Review: Pitaka Samsung S25 series PinButton and Tactile Woven Cases

Review samples provided by Pitaka

Pitaka has updated their PinButton and Tactile Woven cases for the Samsung S25 Ultra, and they sent me few to test.

By the way, also check out my S25 Ultra review that I've published recently.

PinButton case (USD 69.99)

Pros and cons at a glance
+ Beautiful design
+ Individual cutout for camera
+ Good all-around protection
+ Adds 3 customisable shortcut buttons
+ MagSafe compatible
+ Good grip
- Shortcut buttons can become less clicky with use
- Shortcut buttons do not work on locked screen
- Edges of power/volume buttons has paint wear off
- Very susceptible to fingerprints
- Not available for S25 and S25+ yet

This is an expensive case, but this is also the most functional case I've ever seen.

Why? The PinButton case adds three customisable shortcut buttons on the left. Having three extra shortcut buttons to use is incredibly convenient.

Downside is the buttons do not work when the phone is locked. Switching between apps using those buttons is not possible when the camera app is in use. But you can switch between apps using the shortcut buttons as long as camera app is not in use.

The three buttons have firm clicks but after using for two weeks I feel the buttons are less clicky.

Customising the three buttons involves going into Settings - Modes and Routines - Routines - enable NFC tagged, press the button to recognise the button, then set your shortcut. It's easy.

There individual cutouts for each camera. This prevents dust from going between the lens ring and phone body.

The case is very susceptible to fingerprints unfortunately.

The first review sample the company sent me has noticeable misalignment. For a phone case this expensive, the fitting should be perfect so if your does not fit nicely, you should ask for a replacement. So the replacement case I received (shown above) now has perfect fitting.

Top edges of the case is above the glass and there's allowance for screen protectors.

The case is MagSafe compatible and magnets are strong.

The case can be used with Pitaka's lanyard too.

There are some downsides to the PinButton case, but the extra functionality of the three shortcut buttons is undeniably useful. This is no doubt the ultimate case for the Samsung S25 Ultra.

Tactile woven case (USD 59.99)

Pros and cons at a glance
+ Beautiful design
+ Thin and lightweight
+ MagSafe compatible
- Difficult to remove the hard case
- Does not protect all the edges and sides

The tactile woven case is for those who prefer the thinnest case possible. There are several designs to choose from and the designs look beautiful.

Downside is the case does protect all sides. The top frame around the volume buttons and USB-C ports are exposed.

Even the top edge of the phone is not covered. The case has a hard shell so if the case does cover all edges, it would be incredibly difficult to remove.

You can pair the phone case with a MagEZ Grip with matching colours.

These cases are quite susceptible to fingerprints too, but fingerprints are not as obvious compared to a black surface.

I like these cases because they are so thin and lightweight, but I prefer full protection for my phone.

3-in-1 phone strap lanyard (USD 29.90)

Pros and cons at a glance
+ Design looks good
+ Lanyard strap is thick and comfortable
+ Strap can be used as neck strap, or wrist strap
- Edges of the metal parts shows wear after 2 weeks
- Hooking and unhooking is not as easy due to the hook's design

I've been using lanyard cases for years. My phone is big so it's difficult to sit down with the phone in my pocket. And pulling the phone in and out of the pocket is not as convenient to having it out all the time.

This lanyard that Pitaka sells cost USD 29 which is pricy because a generic brandless one can be found easily for less than USD 10.

The upside is the Pitaka lanyard quality seems good. The string of the landyard is thick, stretchy and comfortable.

There's a small piece of metal to insert between the phone and case. On the metal is a piece of sticker which I'm not sure if it's there to prevent scratching the phone's back.

Rings and hooks are well made and feels really solid. The edges will have wear and tear easily, and will appear shiny against the darker metal which probably has some coating.

MagEZ Grip (USD 24.90)

This MagEZ grip has been updated to have a foldable ring that can deploy the phone case at an even higher angle.

The magnet is really strong and the grip also lets you hold the phone more comfortably.

Conclusion

These Pitaka accessories for the Samsung S25 series phones are quite well made. There are pros and cons for each product so you have to decide the compromises you can accept.

I love the PinButton case because the three shortcut buttons are so useful. I have one button assigned to Black Magic Camera app because the default Samsung Camera app does not have settings that I need. I have another button assigned to the Gallery so that I quickly can look at the photos and videos I just took. Last button is to the calculator.

If you're interested to get any of these Pitaka accessories, you can buy them from Pitaka online store.