NOMAD cases for iPhone 13, with MagSafe and virtual contact card

We tested the new Nomad Sport Case covers, compatible with MagSafe and also with an NFC function that includes a virtual business card that you can share simply by bringing your mobile closer to another mobile.

Design and main features

Nomad ditches leather, a house brand for years, for plastic. These new cases have the same TPU frame around the entire edge of the iPhone, but the back is no longer in its signature Horween leather but in glossy plastic finished in different colors: Lunar Grey, Dune, Ash Green and Navy Blue. These colors match the colors of your Apple Watch sport bands, so you can go perfectly combined with your iPhone and your smartwatch. The finish on this color is glossy which raised a lot of doubts in my mind regarding the scratch resistance despite Nomad claiming the resistance is high. Indeed, after a few weeks of use and without intentional maintenance, the back of my case is still impeccable.

Another detail that changes in the Nomad covers and which hopefully will remain with the aluminum buttons. Apple does this on their leather cases, I don’t know of any other manufacturer that does this on their cases, and I’m glad Nomad made the decision to use these new fantastic feel metal buttons, with an excellent pulsation and a very good feedback. That said, you now want aluminum buttons on the covers.

Of course, they are compatible with the MagSafe system, essential today to decide to carry a suitcase. This system started with a lot of doubts, and although I think it still has a long way to go, for me it has become fundamental, and it would be difficult for me to carry a case that did not include it. Put it in the car holder, on the charger on my desk, on the bedside table, put the MagSafe wallet on it… No MagSafe, no play. It also doesn’t include it in any way , it’s a very strong grip, like what you can expect from original Apple cases. And as with Apple cases, inside you’ll only see a small circular mark on the microfiber, no stickers or other systems you’ll see from other manufacturers.

NFC business card

Protection and design are the two main functions of a mobile case, but Nomad has added one more which I think is a fantastic idea that I have never seen in a case before: include an NFC chip to “memorize” your business card in the case and share it with whoever you want in a simple way: you just have to bring your mobile closer to your case and bam! your contact card will appear on their mobile screen within seconds. For this, you need to create your business card in the Popl application (link), which has a free service and a paid service. The free is enough for most, but if you want a more professional and personalized look, you will have to go through the premium service.

Editor’s review

This year Nomad has launched a new case model which, leaving aside its classic leather, offers us a much more modern design while maintaining the same quality of finishes and protection. Available in the same colors as the Apple Watch bracelets, which is always interesting for many, they integrate a very useful NFC chip to include your contact card and share it with your friends, family or customers. Available for $33.99 at Macnificos (link) are one of the best cases you can buy today for your iPhone.

the inconvenients

• Glossy finish that will suffer over time