO MagSafe cases for my iPhone 17 Pro Max after a viewer asked about the Hyosei (“ice star”) series. If you want the nicest feel in the hand, the PU leather case wins, but its USB-C opening is narrow. The Hyosei cases are the lightest at about 34 g. The soft Shimizu case is the one I would put on a brand-new iPhone while deciding on a “real” case.
What I tested
- NIMASO Hyosei series, black (MagSafe)
- NIMASO Hyosei series, clear (MagSafe)
- NIMASO PU leather case (MagSafe)
- NIMASO Shimizu series, a soft clear case that also covers the camera area
- All on an iPhone 17 Pro Max in Cosmic Orange
What I found
| Case | Weight (measured) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 | 34.4 g | Smooth matte feel, textured sides. Camera area open |
 | 34.5 g | Softer, rubbery clear-case feel. Buttons slightly easier to press |
 | 37.8 g | Most solid and premium. Hardest to remove |
 | 42.7 g | One-piece soft case that covers the lenses. Easiest to remove |
- The two Hyosei colours feel completely different: the black is grainy and matte, the clear is soft and slightly rubbery.
- All four cover the Camera Control button. It still responded well through the cover.
- The PU leather case keeps a uniform, “always new” look, and pressing it with a finger leaves no mark. Cables with a bulky USB-C plug may not fit.
- The Shimizu case has tiny dots on the inside of the back (probably to stop rainbow patterns), so it looks a little hazier than the Hyosei clear. Because it covers the camera area, you can’t use lens guards with it.
- Prices at the time of recording (a Black Friday sale): Hyosei 2,680 yen regular, PU leather 2,980 yen regular, Shimizu 1,780 yen regular.
Who it’s for
- Black iPhone, light case with a nice feel: Hyosei black
- Lighter-coloured iPhone you want to show off: Hyosei clear
- Something solid that goes with any colour: PU leather
- A stop-gap case for a new iPhone: Shimizu
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese. Useful points: 3:25 all four cases unboxed, 4:55 the black Hyosei on the phone, 8:45 PU leather, 10:55 removing each case, 13:40 weights.
Limitations
This is a hands-on comparison by one person over a short period, not a drop test. Weights are from my own scale. Prices were Amazon Japan’s during a sale at the time of recording.
Products
NIMASO Hyosei series, black (iPhone 17 Pro Max): on Amazon Japan
NIMASO Hyosei series, clear (iPhone 17 Pro Max): on Amazon Japan
NIMASO PU leather case (iPhone 17 Pro Max): on Amazon Japan
NIMASO Shimizu series (iPhone 17 Pro Max): 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.