Best iPhone cases in Australia: protective and stylish

Our phones come with us everywhere, from the office to the gym, in rain, hail and shine. And when you’ve forked out hundreds (even thousands) of dollars on a new device like the latest iPhone 16 (or a refurbished iPhone), chances are you’d like it to stay intact and lookin’ good for at least one or two years. That’s why getting a good quality case is so important.

To help you in your search, we’ve scoured the web to find the best iPhone cases across six categories: best overall, best MagSafe, best protective, best eco-friendly and best cheap case. Onward!

Otterbox isn't a household name in the smartphone case world by accident. The manufacturer has earned their reputation with countless cases that don't usually compromise on quality, come in countless colours and styles and support most major smartphone brands and devices.

The Otterbox Symmetry Series Plus iPhone case lives up to that legend and ticks all the boxes you'd expect from a quality iPhone case. It's Magsafe compatible, provides plenty of additional protection for your device and doesn't add too much bulk to the slim form factor of Apple's latest flagship device.

Otterbox isn't really competing on price here, but there's something to be said for a case manufacturer that's confident enough that it doesn't need to cut the corners that come with a cheaper price.

Some consumers have a pretty clear idea of what they want, need or like in an iPhone case. However, not everyone is that demanding. If the only thing that matters to you about your next iPhone case is making sure it can get the job done and doesn't cost you too much, then there's a lot to like about this case from Elago.

It's available for devices as far back as the iPhone 11, it comes with an anti-slip finish and raised edges that promise to provide that little bit of extra protection in the event that you need it. It's not the kind of iPhone case that's exceptional at any one thing, but if you're after a cheap one that's pretty good at most things you can do a lot worse than this one.

When it comes to MagSafe-compliant cases, personal taste is usually the biggest factor. In terms of functionality, there's not a huge difference between Apple's first party cases and those offered by third party manufactuers. Fortunately, MOFT is one of those rare case brands that's clever enough to distinguish itself in other ways.

The MOFT MagSafe Sanp case comes with its own set of built-in magnets, these allow for a tighter grip between your device and MOFT's roster of detachable accessories as well as official MagSafe ones. What you're getting here isn't that different from what most MagSafe cases offer, but when everything else is so similar and superficial then a little bit of ingenuity can count for a lot.

If you want an iPhone case that lets you do a little bit more with MagSafe, this is one worth considering.

Looking to buy an iPhone case with a built-in card holder? Chances are you're spoiled for choice. The bad news is that a lot of what's out there tends to be light on quality and heavy on homogeneity.

This Bellroy Phone case is one of the rare exceptions to the rule. It doesn't support MagSafe, but it's sleek and minimalist almost to a fault. Wrapped in premium eco-tanned leather and lined by supple and soft microfiber, it's the kind of case that feels as expensive as it looks.

It's not without its limits, but the Bellroy Phone Case with Card Holder is worthy enough to justify retiring your wallet.

If you're looking for an iPhone case that can take a hit or two, the Casetify Bounce Extreme Case is a good option that doesn't completely occlude the awesome aesthetics of Apple's latest flagship. It's available in a wide variety of colourful designs and is built to provide additional protection for the corners of your device when and where you need it most.

The Casetify Bounce Extreme is only available for more recent iPhone models, but it is MagSafe-compliant and partially made from recycled materials. Those after a more rugged case won't have to look hard to find one, but if you're after something that strikes the right balance then there's a good chance that this might be it.

More and more iPhone case brands have embraced sustainability in recent years by moving towards recycled, plant-based and other eco-friendly materials. The Native Union (Re) Classic is a stunning rendition of this idea. It's sleek, sturdy, professional-looking and MagSafe-compliant. It's also made from Yatay, a premium plant-based material that combines wheat, cereal and corn.

If you're looking for an eco-friendly iPhone case that can start a conversation in more ways than one, the Native Union (Re) Classic is sure to get the job done.

When you're looking to choose a new iPhone case, there are a couple of things you'll want to consider and a few red flags you might want to watch out for.

To start with, the biggest question you need to have an answer to in order to choose a case that meets your needs is to work out what they are. It sounds obvious, but there's no single iPhone case that's going to suit everyone.

Some consumers want as much extra durability as possible. Others want protection, but only up to a certain point. You might have a preference towards features like MagSafe compliance. I might be willing to live without it in exchange for somewhere to safely store my credit cards.

Once you've worked out what kind of case you want, it's worth taking a look at the biggest brands out there and seeing if they have anything that fits the bill. Some of the brands you might want to consider include the following:

• Casetify
• Otterbox
• Tech21
• Pelican

Read articles like this one until you've got a short list of potential iPhone cases. Then, it's time to start culling it down. Drill down into the details and work out which cases do and don't make the cut.

One key detail you might want to consider here is the degree of drop resistance or durability. For instance, many smartphone case brands tout something called MIL-STD 810G. However, unless you’ve taken a closer look into the standard, it’s not super clear what degree of durability MIL-STD 810G embodies, nor whether it can be trusted.

Doing a little bit of research here into any durability claims that get mentioned is a good way to work out what brands are talking big and which ones have done the work needed to back it up.

Another thing you might want to consider when choosing a new iPhone case is whether the brand includes any sort of extended warranty. This isn't going to be a deal-breaker for everyone but it's always nice to have the confidence that you'll be able to get a replacement or refund if your new iPhone case wears itself out sooner than you expect.