Several iPhone 12 Magsafe cases

The Best Phone Cases for iPhones

Phone cases are a staple of the iPhone market and a necessary accessory for many. These days, people buy phone cases for many different reasons. They want one that’s fashionable, or functionally a wallet, or even capable of fast wireless charging.

Of course, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options available to you. If you’re on the hunt for a new case yet unsure where to start, check out these iPhone cases below, listed in no particular order.

The best iPhone cases in Australia

The selections below will delve into some of the best cases available in Australia for the iPhone 13 series of phones, the iPhone 12 series, the iPhone 11 series and the iPhone SE second generation. Keep in mind that the case you’re looking at might not fit your phone, so be certain that you’ve found the right case for your phone size.

Will my old iPhone case fit on my new iPhone?

iPhones physically change with each series, so a case that fits an iPhone 12 won’t fit an iPhone 13 or an iPhone SE. If you’re interested in picking up a new phone case, check out the Good Guys website below, where you can compare models and prices.

Apple MagSafe cases

Three Apple iPhone 12 MagSafe cases, available for iPhone 12 phones
With the launch of the iPhone 12 series, Apple announced a range of phone cases to complement its four new smartphones. MagSafe cases were released alongside these phones, crafted with a minimalist approach, and being an official Apple series of cases. MagSafe cases are also available for the iPhone 13 range of devices.

Available in a wide variety of colours, along with your choice of leather, silicon or clear plastic, MagSafe cases may not be cheap, but they have undeniable style, along with the ability to attach a small wallet to the back.

One thing MagSafe cases have over the competition is the ability to fast wirelessly charge. When you have a MagSafe case on your iPhone, you’ll be able to wirelessly charge on a wireless charging mat. If you’re interested in a quick wireless charge, MagSafe is one of your best choices. Keep in mind that other case manufacturers like Otterbox and Cygnet offer MagSafe cases in different colours and styles, so keep an eye out for your favourite design. Apple MagSafe cases start at $79, with wireless chargers and wallet add-ons sold separately.

Available for: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max

Cygnett Magnetic Glass cases

Two Cygnett Magnetic Glass cases beside each other

Cygnett is widely known for making all kinds of phone accessories, including power banks, chargers and cables, but cases are a big area where Cygnett specialises. One of the lines of cases Cygnett makes is the Magnetic Glass Case series, available for iPhone 13, iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 model phones, as an extra protective case for your smartphone.

Available in Black, the Cygnett Magnetic Glass Case involves two parts – a double-tempered glass front, and a back panel that your phone sits in. The glass panel goes on the top of your phone screen, and magnetises against the back panel, sitting securely, and adding an extra layer of protection in case you’re rough with your phone. Magnetic Glass Cases cost around $50 depending on where you purchase from.

Available for: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max

CaseApp custom cases

A screenshot of the CaseApp case designing application

For some people, personalisation means a whole lot more than simply having an iPhone case in your favourite colour and material. That’s why a lot of websites exist that give you the ability to make your own iPhone case and choose its design, allowing personalisation including photos, colours, text and icons. CaseApp offers exactly this for a decent price.

Available for most iPhones all the way back to the 4S, CaseApp is an online tool and retailer that lets you build your case the exact way that you want. It’s a simple process – you just choose the iPhone model you want a case for, choose its material (either Glossy or Matte) and start dragging and dropping your own choices of images, text and artwork. There’s even a handy “collage” tool on the website, if you want your case to be a collection of photos, perhaps with friends or family. Cases start at $34 plus shipping fees.

Available for: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone SE Second Generation

Otterbox Defender series cases

Two Otterbox Defender cases

Otterbox is known as a higher-end case manufacturer, with a wide variety of cases to choose from and a name that can be trusted for quality. In particular from Otterbox’s catalogue of cases is the Defender series, impact-resistant cases that Otterbox claims are four times as strong as the military standard. These cases are ready for most conditions you throw them at and include port protection, a side-hugging design, a heavy-duty backplate and a kickstand on the back, perfect for clipping to a belt or letting your phone stand freely.

Otterbox’s Defender cases are $99.95 each and come available in a wide variety of colours, including Black, Blue and Red (colour options differ between models). There are several variations of the Defender series, including cases that don’t come with covering screens and variations with MagSafe (only available on iPhone 12 series phones).

Available for: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone SE Second Generation 

Postpaid and prepaid plans for iPhones

If you’re looking to upgrade your iPhone case, take the time to check out some postpaid and prepaid plans too. There’s plenty to choose from on the market, and plans are always changing, so it’s good to check out other plans from time to time, just to make sure you’re getting the best value for money. You’ll find plans in the table below.

Here is a selection of postpaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database with a minimum of 10GB of data, listed in order of standard cost, lowest to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use Canstar Blue’s phone plan comparison tool to see a wide range of plans on offer from mobile providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.

Here is a selection of prepaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database with a minimum of 10GB of data, listed in order of standard cost, lowest to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see a wide range of plans from other providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.

Spigen Slim Armour CS cases

Two Spigen Slim Armor Cases on iPhones

Spigen’s a well-established phone case manufacturer and has built many cases out there, from clear plastic cases to heavy-duty armoured cases, but some of Spigen’s most interesting designs are in the Slim Armour CS series of cases. These cases bundle your wallet and your phone case into one protective product, robust enough to survive drops while also looking stylish.

Spigen’s Slim Armour CS cases involve a sliding back panel, which opens up a small compartment where you can put one or two cards. It’s a good idea to have a wallet case if you’re leaving your wallet at home all the time, and need to keep a debit card, licence or business card on you. Slim Armour CS cases cost $49.99 in Australia and come in Black, Grey and Pink ($44.99 for the SE case). The Spigen Case Slim Wallet case is also available, if you don’t want a removable back panel, and would like to just slip your cards into a pocket in the back.

Available for: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone SE Second Generation, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max

What makes a good iPhone case?

There are a few things that make a phone case good or better than others (such as cost, impact protection, feeling in the hand, the ability to carry cards and the ability to fast wireless charge), but ultimately it boils down to what you want to get out of a case. We’ll break down the important points you should be looking for below.

  • Cost: Nobody wants to spend too much on a phone case, so make sure you’re keeping an eye on your wallet when shopping around. Some cases cost a lot more than others and have much less functionality, so try to keep value in mind. Also, consider how often you’ll be replacing your phone, as you’ll more than likely be updating your phone case at the same time.
  • Impact protection: Some cases offer high levels of impact protection and resistance, just in case you’re the type to constantly drop your device, and want to avoid scratches on the back or cracks on the screen. Levels of protection vary from case to case, so make sure you find one that’s right for you.
  • Hand feeling: Nobody wants their phone to feel like an uncomfortable brick every time it’s pulled from a pocket, so make sure your phone case isn’t too uncomfortable in the hand. If you can, go into a store and physically feel the case before purchasing.
  • Wallet capabilities: Some cases are able to carry cards, which is an attractive prospect if you often leave the house without your wallet. Keep this in mind if you want to keep things simple and treat your phone as an all-in-one device.
  • Fast wireless charging: The iPhone 12 series of phones are the first iPhones capable of fast wireless charging, but this can only be done if you have a MagSafe or MagSafe-compatible case. If you’re interested in wireless charging, it pays to have a MagSafe case, as you’ll get a charge much quicker.

Do I need an iPhone case?

Having a case for your iPhone isn’t necessary, but it pays to have one. A case that feels good in your hand and has a decent amount of protection pays off, with the risk of damaging your phone much lower due to an extra layer of defence around the outside. Just make sure you find a case that’s right for you, as you don’t want one that’s too brittle, or too bulky, for your needs.

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Image credit: Apple

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