Android Phone Maker OnePlus Launches ‘Sandstone’ iPhone Case Just In Time For Xmas

It’s been a busy year for OnePlus. The Chinese company unveiled its much-anticipated OnePlus 2 this summer and followed that up with the OnePlus X in October. Now, the Shenzhen-based Android phone maker is closing the year with one final small — but interesting — release… an iPhone case.

Yes, that’s right. OnePlus has put its signature sandstone finish into a case that’ll house an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6s.

Why, you ask?

I have my own thoughts — it’s a fun promotion for publicity (like this story) and also a way to raise the brand among Apple customers — but OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei told TechCrunch that is a gesture for those in the world who are “stuck” with iPhones.

“Although most of my friends have converted to the OnePlus family, there’s still a hand full stuck with iPhones. This is for them. I think a lot of OnePlus fans can relate,” Pei said in a statement.

Cynicism aside — and I am usually pretty cynical about PR stunts — I was pretty surprise by the case, which OnePlus sent out to me in the mail. (I’m one of those poor Apple users I guess.)

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The finish is unlike other premium iPhone covers I’ve seen before, the texture gives you a strong grip and the case feels sturdy enough and heavy duty — I’m really not a fan of Apple’s all-silicon options. Ultimately the choice of case is a personal decision, but those I showed the case to thought it was pretty neat.

Given this time of the year, it might make for a unique Christmas present. The OnePlus iPhone case is available on its online store for $19.99/£15.99.

For that price you’ll also get an invite to buy the company’s OnePlus X device — that’s a move that has had some people accusing OnePlus of effectively selling the invite. I think that’s a little unfair, this is a fun move from a company that is into PR stunts (having hopefully learned a lesson from past failures). My only irritation is that there is no OnePlus case for the iPhone 6 Plus or iPhone 6S Plus — my phone of choice — but we can chalk that up as a first world problem.