Telephones, particularly iPhones, do not come low cost. After you’ve got invested in a single, it is smart to get a case that’ll defend your gadget from the bumps, drops and scratches that include day by day use. For those who’re in search of a brand new case in your iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Professional, you’ve got come to the correct place. As all the time, we have included a large assortment of prime circumstances, together with worth choices, for the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Professional and 16 Professional Max, not simply premium picks from manufacturers like Otterbox and Speck.
Observe that Apple has redesigned the iPhone 16 with a brand new digital camera format and a programmable motion button, which means iPhone 15 and 14 circumstances gained’t match it. The identical is true for the iPhone 16 Professional fashions, that are barely bigger than their predecessors and embrace a digital camera management button (the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus even have it).
That digital camera management button has a number of implications for case designs. The button is touch-sensitive, so you may slide your finger up and down it to zoom out and in along with your iPhone’s digital camera, for instance. Some case corporations have chosen to do an enormous lower out on their circumstances to totally expose the button whereas others have a extra restricted cutout, which can make it more durable to entry the button. Lastly, Apple, Beats and Otterbox circumstances cowl the button fully however retain its touch-sensitivity, permitting you to make use of the swipe controls and not using a drawback.
Finest iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional circumstances of 2024
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Otterbox returns with its standard expansive lineup of circumstances for the iPhone 16. By way of toughness, the Defender Sequence XT and Defender Sequence Professional prime the road. Even the slimmer Figura, Symmetry Sequence Clear and OtterGrip Symmetry Sequence have wonderful drop safety.
I stay a fan of the Symmetry Sequence Comfortable Contact for MagSafe (pictured left), which has a pleasant, grippy soft-to-the-touch end that is much like what you get with the extremely likable Core Sequence circumstances Otterbox made for the iPhone 14. I additionally just like the Lumen Sequence (pictured proper), a transparent case that has eye-catching iridescent accents in its MagSafe parts.
For me, one other favourite Otterbox case for the iPhone 16 is the Symmetry Sequence Cactus Leather-based (pictured heart), which includes a cactus-based leather-based substitute in its design (Otterbox says the fake leather-based is organically grown and sustainably harvested from nopal cactus). The circumstances have a pleasant textured grip to them and can be found in engaging coloration choices. In my assessments, the circumstances have held up properly and are pretty scratch-resistant.
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Speck has introduced lots of its iPhone 15 case designs to the iPhone 16, together with such standard fashions because the Presidio Good-Clear, Presidio Lux and the Presidio2 Professional. Every Speck mannequin has good drop safety (8 to 13 ft, relying on the mannequin) in addition to Speck’s Microban antimicrobial safety. In addition they embrace ultra-responsive buttons for smoother clicks on the brand new programmable motion button.
It additionally returns its ClickLock case system, which is constructed on MagSafe: It is appropriate with any MagSafe accent however has an interlocking system that secures Speck’s ClickLock equipment to your case. Along with adhering to the case magnetically, the equipment — which vary in value from $30 to $50 — click on into just a little slot.
For individuals who personal the bigger and heavier iPhone 16 Plus or 16 Professional Max, it may be laborious to rely in your cellphone staying on a MagSafe automobile mount, particularly when you hit a bump. That is the place Speck’s ClickLock automobile vent mount helps. The pockets accent stays caught on the again of your cellphone; you do not have to fret about it slipping off whenever you put your cellphone in your pocket.
Regardless of which product you select, Speck typically offers a reduction for first-time consumers buying by way of its web site.
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ESR Kickstand circumstances aren’t your typical circumstances with an built-in kickstand. That is as a result of the kickstand does not flip out of the bottom of the case on the backside. As a substitute, it serves as a protecting ring round your digital camera lenses when it is retracted and never in use (ESR calls it a foldable stash stand). The stand might be prolonged wherever between 15° and 85° for snug, hands-free viewing. You will discover different generic circumstances on Amazon with a design like this, however ESR stands out for having a extra premium really feel to its worth circumstances.
The case options easy-press buttons with an uncovered divot for the brand new motion button in addition to MagSafe compatibility for wi-fi charging.
Observe which you could get the case in a tender silicone model (proven beneath), a thicker robust model (it actually is hard) and a easy clear model. I just like the tender silicone model, however the clear case is probably the most inexpensive, promoting for round $20. I can not vouch for the clear model not yellowing over time, however it’s a respectable finances possibility.
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Just a few years again Zagg purchased British case-maker Gear4 and continued promoting Gear4 circumstances beneath the unique model title. With the introduction of the iPhone 15, Gear4 circumstances formally develop into Zagg circumstances, however the high quality hasn’t modified — they’re proper up there with OtterBox and Speck, all of them that includes beveled edges to guard your cellphone and now infused with graphene for further sturdiness.
For the iPhone 16, Zagg has improved the design of its built-in kickstand for fashions that characteristic one — I just like the Denali with kickstand (pictured left) and the Crystal Palace with kickstand (image proper). I am additionally a fan of the Milan Snap in iridescent (pictured center left) and the brand new London Snap (heart proper), which is available in quite a lot of designs with a raised cloth exterior. A number of different case types can be found with eye-catching designs and robust drop safety as much as 16 ft.
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Spigen is understood for its worth circumstances for smartphones and it returns with its standard assortment of circumstances for the iPhone 16 collection, together with slim clear circumstances and barely thicker circumstances in its Powerful Armor and Rugged Armor that provide just a little extra safety. For those who’re in search of a cheap clear MagSafe case in your new iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Professional fashions, Spigen’s Extremely Hybrid MagFit is an effective worth for lower than $20. I like a few of the Extremely Hybrid fashions which have pc element accents built-in into them. These embrace the Extremely Hybrid Analogue (pictured), Zero One and Neo One.
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Cyrill is a sister model to Spigen, and its circumstances are arguably barely extra trendy, though they value a couple of dollars extra too. The UltraSheer Magazine is a semi-translucent frosted matte end. It additionally is available in a number of different design choices, though observe that until you get one of many stable colours, the designs are caught onto the floor of the case (they’re primarily stickers much like what Casetify does with its circumstances, which have develop into very costly).
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Rokform’s been making robust iPhone circumstances for years, and apart from their sturdiness, their key characteristic is the power to make use of them with numerous mounts, together with bike and motorbike mounts, which might be offered individually. Except for their mounting system, the opposite key characteristic is that they’re outfitted with arguably the strongest magnets for MagSafe equipment. I used each the Rokform Crystal and Rugged case with Apple’s FineWoven Pockets and the pockets caught to the circumstances extra securely than with any circumstances I’ve examined (I choose the Crystal case simply because I just like the look of it higher).
Rokform’s iPhone 16 circumstances have detachable magnets, they usually’re appropriate with wi-fi charging when you take away the included heart magnet. “With the decrease magnet nonetheless intact, you may nonetheless wireless-charge whereas using magnetic mounting and all of our mounts,” Rokform says.
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Torras makes a number of circumstances with built-in kickstands, however they every have their very own model of stand. They embrace a Slim Match case with a retractable kickstand ring across the digital camera and its normal Ostand case, which has a retractable ring across the MagSafe ring. New for the iPhone 16 is its 360-degree Spin Magnetic Stand case which has similarities to the Ostand case however the ring swivels 360 levels.
Except for the clear variations of the circumstances, which characteristic a tough plastic design, many of the different variations have a soft-touch end that gives good grip. MagSafe equipment adhere securely to the circumstances they usually additionally characteristic good drop safety (except for the Slim Match case, which is quite slim). Costs for Torras circumstances begin round $22 and go as much as round $45.
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Mageasy and SwitchEasy are owned by the identical dad or mum firm (Mageasy) and share some distinct similarities. I included SwitchEasy circumstances in my greatest iPhone 15 circumstances spherical up final yr, however I am highlighing Mageasy circumstances this yr. Ranging in value from $30-$80, there are a number of Mageasy case choices for the assorted iPhone 16 fashions, together with some that include a crossbody strap and retractable ring kickstand that rotates 360-degrees so you may prop up your cellphone in panorama or portrait mode. The Odyssey Extremely M Plus Strap ($80) is Mageasy’s flagship case and options 25-foot drop safety. Whereas the Odyssey M Plus Strap ($50) does not have the built-in kickstand, it’s extra inexpensive and in addition has wonderful 20-foot drop safety. They’re each out there in a number of coloration choices.
Observe that you do not have to make use of the circumstances with the strap. The eyelets are detachable. Simply do not lose them if you wish to use the strap sooner or later. I also needs to observe that whereas the Odyssey Extremely M is a very protecting case, it’s a bit weighty. Some less complicated Mageasy circumstances are lighter.
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City Armor Gear, additionally recognized merely as UAG, returns with quite a lot of case choices for the iPhone 16. A few of them are slimmer, extra compact fashions just like the Civilian (pictured in inexperienced on proper), Plyo, Important and Metropolis, whereas others just like the Pathfinder (pictured on left) and Monarch are just a little bulkier and extra rugged. As soon as once more, the hardest and costliest case is the Monarch Professional, however I am nonetheless a fan of the Plasma (pictured center proper), which now is available in an XTE model that integrates a retractable kickstand, which is sweet (Magsafe equipment stick securely to the ring). The slimmer Plyo XTE additionally has an built-in kickstand. All of UAG’s circumstances characteristic good nook safety and meet army drop-test requirements. They begin at $50 and go all the way in which as much as $80, however most are within the $50 to $60 vary.
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Caseology makes some respectable finances circumstances, together with the Athlex Magazine, Parallax, Twin Grip Magazine and Capella Magazine, all of which value lower than $20. Its Capella Magazine Kickstand is among the cheaper clear MagSafe circumstances we have seen that has a built-in kickstand that retracts into the case when not in use so you may connect MagSafe equipment. You’ll be able to see all of Caseology’s iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional circumstances right here.
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Atom Studios makes a number of totally different iPhone 16 circumstances, together with one which simply covers the again of your cellphone for whose who wish to go along with a minimalist case — or no case in any respect. However the one I like greatest from Atom is its Wooden Fiber case, which is made out of bits of recycled wooden fiber blended with pure substances derived from corn starch (it appears like textured plastic and has some grip to it). It additionally has an aluminum accent on the prime of the case that offers the case a extra premium look. The case is comparatively slim and gives stable 10-foot drop safety together with a stronger than common magnet for MagSafe equipment (I examined the case with a number of MagSafe-enabled wallets and kickstands).
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With their eye-catching artwork and patterns, Casely circumstances are just a little like Casetify circumstances besides they do not value almost as a lot. I do not like all of the designs, however there are many choices to select from, and the corporate does some attention-grabbing collaborations with museums (Van Gogh), in addition to dwelling artists. The circumstances themselves supply “military-grade” safety and really feel sturdy. Many are MagSafe-enabled. It is also value noting that the Casely website generally gives low cost codes or BOGO offers (purchase one case, get one free).
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Peak Design’s On a regular basis circumstances return for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Professional fashions. Obtainable in quite a lot of colours in nylon cloth and pretend leather-based, in addition to Loop mannequin, all of the On a regular basis circumstances are MagSafe-compatible in which you could join a MagSafe wi-fi charging puck and different magnetic MagSafe-compatible equipment to the case, together with wi-fi charging batteries, wallets and extra. They’ve Peak Design’s personal built-in magnetic locking system — the corporate calls it SlimLink — that connects to a large assortment of Peak Design’s cell mounts and equipment. That features bike mounts, charging stands, tripods, automobile mounts and extra. The circumstances are rated for 6-foot drop safety.
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Apple is not making leather-based circumstances for the iPhone 16, however others, together with Nomad, nonetheless are. Nomad’s line of leather-based circumstances for the iPhone 16 as soon as once more are available two grades of leather-based: the usual selection and a higher-end Horween that prices $20 extra ($70 quite than $50). At the very least the Horween model is designed to develop a “rugged” patina because the oils out of your pores and skin work together with the leather-based over time. The Trendy Leather-based Case is on the market in black, brown, English tan and a lighter pure coloration that I like. They’re rated for 10-foot (3-meter) drop safety and are outfitted with MagSafe. I additionally like Trendy Leather-based Folio pockets case, however as soon as once more the one disadvantage to the Folio case is that it does not convert right into a kickstand like some pockets circumstances do.
There’s additionally a extra inexpensive Sport model for $50 that is outfitted with MagSafe as properly. It isn’t a leather-based case, nevertheless it does look fairly slick. Moreover, Nomad gives the Rugged Case with “fortified” bumpers and 15-foot drop safety for $60 with MagSafe.
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Moft makes some good MagSafe equipment, together with wallets that convert into kickstands and an iPhone Tripod Stand. Its circumstances are additionally well-designed and engaging. It sells a really slim clear MagSafe case referred to as the Invisible Case for $40, however I like its fake leather-based Movas circumstances, which record for $50 however generally promote for $40. (Vegan leather-based is designed to feel and appear like actual leather-based however is artificial.) You’ll be able to see the corporate’s full suite of circumstances and equipment right here, together with its new Creator equipment that bundles a Movas case with a pockets stand, tripod stand and lanyard.
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We used to incorporate Pad & Quill leather-based circumstances in our greatest iPhone circumstances roundup. In 2023, that Minnesota firm morphed into Burton Items however sells very comparable premium leather-based circumstances for numerous Apple merchandise. For those who’re in search of a folio pockets case, there’s the Trendy Pocket Guide Pockets case ($90), which is a tad cumbersome however shops a number of bank cards and a bit of money. So far as non-folio circumstances go, the MagSafe-enabled Heritage Leather-based case is available in three coloration choices and is among the greatest leather-based circumstances on the market. Burton Items additionally sells a few magnetic MagSafe Pockets Stands that adhere properly to the again of the case. You will get a $40 low cost on a Heritage case/pockets bundle and the corporate additionally offers 15% off to first-time consumers. Observe that Burton Items solely makes circumstances for the iPhone 16 Professional and Professional Max.
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Now owned by Onward Manufacturers, Incase has been making iPhone circumstances for a few years (Griffin and Incipio are additionally a part of Onward Manufacturers). I do not love all of its new circumstances for the iPhone 16, however a number of stand out, together with the Stage (pictured left), Halo (pictured heart), Aspect (pictured proper), all of which characteristic 10-foot drop safety and are available a number of design choices.
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You’ll have seen advertisements for Mous circumstances on YouTube or social media by which the corporate drops a cellphone from a helicopter and exhibits how the cellphone survives the autumn. Whereas Mous circumstances aren’t rated for 1,000-feet drop safety, they do supply wonderful safety and are fairly slim. I’ve all the time preferred the Mous’ Restricted Sequence circumstances that characteristic backs with bamboo, carbon fiber and numerous different supplies, they usually’re actually extra unique-looking. However these MagSafe-enabled circumstances are fairly expensive, although they do have a lifetime guarantee, as all Mous circumstances do.
Mous additionally makes extra normal Magsafe-enabled clear circumstances that value much less, and I included its IntraLock case in our greatest bike cellphone mount record. That case snaps into a motorcycle mount, and Mous makes quite a lot of different MagSafe equipment together with a pockets, cellphone gripe with kickstand and magnetic automobile mounts.
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Smartish’s inexpensive, easy, slim circumstances and pockets circumstances return for the iPhone 16. The Pockets Slayer Vol. 2 case (pictured) is available in a number of totally different designs past the essential black proven right here (Smartish might do a greater job providing higher coloration choices). It holds three bank cards plus money, and you need to use one among your bank cards as a kickstand. Its one draw back is that it isn’t appropriate with wi-fi and MagSafe chargers.
Smartish additionally sells a MagSafe case referred to as the Gripmunk. It is one of many extra inexpensive MagSafe circumstances (round $20) and is straightforward to grip, as its title implies.
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Some individuals choose to not have a case on their cellphone or simply need one thing that is very skinny and gives minimal safety. For those who’re that sort of particular person, a Totallee case could be what you are in search of.
There are a few fashions to select from, with the Minimal case billed because the world’s thinnest iPhone case; it is virtually paper-thin. It is available in a number of coloration choices.
The case prices $35, which looks as if loads contemplating how skinny it’s, however it’s eco-friendly (it is compostable) and does have a raised “lip” across the digital camera that forestalls harm to the digital camera lens, Totallee says.
Totallee additionally makes a really slim clear TPU case, the “clear tender” that gives just a little extra safety for the $35 (there’s additionally a brand new mannequin with MagSafe for $39). I like that one higher in some methods — it does have just a little extra grip to its end — however it’s barely thicker.
MagSafe help — or not?
You would possibly be capable to save just a little cash by getting a case that does not have MagSafe help (the steel ring constructed into the case). I usually encourage individuals to spend the additional cash for a MagSafe-enabled case due to the variety of MagSafe equipment in the marketplace, a few of them fairly helpful.
Skinny or thicker?
Some individuals like minimal circumstances that add little to no bulk to their iPhones, however the majority of persons are in search of a case that gives good safety — and even most safety. I inform individuals to discover a case that is not too thick and perhaps even fairly slim and that gives at the very least 6-foot drop safety (and good nook safety).
Would you like a transparent case?
Clear circumstances are standard as a result of they exhibit your cellphone (and its coloration). Clear circumstances, particularly cheaper ones, can develop into much less clear over time and slowly begin to yellow. Many case makers now add UV safety to their clear circumstances to stop yellowing.
Present extra
A number of of the circumstances on this record have been beforehand out there for the iPhone 15 fashions and we added them to the record based mostly on our earlier testing with the iPhone 15. Sometimes, we attempt to use the case on the cellphone for at the very least a day and ensure the buttons on the cellphone work correctly with the case on. With some cellphone circumstances, we use them for a number of days and even weeks to see how they put on over time.
- Design: We consider the extra superficial and beauty features of circumstances and contemplate how aesthetically pleasing they’re as a result of individuals generally purchase circumstances solely for his or her colours and paintings.
- Sturdiness: We take a look at how sturdy a case is, paying specific consideration to nook and digital camera safety (raised corners on a case may help your cellphone survive face-down falls).
- Grip issue: We assessment the fabric the case is made from so we will discuss such components as how grippy the cellphone feels in your hand and the way protecting the fabric is.
- Further options: Some iPhone circumstances have further options resembling MagSafe, an built-in kickstand or grips, and, within the case of folio fashions, slots for storing bank cards and money.
- Lengthy-term testing: Though we do not do long-term testing for many circumstances, we do use a few of the hottest circumstances for longer intervals to gauge how they put on over time and see how properly our cellphone holds up throughout unintentional drops with the case on it. We do not do formal drop assessments.
- Waterproof circumstances: Just a few totally waterproof circumstances can be found, however If the case is meant to be totally waterproof, we check it by submerging it in water.
We take a look at design options just like the raised corners on this Otterbox case after we check one of the best iPhone circumstances.
Present extra
Wildflower Instances: In the course of the previous couple of years, Wildflower cellphone circumstances have risen in reputation. Collaborations with music festivals resembling Coachella and influencers like Emma Chamberlin have helped the female-founded enterprise acquire visibility. Like Casetify, the corporate gives circumstances with a plethora of distinctive, eye-catching designs. Nonetheless, none of its circumstances presently has a MagSafe possibility (it’s important to purchase a hoop to stay on the again on the case). That is not cool.
Present extra
Is USB-C charging a difficulty with some circumstances?
How protecting of an iPhone 16 case do you have to purchase?
Ought to I get a MagSafe case for my iPhone 16?
Are MagSafe circumstances costlier?
Watch this: Evaluation: Apple’s iPhone 16 Professional Is an Spectacular Improve