Best Phone Cases for iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Max
</p><p>I’ve already noticed hundreds, if not thousands, of iPhone 16 cases to chose from and it’s overwhelming to say the least. You don’t have to do the hard work, though, because that’s what these articles are for. I did the sorting and testing for you—literally by hand. My fingertips are sore from peeling all these cases on and off all these damn iPhones. I even took it one step further and risked dropping my phone from certain heights—it’s still one piece, by the way.</p><p>Ahead you’ll find the ten <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g22877559/best-iphone-cases/” target=”_blank”>best iPhone cases</a> across every category you can think of. <a href=”https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g28087209/iphone-wallet-cases/” target=”_blank”>Wallet cases</a>, folios, silicone or leather—whatever your preferred form factor or material is, it’s all here.</p>”/>
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Best Clear iPhone 16 Case
Tech 21 EvoClear
Pros
Flexible yet protective
Lets you admire the phone you spent all that money on
Cons
Ugly MagSafe circle and line if you want wireless charging
iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max
Clear cases are not entirely my jam, but if I had to recommend one, it would be the EvoClear. This flexible plastic case is made from 90 percent biodegradable materials so you can feel morally responsible while also not shattering your brand-new phone screen.
Material
Biodegradable recycled materials
MagSafe
Yes
Buttons
Covered
Colors
Clear
Thinnest MagSafe iPhone 16 Case
Peel Magnetic Case
Pros
Slim, light profile
Clean look
Cons
Very thin, meaning not the most durable
iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max
If you want a case you can quickly peel on and off, look no further. Peel is an expert at making cases impossibly thin. This one is MagSafe compatible and still remarkably slim.
This recommendation is a favorite of Esquire commerce editor Luke Guillory, who had to say:
I’m a dark-green Peel case die-hard. I love that Peel skips all the branding bullshit. I don’t need another ugly logo in my life. I need a good-looking case that protects my busted iPhone 12 Mini from becoming unusable because it’s been discontinued and Apple won’t replace it.
The only negative thing I’ll say about Peel is that the thinness compromises some durability. I’m fine with the trade-off, because it survives most drops, but one time I dropped a phone onto concrete and my case busted. (Phone didn’t suffer a scratch.) If you’re extremely cautious, buy two or three and that’ll last you the lifetime of your phone.
Material
Polypropylene
MagSafe
Yes
Buttons
Cutout
Colors
Black, Clear, Natural, Navy
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Best iPhone 16 Wallet Case
Bellroy 3-Card Phone Case
Pros
Card holder that doubles as a kickstand
Quality leather
3-year warranty
Cons
Too bulky for MagSafe charging
iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max
The best part about this case from Bellroy is the dual-purpose card flap. It can hold a few cards, but when you pop that tab out it becomes a footrest for your phone in horizontal mode. The cards don’t even fall out when you do this.
It’s also leather, so who doesn’t love that?
Material
Leather
MagSafe
No
Buttons
Aluminum
Colors
Sienna, Black, Agave, Ganache
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Best Protection for iPhone 16
Otterbox iPhone 16 Commuter Series
Pros
Secure two-layer protection
Slim … for an Otterbox
Cons
Not easy to remove
iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max
If you are clumsy or have a history of broken phones, you know that you need an Otterbox. This dual-layer design allows you to really snap your phone in there once and then never worry about it again. For our money, the Commuter Series is Otterbox’s most attractive design.
Black, Baby Blue Jeans, Denver Dusk Purple, Foxberry Pink, Sagebrush Green
Strongest Custom iPhone 16 Case
Casetify Ultra Bounce Case
Pros
Mighty protection
Handpick your case’s color and design
Cons
Bulky bumpers
Casetify will let you put almost anything on a phone case. Seriously, click the link and try it, no commitment necessary. This is Casetify’s strongest case yet, and you can get it for whichever iPhone 16 you picked up.
Material
Polycarbonate, Thermoplastic Polyurethane
MagSafe
Yes
Buttons
Covered
Frame Colors
Black, Indigo
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Best Leather iPhone 16 Pro Case
Nomad Traditional Leather Case
Pros
Classy
Aluminum button covers
Cons
Limited to Pro phones
iPhone 16 Pro Max
What we love most about this Nomad leather case is the choice to make one big curved cutout for the new Camera Control button. This feels like the optimal solution for how to handle access to this tactile and sensitive button. It’s also a great-looking leather case that is just pleasant to look at.
The only downside is that this design is limited to Pro phones. You can get the brand’s modern leather case for regular iPhone 16 and 16 Plus phones, but without that little divot it’s just not the same.
Material
Leather
MagSafe
Yes
Buttons
Aluminum
Color
Brown, Black
Best-Looking iPhone 16 Case
Mous Limitless 6.0 Walnut Phone Case
Pros
Camera Control cutout
Gorgeous fake-wood finish
Cons
Costs a lot for what is, at the end of the day, a plastic case
iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max
This is another one we love for the full Camera Control cutout. It’s simply the only way forward. We also love the look of this one. Mous makes some of the best looking polycarbonate cases out there, and this walnut finish on the Limitless 6.0 has got to be the classiest combo yet. Not opposed to the bamboo either.
Material
Polycarbonate, Thermoplastic Polyurethane
MagSafe
Yes
Buttons
Covered
Color
Walnut
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Best Silicone iPhone 16 Case
Apple iPhone 16 Silicone Case
Pros
Sapphire-crystal Camera Control cover
A variety of bright colors to choose from
Cons
Nothing special
iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max
This is the super-basic pick, but that doesn’t make it a bad one. Hell, if you want a silicone phone case, it’s the one to get. Since shutting up about the Camera Control button is not gonna happen, here’s one more thing. This case has a unique covering, built from sapphire crystal, that protects the button while allowing you to get the most out of it. That tactile precision is needed when acting as a shutter for your phone’s camera.
Material
Silicone
MagSafe
Yes
Buttons
Covered
Colors
Black, Denim, Fuchsia, Lake Green, Plum, Star Fruit, Stone Gray, Ultramarine
Best Detachable Folio Case
Blackbrook Tudor Trifold Leather Wallet Case
Pros
Folio by day, slim leather case by night
Each color has its own personality
Cons
Pricey
Material
Leather
MagSafe
Yes
Buttons
Covered
Colors
Burnished Tan, Distressed Coffee, Golden Brown, Pebble Black
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How to Choose a Case for Your iPhone 16
Choosing the Right Case: For the love of God, triple-check to make sure you are buying the right case for the phone you have. It’s an easier mistake to make than you might think. This is the most important takeaway.
Protection: You need a case that can survive a nasty fall. Raised edges around your screen and camera prevent impact damage. Button covers protect your phone’s crucial functions from the elements.
Style: Leather or silicone? Dark and unassuming or bright and bold? These are the choices you need to make when deciding which phone case is going to be your daily go-to.
Wireless Charging: Most phone cases these days allow you to use MagSafe and wireless charging without needing to remove the case. However, some do not, so be on the lookout. If you just use a charging cable anyway, this feature won’t matter to you.
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