Apple to Stock iPhone 5 Cases Later This Month At Retail Stores

According to insider sources at Apple’s retail operations, the company will begin to stock cases for the iPhone 5 later this month at retail stores.

Up until now, Apple has not stocked or made available any cases for the iPhone 5 and consumers looking for added protection to their smartphone have to turn to third-party retailers. Apple has also not made available any cases or shells for the iPhone 5 either; an Apple bumper was made available for the iPhone 4 when that device launched.

Read: Best iPhone 5 Cases

9to5 Mac is reporting that the cases may begin appearing in stores starting October 22nd, but the timing can change. It’s also unclear if Apple will begin offering third-party cases on its website as well as in retail stores at the same time. The company is said to be in the process of testing various third-party cases and selecting the ones it would like to offer to consumers in its stores at this time.

Cases have been sought after by consumers who have purchased the iPhone 5 since the device launched late September. The smartphone has been reported to be scratched easily because of the materials used, particularly the aluminum shell, which can show scuffs and dents easily because it’s a softer metal, and the black iPhone 5 model may have its paint chipped. Apple has since issued a statement that such conditions are ‘normal’ and are part of the wear and tear of using the device daily.

This isn’t the first time that Apple’s design has been criticized. When the iPhone 4 launched with glass front and back plates, many criticized Apple at that time due to the fact that glass was fragile and may break when the phone is dropped. Additionally, the glass back was also prone to scratching.

In addition to cases, iPhone 5 accessories are also hard to find right now. Apple’s Lightning to USB cable has been regularly sold out at Apple stores and the company’s 30-pin to Lightning adapter has only begun to be shipped to consumers.