I spent $20 on an AliExpress iPhone makeover. The idea is simple: change the outside without replacing the phone. Looking at the red back, I can see why someone would try it.
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At a glance, it might even fool a few people. Then I get to the cameras.
The Cameras Give It Away
Most of the back looks pretty decent. The camera area is where things get strange. Those three rings sit together on one side of a much wider panel, with markings over on the other side.
I can appreciate the attempt, but this is the part I would notice first.
Clip On the Bumper, Stick On the Back
Fitting it is fairly straightforward. I clip the bumper around the phone, then glue the new panel onto the back. The separate frame and rear panel do most of the work of changing its appearance.
Once it is on, it does not feel too bad. So far, this little experiment has more going for it than I expected.
Where Did the Flash and LiDAR Go?
There is a pretty big catch: the new back has no openings for the flash or LiDAR. They are covered by the panel. The little details printed on the outside do not fix that.
That is a lot to give up for a different look. The phone gets a makeover, but those parts no longer have a clear opening through the back.
Final Thoughts
I still think it is a fun little mod. I am just less convinced by a cosmetic change that gets in the way of the phone. Would you try it for $20, or keep the original back?
See you in the next article!
