As the new iPhone 16 series continues Apple’s excellent upgrade cycle with hardware improvements and new software features, new owners still need one essential accessory to protect the new phone from everyday bumps and drops, scratches and spills: a protective case is an essential piece of kit for your new phone.
The best iPhone cases offer more than just premium protection, and we’ve found a range of iPhone 16 cases that add unmatched functionality in a form factor you won’t notice until you actually need it.
You shouldn’t notice the protection on the best phone cases, and it shouldn’t interfere with the phone’s innate capabilities when it comes to fast charging and ease of use.
While many cases detract from the look of your iPhone and interfere with Apple’s 15W MagSafe fast wireless charging, ESR’s Stash Stand family of cases offers military-grade protection, seamless charging, and convenient features that enhance the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max experience.
Cases combine the protection of a case with the comfortable functionality of a phone holder.
ESR Stash Stands feature sturdy cutouts and button covers that don’t detract from the experience Apple engineers have perfected. But where they really stand out from the crowd is in their built-in stand and perfect alignment with Apple’s MagSafe connectivity.
ESR is a popular and trusted brand for Apple MagSafe accessories, and its new iPhone 16 lineup looks set to continue its market dominance thanks to the products’ build quality, rugged levels of protection, and additional built-in features as well as industry-leading charging speeds in the cases.
ESR testing shows that wirelessly charging an iPhone 15 Pro Max in one of its Stash Stand cases can be completed at least 30 minutes faster than comparable cases from other brands.
The cases offer magnetic locking up to 1,500g that is compatible with all MagSafe chargers and other accessories—more than twice the strength offered by Apple’s more expensive cases.
The bumper of each case hides an ingenious retractable stand that no Apple iPhone case can match. A stand lets you position your phone any way you want—vertically or horizontally—and at different angles (between 15° and 85°), allowing you to comfortably multitask, browse, stream, and make hands-free video calls.
For those who want to preserve the original look of the iPhone while adding solid protection, the ESR Classic Hybrid Case with Storage Holder (pictured above) highlights the color of the iPhone and maintains the slim profile of the iPhone: the clear, scratch-resistant acrylic back of the case is only 1.6mm thick, ensuring the fastest MagSafe charging speed compared to other thicker cases that can slow down wireless charging.
This combination of sleek design and durable back provides rugged protection you can trust without sacrificing the fast charging speeds of MagSafe.
ESR
Incredibly, this ultra-thin case offers superb military-grade protection with shock-absorbing Air Guard corners and high-quality anti-yellowing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) edges, a 1.2mm raised screen edge and a 0.7mm raised camera protection. Protected in the classic hybrid case, the iPhone can survive drops from up to 11 feet.
While offering at least the same protection as the classic hybrid case, the Cloud Soft Case with Storage Holder (see above) features a soft liquid silicone shell that’s even more comfortable to hold.
This iPhone 16 case, available in a wide range of colors, has a five-layer structure with an inner microfiber well that protects your iPhone from scratches when you place your phone inside the case.
It’s also easy to clean thanks to a pre-applied anti-static spray that prevents dust build-up.
For ultimate protection, the ESR Cyber Tough Case with Storage Stand (pictured above) has been designed with an ultra-rugged three-layer construction that provides reassuring 7x military-grade protection to withstand drops from up to 7 meters – yet this tough TPE shell remains soft and flexible. The PORON inner lining provides excellent shock absorption and cushioning.
Although the raised edge of the screen protects the screen from accidental bumps and scratches, we also recommend further protecting the iPhone screen with a screen protector.
Traditionally, these protectors have been difficult to install, but ESR offers an easy installation process using its UltraFit tray, pictured above, where you place the iPhone face down and then simply pull a tab to apply the protector to the screen. Armorite Screen Protector is made from triple-strength 9H glass that can withstand an incredible 110 lbs of edge pressure.
In addition to cases and screen protectors for the new iPhone 16 series, ESR offers a range of other protection solutions for Apple’s new AirPods 4. Cyber FlickLock Case (HaloLock) combines powerful magnets and an internal latch to securely close the lid, allowing for effortless one-handed operation with offset magnetic alignment, while the Orbit Hybrid Case (HaloLock) offers powerful drop protection with its 1100g magnetic locking cover to keep AirPods safe and protected.