Tag Archives: spigen

Apple’s 50th Anniversary Gets a Retro iPhone 17 Pro Case Inspired by the Lisa and Macintosh

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Spigen keeps one foot planted firmly in Apple’s past. Their retro-inspired cases have become something of a signature move, from iMac G3 translucent homages to see-through AirPods cases that capture Jony Ive’s obsession with showing off internal components. The accessory maker has proven there’s a market for nostalgia you can actually use.

The Classic LS marks a pivot from colorful transparency to utilitarian elegance. Celebrating Apple’s 50th anniversary, this new case reaches back to the Macintosh 128k and Apple Lisa era, when computers came in beige enclosures and harbored revolutionary ambitions. The platinum-gray finish, ridged camera module, and rainbow logo placement all reference those iconic machines. Spigen has managed to honor the design legacy and vision Steve Jobs set in motion while keeping features like MagSafe and Camera Control Button functionality intact.

Design: Spigen

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Pivoting to the 128k and Lisa is a deliberate, almost academic move compared to their previous work. The iMac G3 was about making computers seem fun and harmless; the Macintosh was about making them seem possible. This case captures that earlier, more serious ethos. The horizontal ridges around the camera module directly evoke the necessary ventilation slats of those CRT-era machines, and the case’s texture feels like a direct nod to the plastics of the time.

All this design reverence would be wasted if it didn’t work as an actual case for a 2026 flagship. Spigen is limiting this to the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, with built-in support for the Camera Control Button (rather than a mere cutout). For $39.99, you get the expected MagSafe ring and a discrete lanyard cutout, so the aesthetic doesn’t compromise modern convenience. This is a piece of designed history that actually functions as a daily driver, not just a shelf-bound novelty item.

It’s just refreshing to see an accessory that has a real, informed opinion. The market is drowning in a sea of identical clear cases and minimalist leather folios that say absolutely nothing. The Classic LS, however, makes a statement. It’s for a different kind of Apple enthusiast, one who appreciates the foundational designs that made today’s devices possible. It wraps a sleek, modern slab of technology in something with texture, history, and a point of view. Spigen has managed to create a product that feels both nostalgic and completely current.

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The post Apple’s 50th Anniversary Gets a Retro iPhone 17 Pro Case Inspired by the Lisa and Macintosh first appeared on Yanko Design.

This transparent Spigen shell turns your Mac mini into a tiny iMac G3 and I kind of love it

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Spigen just launched a plastic shell that turns your Mac mini into a time machine. The Classic C1 wraps Apple’s minimalist aluminum cube in translucent plastic inspired by the iMac G3, complete with Bondi Blue and Tangerine colorways that defined Apple’s most playful era. For $32.99, your desk gets an instant injection of late ’90s nostalgia without sacrificing any of the Mac mini’s modern functionality.

The case feels like Spigen asking “what if Apple never stopped being fun?” The iMac G3 saved the company in 1998 by proving computers could be joyful instead of boring beige boxes. Now that same translucent aesthetic wraps around Apple’s most compact desktop, creating a bridge between two completely different design philosophies. The Mac mini stays minimalist underneath while the C1 shell broadcasts personality loud enough to make your entire workspace smile.

Designer: Spigen

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You’d almost expect a $45 plastic accessory to feel like a cheap gimmick, but peeling back the layers reveals some genuinely clever engineering. The exploded view shows this is a multi-part assembly, not some flimsy snap-on lid. Its base is a precisely molded cradle with ventilation slots that align perfectly with the Mac mini’s own air intake. The whole thing is built from a sturdy blend of PMMA, acrylic, and PVC that gives it the authentic heft and feel of turn-of-the-millennium hardware. This isn’t just a costume; it’s a well-made suit of armor.

It’s the smaller, nerdier details that really sell the execution. The vertical grilles on the sides are a direct homage to the Power Mac G4 Cube, yet they also provide functional ventilation for a machine that can get surprisingly warm. That clear base also elevates the entire unit just enough to improve airflow from below, and the inclusion of a simple dust filter is a practical touch most companies would skip. This is what separates a thoughtful tribute from a lazy cash-grab, proving someone at Spigen actually did their homework on Apple’s golden age.

Let’s face it, the Mac mini is an incredibly boring-looking box. It’s a marvel of miniaturization, sure, but it has all the personality of a corporate paperweight. The C1 completely upends that sterile aesthetic, swapping the cold, professional feel of aluminum for the warm, inviting glow of colored plastic. It reminds you that technology can be approachable and even a little bit weird. It turns an appliance back into a companion, something with a presence that does more than just sit there and compute.

Ultimately, this little plastic shell is a rebellion against the sea of monotonous silver and gray (we even wrote about an iMac G3-inspired Apple Watch just yesterday!) Given CES is in another week or so, we’re prepared for an onslaught of sleek silver or black boxes that do a lot without having much character. But for thirty-three bucks, you get to reclaim a bit of that lost optimism as an existing (or prospective) Apple Mac mini owner. It’s a small, delightful declaration that our desktops don’t have to be so damn serious (aka boring) all the time.

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The post This transparent Spigen shell turns your Mac mini into a tiny iMac G3 and I kind of love it first appeared on Yanko Design.

Spigen’s AirPods Pro 2 Case gives it a See-Through-Effect and MagSafe Capabilities

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Don’t go out and buy a Beats Studio Buds + just yet because Spigen’s new AirPods Pro 2 case gives it a similar transparent design. The protective case guards your AirPods from accidental bumps and falls, while also giving it a few details of its own in the form of a carabiner clip, and built-in magnets that allow the AirPods Pro 2 case to snap onto Apple’s MagSafe charger. However, the one highlight is the case’s transparent graphic that outlines all the AirPods’ internal parts from the screws and PCBs, to the chipset and even the wireless charging coil at the back.

Designer: Spigen

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These transparent Ultra Hybrid Zero One covers for the AirPods Pro 2 follow Spigen’s foray into transparent cases for the iPhone too, inspired directly by the gorgeous iMac G3 designs from the good old days. The covers ultimately provide a layer of Spigen-backed physical protection to the AirPods case, shielding it from bumps and scratches thanks to an impact-resistant PolyCarbonate (PC) and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) build. The cover fits snugly around the case, with air-pockets around the corners to help provide an added layer of cushioning. The AirPods case’s lanyard hole is left exposed for you to use, although the other side has a slot for a carabiner clip to slide in.

Perhaps the most alluring thing about the Zero One covers is their eye-catching graphics. Following the transparency trend that’s been taking the tech and gaming world by storm, the Zero One cases have a faux transparent graphic on them too, outlining all of the AirPods Pro 2’s inner components. Obviously, it isn’t all accurate (I assume Apple’s lawyers would ensure that), but it makes a pretty strong insinuation. If you’re looking for a truly transparent AirPods Pro 2 case, we know a guy…

The case is designed to be compatible with older AirPods Pro 2 versions with the lightning port as well as new variants with the USB-C port in their base. It even has a transparent window for the AirPods case’s built-in status LED, allowing you to see the charging, battery, and connection status of your TWS earbuds.

Flip the case over and your eye will notice six cleverly placed Phillips-head screws in the graphic. These screws aren’t really indicative of the AirPods case’s construction but rather are strategic markings for the Zero One cover’s built-in magnets. Designed to be compatible with Apple’s MagSafe charger, the magnets allow your AirPods case to snap right in place, charging almost instantaneously.

The cover comes with its own carabiner clip, which you can either remove, or use as a means to loop your AirPods Pro 2 to your bag, pant, or jacket. The Spigen Ultra Hybrid Zero Union cover for the AirPods Pro 2 starts at $44.99 on Spigen’s own site, although it’s available for a sizeable discount on Spigen’s Amazon storefront.

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The post Spigen’s AirPods Pro 2 Case gives it a See-Through-Effect and MagSafe Capabilities first appeared on Yanko Design.