A $1,299 phone needs armour

The iPhone 18 Pro Max costs $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$2,299. First job after unboxing is getting it into a case before gravity finds it.

Skip Apple's own cases

Apple sells its own range, but they're expensive and dull. Third-party makers get far more adventurous with design for less money.

“they are on the pricey side and, dare I say it, a little boring”

Tested on the real phone

Adam Waring ordered these cases ahead of launch so he could fit them the moment the phone arrived. Every pick here is hands-on.

Your iPhone 17 case fits

The 18 and 17 Pro Max are the same size, so every case here works on both. Cases are often labelled for both generations.

But the bump got deeper

The 18's camera bump sticks out a little further than the 17's. An old 17 case will physically fit but won't guard the lenses as well.

Peak Design for photographers

The Everyday Case comes in nylon canvas, full-grain leather, or vegan leatherette, with machined aluminum buttons and a Camera Control passthrough.

Pay up for the loop

You can add a pull-out finger loop, a Slimlink recess that locks to car and bike mounts, or both. They add almost no depth and are worth the extra.

Burga for the show-offs

Over 500 designs, from cute cats to mirror finishes, with anti-fade printing. Matching AirPods covers, power banks and ring holders complete the set.

Two layers under the pattern

Burga's CloudGuard system wraps a shock-absorbing silicone lining in hard polycarbonate, with 2mm raised bezels around the screen and lenses.

Pitaka Edge is barely there

Just 1.2mm thick and 25 grams. Aramid fiber, which Pitaka says is five times stronger than steel, keeps it tough without the bulk.

“It really, truly adds no noticeable size to the phone”

The slimness has a cost

The buttons get cutouts rather than covers. If that bothers you, the Pitaka Cairn is the same case with corner bumpers and button protection.

Gripmunk on a budget

Smartish's cheapest MagSafe case still has contoured finger indents and a claimed 50 drops from six feet. Cheaper cases exist, better ones at this price don't.

“drop-tested 50 times from a six-foot height”

Gripzilla for butterfingers

Deeper finger grooves, textured sides, raised corner bumpers and air pockets. A conductive strip covers Camera Control so it still works.

Grip costs you bulk

All that armour makes the Gripzilla noticeably chunkier than the Gripmunk. Worth it only if you actually drop your phone.

Wallet Slayer holds four cards

A spring-loaded rear slot grips up to four cards, with a thumb recess to slide them out. Far less bulky than a folding wallet case.

Cards or MagSafe, pick one

Stashing cards behind the phone kills MagSafe. Smartish's Side Hustle Vault snaps on magnetically instead and adds RFID blocking.

Casebellé does leather right

Full-grain Italian nappa stays pristine, while Tuscan vegetable-tanned vachetta builds a patina as you use it. Add up to four embossed initials.

Mous Clarity stays clear

PCTG co-polyester with UV resistance fights yellowing, and an aluminum frame hides AiroShock padding in the corners. Mous throws cased phones off buildings for fun.

How the testing worked

Every case was checked for snug fit, grip, working buttons and unimpeded MagSafe charging. Looks were judged too, because a boring case defeats the point.

Choose in this order

Protection first, and avoid cheap unbranded cases. Then confirm MagSafe if you use magnetic chargers. Style comes last, but it still counts.