Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Arc Pulse is a two-piece metal bumper for iPhone 18 Pro that protects selected edges, corners and the camera area while leaving much of the phone exposed. That open design is its appeal if you want to keep the phone’s look and avoid a conventional full-shell case; it is also why it is not the right pick for anyone seeking broad surface coverage.
In a September 23, 2026 hands-on review, Justin Kahn of 9to5Toys praised its fit and the minimalist concept, but found the top shoulders bulky-looking and the display lip more prominent than he preferred. His favorable verdict is conditional: this is a polished take on a skeleton bumper, not a substitute for an enclosed case.
What Arc Pulse is—and what it leaves exposed
Arc Pulse is a two-piece metal bumper designed for iPhone 18 Pro. The 9to5Toys review describes upper and lower pieces that slide onto the phone without adhesive; Arc describes a pressure-fitting metal shell with an elastomer inlay on its official product page. Its coverage is selective: it reinforces particular edges and corners and surrounds the camera area, but does not enclose the back or frame in the way a full-shell case does.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
That distinction matters more than the word “protective.” A protected corner landing and a scrape across an uncovered back are different kinds of accidents. CASEBX notes that exposed surfaces remain vulnerable to scratches and impacts, but does not quantify a failure rate or establish how often either scenario occurs. If your priority is broad coverage, choose a conventional full-shell case instead of treating this bumper as an equivalent alternative.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with: The bumper case compatible with iPhone 18 Pro, Slim fit bumper frame no back and frameless, wireless charging compatible
- No Back Metal Bumper Case: Backless and frameless aluminum alloy bumper frame, metal bumper case for iPhone 18 Pro
- Compatible with MagSafe: No back design, the bumper case compatible with Magsafe charger, wireless charging compatible
- Material and Protection: Made of high quality aluminum alloy metal and TPU material, comfortable gripping, slim and fits perfectly, protects your phone from shocks, bumps, scratches, and drops
- Heat Dissipation: No back design to ensure the heat dissipation of your iPhone 18 Pro, Ensure that the phone can be used smoothly, which is the biggest feature of this case
How it fits and works in everyday use
Kahn reports that the sections slide into place with a precise fit and no adhesive. His review says the design leaves buttons, ports, microphones and speakers accessible and is intended to preserve wireless charging. Those are features reported by the reviewer, not independent test results established here.
The fitting approach keeps the case open and relatively visually unobtrusive, but there is less material between the phone and its surroundings than with an enclosure. It is best understood as selective protection for someone willing to live with exposed surfaces—not as a case that covers every likely contact point.
Rank #2
- [Compatibility] Compatible with iPhone 18 Pro/17 Pro, 6.3 inch, This is a metal bumper frame case without back cover
- [Material and Protection] The bumper case is made of high quality aluminum alloy metal and soft TPU material, the raised edge of the frame can well protect the screen and camera from scratches, 4 corners Shockproof protection design, more protects your iPhone
- [Compatible with MagSafe & Wireless Charging Compatible] No back design, compatible with magsafe and magnetic accessories, supports wireless fast charging, no need to take off the phone case when going to wirelessly charging, very convenient
- [Excellent Heat Dissiption] Unobstructed heat dissipation, uncompromised phone performance, don’t worry about the phone’s running speed being affected by the phone’s heat when you continue to play your iPhone or playing games, this is something that other phone cases cannot do
- [Comfortable Gripping] Ultra slim and sharply outlined metal frame bring comfortable gripping, very silky touch feeling, And effectively prevent fingerprint marks, you can enjoy the original skin touch of the iPhone
What the hands-on review liked—and what bothered the reviewer
Kahn’s overall assessment was strongly positive for this style of case. He wrote, “In fact, it is still the best one I have ever tested out,” referring to metal skeleton bumper cases he had personally tested. That is his subjective comparison, not a general durability ranking.
The fit and open design
The slide-on, adhesive-free fit was a strength in the review. The case preserves access to the phone’s controls and openings while keeping much of the device visible. For an owner who would otherwise use the phone nearly caseless, that balance may be the point.
Rank #3
- [Compatibility] Compatible with iPhone 18 Pro, 6.3 inch, This is a metal minimalist bumper frame without back cover
- [Material and Protection] The bumper case is made of high quality aluminum alloy metal and soft TPU material, the raised edge of the frame can well protect the screen and camera from scratches, 4 corners Shockproof protection design, more protects your iPhone
- [Compatible with MagSafe & Wireless Charging Compatible] No back design, compatible with magsafe and magnetic accessories, supports wireless fast charging, no need to take off the phone case when going to wirelessly charging, very convenient
- [Excellent Heat Dissiption] Unobstructed heat dissipation, uncompromised phone performance, don’t worry about the phone’s running speed being affected by the phone’s heat when you continue to play your iPhone or playing games, this is something that other phone cases cannot do
- [Comfortable Gripping] Ultra slim and sharply outlined metal frame bring comfortable gripping, very silky touch feeling, And effectively prevent fingerprint marks, you can enjoy the original skin touch of the iPhone
The shoulders and display lip
The reviewer’s main aesthetic objection was the upper section: its shoulders looked too bulky to him and interrupted the phone’s shape. He also felt the lip around the display came farther forward than he wanted. Those judgments are subjective, but worth considering if preserving the phone’s outline is a central reason you are considering a skeleton case.
Matte Dark Red against Burgundy
On the Matte Dark Red sample, Kahn found that the finish complemented Apple’s Burgundy color but did not exactly match it in every lighting condition. That is one reviewer’s observation about that finish and phone color, not a guarantee of how the combination will look to every owner.
Rank #4
![Metal Bumper Case for iPhone 17 Pro / 18 Pro, Aluminum Frame Slim Case [Soft Silicone Inner Bumper][Raised Edge Protection] HD Tempered Glass Screen Protector Cover for iPhone 17 Pro / 18 Pro](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41dHShteu6L._SL160_.jpg)
- 【Bumper Case for iPhone 17 Pro / 18 Pro & Precise Hole Cutting】Eastcoo bumper case for iPhone 17 Pro / 18 Pro specially designed with 0.6mm raised up around screen and none back cover to ensure Zero Signal Interference and shockproof. Precise micron level measurement standard hole cutting process helps to easy access to all buttons, ports, camera, speakers and connector. (NOTE: Please Select the Right Model Before Order)
- 【Slim Fit Design & Metal Plating Industrial Art】Eastcoo ultra-thin lightweight bumper case for iPhone 17 Pro / 18 Pro offers essential protection and does not cover the back of the phone. The slim fit bumper case shows the original look of your new smartphone like original and won’t add any bulk. The metal texture finishes making holding more comfortable and luxury.
- 【Metal Plating Bumper Case & Tempered Glass Protector Film】Package includes One lightweight bumper case for iPhone 17 Pro / 18 Pro and one piece tempered glass screen protective film. Provide screen and bumper edge prorection for Phone with one-step.
- 【Lightweight & Wireless Charging Support】Easctoo case compatible with iPhone 17 Pro / 18 Pro is super lightweight and made by high quality plastic materials and built-in soft silicone. Support wireless charging when wearing the phone case. Easy to use and you will never worry about charging problems.
- 【Eastcoo Professional Quality Worth Your Trust】Eastcoo is professional phone case factory and we do various phone cases for most smart phones.You can trust our team. It's really worth to have such a slim case for your phone or send your family as presents. If any problems when using, please contact us directly and our Eastcoo team will help within 24 Hours.
How much drop protection does it offer?
The 9to5Toys feature list reports a claim of protection from drops up to 3 m (10 ft), while Arc’s product page also makes drop-protection claims. These are manufacturer claims, not a promise that a phone will survive a fall from that height. CASEBX explicitly says it did not physically drop-test the case and that the manufacturer’s protection claims have not been independently verified.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Because the case leaves much of the phone uncovered, a claimed height cannot be read as all-around protection in every landing or against every surface. The design covers selected zones; impacts and scrapes to uncovered areas remain a separate risk.
Best Value
- [Compatibility] Compatible with iPhone 18 Pro, 6.3 inch, This is a metal bumper frame case without back cover
- [Material and Protection] The bumper case is made of high quality aluminum alloy metal and soft TPU material, the raised edge of the frame can well protect the screen and camera from scratches, 4 corners Shockproof protection design, more protects your iPhone
- [Compatible with MagSafe & Wireless Charging Compatible] No back design, compatible with magsafe and magnetic accessories, supports wireless fast charging, no need to take off the phone case when going to wirelessly charging, very convenient
- [Excellent Heat Dissiption] Unobstructed heat dissipation, uncompromised phone performance, don’t worry about the phone’s running speed being affected by the phone’s heat when you continue to play your iPhone or playing games, this is something that other phone cases cannot do
- [Comfortable Gripping] Ultra slim and sharply outlined metal frame bring comfortable gripping, very silky touch feeling, And effectively prevent fingerprint marks, you can enjoy the original skin touch of the iPhone
Finishes and reported U.S. prices
The prices below were listed by 9to5Toys in its September 23, 2026 hands-on review. They are dated reported U.S. prices, not confirmation of current pricing or availability.
| Finish | Reported U.S. price |
|---|---|
| Matte Black | $69.99 |
| Polished Silver | $89.99 |
| Polished Graphite | $99.99 |
| Matte Light Blue | $119.99 |
| Matte Dark Red | $119.99 |
| Polished Gold | $129.99 |
| Titanium Onyx Black | $299.99 |
The September 9, 2026 launch report listed the same finish lineup and prices, describing Titanium Onyx Black as a higher-priced special finish. The listed aluminum finishes span $69.99 to $129.99, while titanium was listed at $299.99. The available evidence does not establish that titanium’s advertised drop protection justifies the added cost; choose it for its finish or material only if that premium makes sense to you.
Prices and availability can change. Check Arc’s current product page before buying. Arc’s page also presents a compatible screen protector as an optional bundle item if you want to add display coverage, but that does not turn the bumper into a full-shell case.
Who should buy Arc Pulse?
- Consider it if you like the bare-phone look, would otherwise go nearly caseless, and accept that much of the back and frame stays exposed.
- Look elsewhere if you want the phone’s back and sides broadly enclosed against scratches and impacts; a conventional full-shell case is a better match for that priority.
- Inspect the shape and finish carefully if bulky shoulders, a forward display lip or a close color match matter to you. The reviewer specifically noticed the first two, and his Dark Red sample did not exactly match Burgundy in every light.
- Evaluate the price by finish rather than assuming the most expensive option provides proportionally better protection. The reported titanium price was substantially above the listed aluminum finishes, and no evidence here establishes a protection advantage that accounts for the difference.
Verdict
Arc Pulse is a compelling metal skeleton case for iPhone 18 Pro owners who value an open, lightweight-looking bumper more than complete surface coverage. The hands-on reviewer liked the precise, adhesive-free fit and the concept, while objecting to the top shoulders and display lip. Buy it only with a clear understanding that its selective protection leaves substantial areas exposed; if you want a case to cover the phone comprehensively, choose a full-shell design.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
