Arc makes one of my favourite iPhone cases – the minimalst slide-on Pulse. It’s the one that surrounds the camera bump and the bottom of your device, leaving the design completely visible. But at CES 2026, I got a chance to try the Titanium Opal Damascus Arc Pulse – a super limited version of the minimalist case that costs more than my iPhone.
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This isn’t made like any other metal device, this thing is forged like a Japanese chef knife. Thin layers of titanium are stacked in a sealed steel chamber, purged with argon gas, then heated beyond 2000°F until they melt into a single billet. From there, it’s stretched, folded, and reheated until it forms these interlocking wave patterns.
Each one is oxidised to reveal swirling unique opal hues, making no two cases alike. It’s not painted, it’s not dipped, it’s actually baked into the metal. I got hands-on time with it clipped onto my iPhone, and I’ll say this: it looks like nothing else. It’s just as light as the regular Arc Pulse, but with a polished-metal finish that really shows off its design when it catches the light.
But let’s be real – this certainly isn’t for everyone. It’s not even really for most people. At $1600, this Titanium Opal Damascus case is firmly in art piece territory. That price gets you the case and a hand-finished wooden presentation box, but mostly, it gets you into a very exclusive club. Arc wants to reposition itself from a technology brand into a lifestlye brand – and this case definitely requires a certain lifestyle.
Only 100 of these are being made. To even be considered to buy, you’ve got to register an application with Arc. Availability is strictly limited, and registering doesn’t guarantee you’ll get one – it just gets you on the waitlist.
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