Turning an iPhone XR into a Fake iPhone 15 Pro: For Just $25???
We’ve seen a lot of wild case mods over the years, but this one might be the craziest yet.
It’s a $25 modified case that transforms an iPhone XR into something that looks nearly identical to the iPhone 15 Pro. And while we’ve tested similar mods before, this one goes further from button redesigns to a flat screen panel and even a fake Action Button.
Here's the full teardown and verdict.
First Impressions: Does It Look Like a 15 Pro?
At first glance, it’s shockingly convincing. The modded case even includes a power button replica and flat sides to mimic the iPhone 15 Pro’s titanium design. The original XR frame is slightly curved, so this change makes a big difference visually.
The fake cameras are surprisingly well-designed, two dummy lenses and a fake light sensor give it that modern iPhone look. Even the Action Button is replicated, and it feels like the real thing. Function-wise, it probably just toggles mute, but still, impressive.
Hardware Breakdown
Inside, it's a familiar XR with a twist. The flash is rerouted using a tag-on flex cable — a detail I’ve never seen before. The mic is still in its original place but uses the camera cutout for sound, which could muffle audio a bit.
The new frame also comes with a flat screen panel. It’s a standard iPhone XR LCD, but shaved flat to match the iPhone 15 Pro’s design. Unfortunately, no Dynamic Island here, just the classic notch.
The Rebuild Process
We bought this XR for just $120 CAD, which is a steal. It was broken, so we had no issue pulling it apart and updating everything.
Here’s a quick summary of the teardown:
Removed old screen (already needed replacing)
Extracted all components, including logic board, cameras, wireless charging coil, and speaker
Transferred everything into the modded frame, one part at a time
Used heat, alcohol, and patience to remove sticky battery strips
Faced a few issues with misaligned screws and the odd flex cable position, but everything fit after some finesse
The charging port section was the most difficult, tons of screws and layered parts. And since we couldn’t removed the original pentalobe screws, we had to drill them out. They were stripped, of course, which is not ideal, but doable.
Final Result: Worth It?
Once assembled, the phone looked insanely convincing. It booted up, the screen aligned nicely, and all major functions like flash, camera, and even microphone (though slightly muffled) worked.
Sure, it’s not an actual iPhone 15 Pro. It’s still an XR underneath but for $25. This mod case delivers an incredibly realistic look. If you’re thinking of buying a modded iPhone or modifying one yourself, this is a great guide to understand how it’s done and what red flags to look for if someone tries to pass off a fake as the real thing.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re modding phones for fun or spotting fakes, this XR-to-15 Pro conversion shows how far case mods have come. If you found this teardown helpful, make sure to check out the full video, subscribe, and leave a comment.
Got your own mod to show off? Let’s see it and don’t forget to sit up straight.
See you in the next one!
