By Charles Passy
Miansai
The pitch:
So, you're thinking about upgrading to the new Apple /quotes/zigman/68270/quotes/nls/aapl AAPL +0.98% iPhone 5s — in particular, the hugely popular gold-colored version. But why settle for just a golden-hued iPhone when you can buy an iPhone case made of the real deal? (And, hey, you were probably going to need a case for the phone no matter what version you purchased.) Miansai, an American accessory company that offers everything from wallets to key chains, has just such an item) — a made-to-order case, crafted from 14-karat gold, individually numbered and engraved and available with a matte or polished finish.
Miansai founder Michael Andrew Saiger admits the product was intended as "a kind of joke" when it was launched a couple of years ago (at the time, the iPhone 4s was the model du jour). But Saiger has since stopped laughing. Not only has the company sold a handful of the cases, it's also benefitted from plenty of buzz about the concept. "Everyone has loved it," says Saiger.
Also see: Apple's iPhone 5C now costs $ 45
And there may be more Miansai iPhone accessories to come, which makes sense given how big a market it is — the iPhone case industry represents a $ 1.3 billion annual business, according to NPD Group. Saiger says he's looking into introducing a silver case "probably in the next six months."
The reality:
A $ 10,000 gold iPhone case may have the bling factor, but it doesn't have much else going for it. By Miansai's own admission, the case doesn't fully, well, encase an iPhone — it leaves the front and corners somewhat exposed. "We aren't claiming it (offers) any protective services," says Miansai spokeswoman Samantha Ouellette.
And that's not mentioning the other reality of owning such a case. "There's no easier way to say 'please steal my phone' than sticking it in a $ 10,000 gold case," says Brian Heater of Engadget, a well-known tech site. (On top of which, "for that price, I'd hope for a few more karats," says Heater.)
Big Spender: $ 10,000 gold iPhone case
Why settle for just a golden-hued iPhone 5s when you can buy an iPhone case made of the real deal? Charles Passy joins the News Hub with a look at a 14-karat gold option for your gadget. Photo: Miansai.
The pricing is all the more glaring given that a good iPhone case can generally be had for $ 20 to $ 100, say tech experts. The pros suggest buying according to your needs (and also making sure the case doesn't block any parts of the phone you need to access easily). If you live a rugged lifestyle, consider Otterbox (its Defender Series — a "multi-layered case" that "withstands drops, bumps and shocks" — runs up to $ 60). If the need to re-charge is an issue, consider Mophie (it has cases, for up to $ 120, with a built-in battery). And if it's all about the beer, consider the iBottleopener — yes, a case with a built-in bottle opener, all for $ 30.
Another option: an Apple-branded product. The company has made a big push into the case business with five different models for the 5s, priced at $ 39. The leather skins already have plenty of fans. "The leather is beautifully soft and smooth, and it fits the iPhone like a glove," says tech reviewer Killian Bell.
Of course, if you want something super high-end, there are options beyond Miansai. Indeed, jewelry designer Anita Mai Tan once offered a diamond-encrusted iPhone case for $ 880,000. (But it had a degree of "functionality" in that it allowed the phone to be worn as a necklace.)
Still, a $ 10,000 iPhone case isn't exactly cheap. Miansai's Saiger is the first to cop to that. In fact, he admits he doesn't much care for the case — instead, he opts for a "normal" plastic case that runs about $ 20. "If I lose my phone, I don't want to lose a block of gold," he says.
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