You finally picked the perfect color for your iPhone 13—maybe that deep Midnight or the subtle Sierra Blue—and the last thing you want to do is hide it behind a thick, chunky slab of black plastic. So, you go for a clear case. It seems like a no-brainer. But if you’ve spent more than five minutes on an iPhone forum lately, you know the "clear case struggle" is very real.
Most people think a clear case is just a clear case. You grab the $12 one on Amazon, it looks great for exactly three weeks, and then suddenly it looks like it’s been soaking in a vat of tea. Honestly, it’s frustrating.
Choosing a clear iPhone 13 case that actually stays clear and protects your phone requires knowing a bit about the chemistry of what’s in your pocket. It's not just about the "anti-yellowing" marketing buzzwords; it's about the materials that actually fight back against UV rays and hand oils.
Why Your Clear Case Is Turning That Gross Yellow Color
Let’s get the science out of the way first because it’ll save you money in the long run. Most clear cases are made of a material called TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane). It’s great for absorbing shocks when you drop your phone on a sidewalk, but it has a fatal flaw: it's naturally yellowish.
Manufacturers add a tiny bit of blue dye to make the case look crystal clear when you pull it out of the box. But as soon as you expose that TPU to UV light (sunlight) or the heat from your hand, the molecules start to break down. This is called photo-oxidation. Basically, the blue dye wears out, and the "natural" yellow of the plastic starts to bleed through.
You can’t scrub it off. It’s not dirt. It’s the material itself literally changing its chemical structure.
The Polycarbonate Hack
If you want a case that stays clear for a year or more, look for one that uses Polycarbonate (PC) on the back. Unlike TPU, PC is a hard plastic that doesn't have that same yellowing problem.
- Apple’s Official Clear Case: It’s made entirely of polycarbonate. It will basically never turn yellow. The downside? It’s slippery. It feels like holding a wet bar of soap sometimes, and the bottom is left open, which leaves your port area vulnerable.
- Hybrid Cases: Brands like Spigen (with their Ultra Hybrid) or ESR use a hard PC back and TPU sides. This gives you the grip you need on the edges but keeps the back looking pristine. Just know that the sides will eventually yellow, even if the back doesn't.
The MagSafe Dilemma: To Ring or Not to Ring?
When the iPhone 13 launched, MagSafe was the big selling point. If you use a MagSafe wallet or charger, you need those magnets in the case.
Some people hate the look of the white or silver ring on a clear case. I get it. It interrupts the "clean" look. But if you buy a clear case without those magnets, your MagSafe accessories will barely stick. They’ll slide right off in your car or pocket.
Actually, some newer 2026-era cases use "ghost" magnets or ultra-thin magnetic arrays that are less visible, but for the most part, you have to decide if you value the aesthetic or the function. Personally, I’d take the ring over a wallet falling off in the middle of a grocery store.
Real Protection vs. Just a "Scratched-Up Shield"
There’s a massive difference between a case that stops scratches and one that stops a screen from shattering.
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If you're someone who drops their phone once a day, you need air-pocket corners. Brands like Caudabe and Speck have clear cases that look thin but have internal ridges that compress during an impact.
I’ve seen people use those "paper-thin" clear cases from brands like Totallee. They look incredible—it’s like the phone is naked. But those cases provide zero drop protection. They are strictly for preventing scratches from keys or coins. Drop an iPhone 13 from waist height in one of those, and you’re looking at a $279 screen repair.
Grip Matters More Than You Think
The biggest irony of the clear iPhone 13 case is that clear plastic is often more slippery than the phone itself.
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Look for cases with "micro-dot" textures on the inside. This prevents that "rainbow effect" (where the case looks like it has oil spots trapped inside) and often gives the outside a slightly better feel. Dbrand’s Ghost Case or Rhinoshield’s Clear series are often cited by enthusiasts for having better-than-average grip for transparent materials.
How to Actually Clean a Clear Case (And What to Avoid)
If your case is just dirty—not yellowed—you can actually save it.
- Mild Dish Soap: Use warm water and a drop of Dawn. Use a soft toothbrush to get into the corners where dust and lint like to hide.
- Isopropyl Alcohol: A quick wipe with a 70% alcohol pad can kill bacteria and remove stubborn oils from your skin.
- Avoid Bleach: Seriously, don't do it. Bleach can actually accelerate the breakdown of the plastic and make the yellowing worse.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Purchase
If you're currently shopping for a way to protect your iPhone 13 while showing off its design, here is exactly what to do:
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- Check the material list. If it doesn't mention "Polycarbonate back," expect it to turn yellow in 3-6 months.
- Decide on MagSafe. If you use a magnetic car mount, don't skimp. Buy a case with the built-in magnetic ring.
- Look for a 1mm lip. Make sure the case has a raised edge around the screen and the camera bump. The iPhone 13 cameras stick out quite a bit; you don't want them touching the table every time you set your phone down.
- Think about the "Slippery Factor." If you have small hands or find the iPhone 13 Pro (which is heavy!) hard to hold, avoid all-polycarbonate cases. Go for a hybrid with TPU "grippy" edges.
Maintaining that "out of the box" look isn't impossible, you just have to be realistic about how plastic ages. If you really can't stand the yellowing, honestly, just buy two cheap $15 cases and swap them out every six months. It’s often cheaper than buying one $60 "premium" case that eventually succumbs to the sun anyway.