The Selfix case, custom-built for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, recently launched on Kickstarter with a retail price of $129. The product aims to help users leverage the superior quality of the rear camera for selfies by embedding a circular display on the back of the phone, bypassing the limitations of front-facing cameras in low light and overall image quality.
However, according to hands-on testing by The Verge, the execution falls short of the concept. The case features a 1.6-inch circular screen with thick bezels, which severely limits the field of view. Testers noted that users are often forced to frame shots by intuition, as there is a significant discrepancy between what is shown on the rear screen and the actual captured image.
Poor Hardware Design
Beyond the framing issues, the device suffers from major design flaws. The prototype struggled with tap-to-focus, forcing users to rely on the physical volume buttons to trigger the shutter. Furthermore, the case is excessively bulky and lacks wireless charging support. It does include a microSD card slot for expandable storage, but this comes at a significant cost to overall portability.
Perhaps most concerning are the privacy risks. Because the screen mirrors the phone’s main display in real-time, users who forget to turn it off risk exposing sensitive information, such as banking apps, in public spaces. Additionally, the accessory does not support wired CarPlay or data transfer; users must remove the case entirely if they need to connect their phone to a computer.
While Selfix attempts to justify its price tag by bundling storage expansion and protection, its core feature—the selfie-assist screen—remains fundamentally flawed. For users prioritizing a seamless photography experience, even the $79 early-bird price is unlikely to outweigh the product’s shortcomings in usability and security.
