“Disappointed by the Selfie Features of This Phone Case”

The Selfix phone case is a prime example of an innovative concept that struggles in execution. Designed for the iPhone 17 Pro, it features a circular screen on the back that mirrors the center of your main display, allowing you to take selfies with the superior rear cameras instead of the front-facing one. It sounds great in theory, but the reality leaves much to be desired.

While selfie cameras have improved significantly, the upgraded front sensor in the iPhone 17 series performs well in good lighting. However, the larger sensors and lenses of the rear cameras still have the edge, offering capabilities like slow-motion video, enhanced low-light performance, and more realistic portrait shots. The Selfix aims to leverage these advantages, but it requires some patience to make it work.

Currently available for preorder, the Selfix case is priced at $129, with early backers getting it for $79. However, I have serious reservations about recommending it, even at the discounted price. For one, it’s bulky. Coming from a couple of weeks with the iPhone Air, this case feels unwieldy on the iPhone 17 Pro. It’s just too big for my taste. On the plus side, it includes a built-in microSD card slot that meets UHS-I, Class 10, U3, and V30 standards, allowing for 4K video recording directly to the card without frame drops, assuming you have a fast enough card.

My main issue with the Selfix is its performance. The circular screen, measuring 1.6 inches in diameter, cuts off a significant portion of the rectangular preview from your main display. The chunky bezels further reduce the usable area, making it feel cramped. This design leads to guesswork; if you center your face on the rear screen, you might end up with a selfie that has a lot of empty space above your head.

The touch-sensitive screen is supposed to allow for tap-to-focus, but I found it inconsistent. The unit I tested was labeled as “Beta,” which might explain some of the issues. You still need to use the volume buttons on your iPhone to take photos or start video recording since the virtual shutter button is partially obscured. It’s also disconcerting to shoot video without any clear indication that recording has begun. For a product meant to simplify using the rear cameras, it still leaves a lot to chance.

Additionally, there are some drawbacks. While the case supports passthrough wired charging, it doesn’t allow for data connections, meaning no wired CarPlay or file transfers over USB. There’s a magnetic ring for MagSafe accessories, but it lacks wireless charging capabilities, requiring you to remove the case for those functions.

Another concern is that it’s easy to forget the rear screen is active after taking selfies. Since it mirrors your phone’s display, you could inadvertently expose sensitive information, like your banking app, to the world. There’s a button on the side to turn the screen on and off, and a USB plug icon appears in the Dynamic Island when it’s active. However, there’s no constant on-screen reminder that the display is mirroring, which could lead to some awkward situations.

I appreciate the creativity behind the Selfix case and its attempt to combine multiple functions—enhancing selfie capabilities, expanding storage, and protecting your device. However, I wish it performed its primary function more effectively.