Over the years, tech geeks have watched in envy as fans of pop culture icons like Kamen Rider, Aliens, Pokémon, Back to the Future, and The Dark Knight got to flaunt their crazy, over-the-top iPhone cases. Meanwhile, there’s been nothing out there that screams, “I’m a huge tech geek!” Well, it looks like our cries have been heard by Printables member Retron Print, aka @AndrzejG because this legend has designed the iPhone Vintage Case—a glorious homage to ’80s and ’90s tech.
Now, before you get too excited, this case won’t turn your iPhone into a clunky old PC, and that’s exactly what makes it brilliant. It gives off that retro PC vibe without actually looking like one (because let’s be real, that would be absurd). However, like all novelty cases, the iPhone Retro Case does bulk up your phone quite a bit, but for the sake of nostalgia, it’s totally worth it.
The case has all the essentials: slots for sound to pass through and access to the USB-C or Lightning port, plus an opening for the power button. But here’s where things get interesting: not all buttons in this case are created equal. The case has a quirky off-centered design, with the right side of the phone having a much larger frame—at least three times wider than the left. This extra space is where the volume button and mute switch reside. Using a clever little mechanism, Retron Print has moved these controls to the front of the case. Sure, it may look counterintuitive, but let’s be honest, it’s pretty cool.
Rounding out the design is an oval frame that’s a cheeky nod to old CRT displays, without interfering with the screen’s functionality. And around the back? Long grooves, reminiscent of classic computer design elements, also provide a better grip. If this retro goodness is calling your name, you can snag the STL files on Printables.com and print the case yourself. It would cost you just 10 dollars—printing cost not included. The files are available for all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models.
