The best iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases of 2024: Expert tested

Nomad’s web site says, “we imagine that the smartphone is the Twenty first-century equal of the sword: a device that everybody can wield and alter the world with.” This makes Nomad circumstances a type of sheath — or no less than one with 8 toes of drop safety and a MagSafe again. The Nomad Sport Case is our decide for the perfect iPhone 16 case general to assist sheath your new telephone.

ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner is a giant fan of the Nomad model. He ranks the Nomad Sport Case as the perfect telephone case for the iPhone 15 Professional, praising it for its modern design and light-weight really feel. “I really like how mild these circumstances are. Mixed with the noticeably lighter iPhone 15 Professional Max, it feels refreshingly mild to carry,” Hiner says. Because of the similarities of the fifteenth and sixteenth technology of iPhones, the Nomad Sport Case will serve the iPhone 16 simply as effectively.

This mild case additionally presents sufficient drop safety and raised edges to maintain the delicate components of your telephone secure with no rugged or cumbersome really feel. It offers safety with magnificence, making it an ideal resting place for the sword — or new iPhone 16 — that’s now in your fingers. The Nomad Sport case is the proper combine between light-weight and protecting. Nomad additionally makes use of ethically-sourced materials.

Nomad Sport Case options: Is available in 4 colours | 8 toes of drop safety | MagSafe passthrough

Torras circumstances have all the time been a ZDNET favourite: Hiner known as the Ostand case for the iPhone 15 “probably the most versatile and progressive of the bunch.” The most recent model match for the iPhone 16 follows in its footsteps. 

ZDNET critiques Editor Kerry Wan went hands-on with the Torras case for the iPhone 16 and located it to be tremendous handy for a couple of causes, “for one thing extra multifunctional, Torras’ 360-degree OStand case has a MagSafe ring on the again that retains suitable equipment hooked up to the iPhone at nearly each angle. You can too pull out and rotate the ring for an optimum, on-the-go viewing expertise.”

Reddit customers agree, with one saying, “The general manufacturing and materials high quality of the circumstances is great. I’ve purchased a number of Torras circumstances and display protectors with my very own cash up to now, they usually all the time ship very good high quality.”

Torras Ostand MagSafe Case options: 12 toes army drop safety | MagSafe again | 16ft Navy drop safety

Cumbersome telephone circumstances are annoying, particularly for those who choose the Plus model of iPhones. Many protecting circumstances have this drawback, making them exhausting to understand and stick in your pocket. A Pitaka Extremely telephone case will repair this drawback.

The Pitaka model boasts skinny guarantees for his or her circumstances, they usually observe by means of. ZDNET’s Kerry Wan finds it distinctive however weighs its professionals and cons, “Pitaka is likely one of the originators of the ultra-thin Aramid Fiber case that you simply see so many manufacturers remix immediately. With such circumstances, you are buying and selling drop safety in favor of slimness and minimalism, two facets that ought to assist scale back any discomfort when dealing with the bigger iPhone 16 fashions.”

Aramid fibers, which is nearly the identical as Kevlar, the material utilized in bulletproof vests and plane panels. Subsequently, the case is sturdy, scratch-resistant, and protects from on a regular basis put on and tear. In case you are trying to discover one thing protecting, distinctive, and skinny to your telephone, give Pitaka a go. However beware, drop safety just isn’t assured. 

Latercase for iPhone 16 options: MagSafe capabilities | Extremely-thin type issue | Digital camera safety | Aramid fiber materials

Generally, the worth of a brand new iPhone leaves you with little cash to purchase a case. Fortunately, there are nice choices which might be lower than $25 however serve simply in addition to the costlier circumstances. For this reason the Smartish Gripmunk case is our favourite low-cost iPhone 16 case.

It has all of the options of higher-end cases- grips on the edges, MagSafe capabilities, scratch resistance, and round 6 toes of drop safety. 

“One of many extra reasonably priced choices, with a grippy texture alongside the edges to stop your telephone from slipping out of your fingers. I might particularly suggest the Clearly Black variant to anybody who needs to point out off their iPhone 16 colour — and also you undoubtedly ought to — with out worrying concerning the case yellowing,” stated knowledgeable tester Kerry Wan.

Smartish Gripmunk case options: 6 ft drop safety | MagSafe | Aspect grips | Digital camera, display, and nook safety

Nothing is extra disappointing than dropping and shattering your brand-new gadget, particularly for those who selected to not go for Apple Care. When you deal with your gadget with little grace, a protecting telephone case could also be an incredible preventative possibility. Our decide, the Mous Limitless 6.0, protects and presents model in a single product, so you do not have to sacrifice both.

The case options bolstered corners with their AiroShock know-how for final drop safety, which they declare presents 45ft of drop safety. Kerry Wan, who examined out the case, says, “Mous’ Limitless 6.0 collection is likely one of the extra fashionable circumstances I’ve examined, with loads of cushioning for drop safety. There is a beneficiant cut-out for the iPhone 16’s Digital camera Management and the case is obtainable in varied backplates, together with Walnut, Bamboo, Leather-based, and Carbon Fibre. It is my worth-the-splurge decide.”

If you end up doing extra unintended harm to your telephone than regular, it might be value a glance into the Mous Limitless 6.0.

Mous Limitless 6.0 options: AiroShock 45 ft drop safety | MagSafe | 9 model choices | Raised edges

Incase makes nice laptop computer circumstances, and its designs for iPhone are not any completely different. To greatest summarize this case, Reddit customers describe the Incase Icon as “superior” and “horny.” 

The case retails for $60 and doesn’t function the usual plastic or silicone construct, however slightly a woven design. Many individuals follow the previous, “however for those who choose the FineWoven really feel of final 12 months’s iPhone circumstances, take a look at the Incase Icon, which is available in a elaborate Woolenex end. The fabric is lined to be weather-repellant and tear-resistant, however the extra spectacular half is that it would not add a lot bulk or weight to the iPhone,” says critiques editor Kerry Wan, who examined the case.

The Incase Icon has raised edges for display safety, press-fit buttons, MagSafe capabilities, and 10 toes of drop safety. The case has two materials choices, plant-based corn leather-based (which is available in Pebbled Obsidian, Pebbled Cocoa, and Pebbled Oat Milk) and Woolenex woven mix (which is available in Graphite, Navy, Blush Pink, Cosmic Pink, and Asphalt). The multitude of colour choices means the Incase Icon can match any vibe. 

Incase is a good place to look if you would like a easy however fashionable case.

Incase Icon options: 10 ft of drop safety | MagSafe | Raised edges for display safety | Shade choices

Leather-based is all the time a trendy choice to preserve round your telephone, however sustainably sourcing it might probably all the time be questionable. Moft’s Snap Case Movas is our resolution to that drawback.

The vegan leather-based end doesn’t have the grain that conventional leather-based sports activities, however slightly a smoother texture and 5 colour options– Misty Cove, Jet Black, Taupe, Earthen Beige, and Cement. 

ZDNET’s critiques editor Kerry Wan says, “whereas Apple did not substitute its FineWoven circumstances with a vegan leather-based possibility this 12 months, Moft’s Snap Case is a worthy different. The corporate’s Snap Cellphone Tripod Stand is a crowd-favorite amongst ZDNET editors, and its Snap Case is simply as considerable. The soft-touch end contrasts effectively with the hard-brushed buttons, and there is simply sufficient spacing left for the Digital camera Management and charging port.” 

Though it isn’t a protecting case, it’s a fashionable different for those who choose leather-based or woven circumstances. 

Moft Snap Case Movas options: Vegan leather-based | MagSafe | 5 colour choices

Leather-based is all the time a trendy and modern selection for a telephone case. Nevertheless, it isn’t all the time the perfect at lasting or, typically, gripping your telephone. That’s the reason the Nomad Trendy Leather-based case is a standout on this class. Though leather-based just isn’t probably the most sustainable materials, Nomad asserts it sources it in sustainable methods.

ZDNET’s Hiner locations the Nomad Leather-based case on his record of the perfect circumstances for iPhone 15 Professional. He writes, “With Apple’s leather-based circumstances, it could take weeks or months to soak up hand oils and develop into softer and simpler to grip… With Nomad’s leather-based, you do not have to do this. It is mushy and feels nice in your fingers as quickly as you’re taking it out of the field. If leather-based remains to be your factor, it is a greater leather-based case than those Apple used to promote.”

That being stated, leather-based just isn’t all people’s factor. However, in case you are available in the market for a leather-based case with a MagSafe again, presumably sustainably sourced materials, a digicam safety, the Nomad Trendy Leather-based case could also be your winner.

Nomad Trendy Leather-based case options: 8 toes drop safety | Sustainably sourced leather-based | MagSafe and magnetic again