Apple may not be selling the iPhone XS range anymore, following the launch of the iPhone 11, however, the iPhone XS Max is still a great phone if you own one or have recently bought one.
It’s the bigger sibling to the iPhone XS, both of which joined Apple’s line-up in 2018, alongside the iPhone XR.
(Also see our round ups for the best iPhone XS and iPhone XR cases.)
There are scores of cases available for the iPhone XS Max, from simple cases to ones with a kickstands and even with card holders. We’ve rounded up the best protective cases out there.
Best iPhone XS Max cases
Mujjo Full Leather Wallet Case for iPhone XS Max
Dutch manufacturer Mujjo makes quality cases for smartphones, and has its range of now compatible with Apple’s iPhone Xs, Xs Max and Xr. Each is made from a satin-like premium full-grain leather and is lined with the fine Japanese microfiber.
They are extremely lightweight but will protect your iPhone from everyday knocks, drops and scratches. Even the buttons are fully covered in leather.
The top-of-the-range Mujjo Full Leather Wallet Case features a pouch on the back for your credit, business or travel and ID cards. It costs £49.41/$61.49/€54.90 for the XS Max.
Available from Amazon and the Mujjo website.
Tech21 Pure Clear case for iPhone XS Max
If you want decent drop protection, good feel and a back that shows off your phone, then you can’t go wrong with this case from tech21.
A Macworld favourite, tech21 makes excellently fitting cases that don’t make your iPhone a huge lump.
This Pure Clear case has been 10ft drop-tested and works with wireless chargers.
Pick it from Apple or Tech 21 for £29.95/US$39.95/AU$49.95.
Gear4 Oxford Case for iPhone XS Max
The Oxford Case offers protection from drops up to 10 feet, comes with two slots to hold credits cards and converts into a stand for landscape viewing. It’s also compatible with wireless charging.
The material is especially impressive. It’s made with Gear4’s patented D3O that’s used in helmet, gloves and gear used by soldiers, athletes and industrial workers. There’s also a clear panel at the back of the case that’s made with the same material used in bulletproof glass. The outer cover also offers a nice texture for additional grip.
Pick up the case from Amazon for £22.61/US$25.60. See Gear4’s full collection for iPhone XS Max (US site here)
Totallee Thin iPhone XS Max Case
The Thin case from Totallee offers simple everyday protection. It’s less than 0.02in thick and supports wireless charging – and without any distracting branding on the case, you can keep the focus on the iPhone itself.
You can choose between a glossy or matte finish. Matte options are available in shades of grey and a blue (pictured) and glossy options come in jet black, jet white and clear. All options cost US$35 (around £28.26) – unless you opt for leather, which costs $45 (around £36.33).
Due to Covid-19 Totallee isn’t shipping outside of the US and Canada, but you can find its cases on Amazon for £14.99.
Case-Mate Sheer Crystal Case for iPhone XS
The Dropper from Case-Mate shines…quite literally, with tiny pieces of glass crystal. But don’t let this glitzy exterior fool you. It’s reinforced with five layers and promises protection from drops of over 10 feet. It is also scratch-resistant and is compatible with wireless charging.
It’s available directly from Case-Mate for £37/$40 or from Amazon.
Case-mate has a number of stunning styles to choose from. You can see all the XS Max options here. You also get a lifetime warranty with Case-mate.
Caseable iPhone XS Max Pouch Case
Here’s a simple pouch case from Caseable. It’s a great option if you’re after something that’s more decorative. In fact, Caseable has a tonne of designs to choose from. You can also design your own here.
It’s not a flip case or wallet case, though it looks like one. Your phone simply slots in – so you won’t be able to use your iPhone XS when it’s in the case. To remove your phone, tug on the small pull tag.
Pick up the pictured design Bird of Paradise from Caseable for £22.90.
Nodus Shell Case II for iPhone XS Max
Nodus is another one of our favourite case-makers. They offer quality, hand-crafted, authentic leather cases that willy surely give your iPhone XS Max an extra bit of class.
In terms of build, it features a polycarbonate core that absorbs impact and a soft microfibre lining that keeps your iPhone XS from getting scratched. We also like that the Nodus Shell Case lets you mount your phone with the included Micro Dock III. It’s also compatible with wireless charging.
Available from Shell Case II and Micro Dock bundle directly from Nodus for £44.99/$56.
Spigen Tough Armor iPhone XS Max
Spigen is another case brand we’ve come to love and trust. The casemakers offer a series of cases in different styles and colours too.
The Tough Armor case pictured here is a durable rugged case poised to keep your iPhone XS safe from harm. It’s slim and offers double-layered protection made of polycarbonate and TPU (silicone). It is also compatible with wireless charging.
Pick it up from Spigen for £39.99/£18.99 or from Amazon where it’s cheaper.
Spigen iPhone XS Max Wallet S
Here’s another case from Spigen: the Wallet S. It allows you to store up to three cards and cash too and can also be folded into a stand for hands-free viewing.
The front cover closes with a magnetic. The Wallet case is made of synthetic leather and polycarbonate. We don’t expect it to offer rugged protection, but it should do just fine for day-to-day abrasions.
Available from Amazon for £13.99. In the US it’s available directly from Spigen for US$34.99,
Olixar Carbon Fibre for iPhone XS Max
The Carbon Fibre case from Olixar is a popular style we’ve seen for other phones. It’s made of a hardy TPU and is textured to prevent slips. It also comes with tactile buttons and cutouts for easy access to ports, cameras and the fingerprint sensor.
Pick it up from Amazon for £12.99/US$14.99.
Mous
We’ve recommend Mous cases for a number of our other round ups because it combines featherweight style and hardy protection with its trademarked AirShock technology. You get just the same with its iPhone XS Max collection.
Mous cases are available in a range of styles: Carbon Fibre, Walnut, Shell, Leather and Bamboo.
Pick it up from Mous or from Amazon for £24.99/US$24.99/AU$40.47.
Greenwich Folio Case for iPhone XS Max
Greenwich is a favourite of ours and is often a staple in our cases round up – for good reason. The UK-based company handcrafts premium leather cases that are both beautiful and protective.
The Blake style (pictured) offers a shot-gun tested carbon fibre plating that’s hidden away under the leather. Also hidden is the magnetic back that allows you to mount the case on a car vent. The front flap has a slot a card too.
It’s typically pricey at £129/US$179, but now drastically reduced to £38.70/US$53.70. On Amazon it’s even cheaper at £34.95/$42.95.
See Greenwich’s entire iPhone XS Max collection here.
Snakehive Premium Leather Cases for iPhone XS Max
London-based brand Snakehive produces cases made of European full grain nubuck leather – but which are priced affordably. Soft leather inside the case will also keep your iPhone XS from getting scratched.
The wallet case comes in a variety of solid and and two-tone colours, with the Vintage Bottle Green version pictured here. You can store up to three cards and has openings for easy access to all ports and buttons.
Available directly from Snakehive or on Amazon for £28.95/US$36.99/AU$59.90.
Speck Presidio Grip for iPhone XS Max
Speck, another brand reputed for its hardy cases, throws its hat in the ring with its series of iPhone XS Max cases.
The Grip offers two layers of protection with a polycarbonate shell coupled with a trademarked “Impactium” rubber that absorbs shock. As you can assume, the rubber ridges on the body of the case is what gives its name, while raised bezels around the screen prevent and scuffs and scratches.
Pick it up from Amazon for £13.50/$8.05.
UAG Plasma Case for iPhone XS Max
UAG, or Urban Armor Gear, specializes in rugged cases and has featured in our round ups before. The Plasma series offers military grade protection with its hard shell exterior and soft shock-absorbing core.
It’s also scratch resistant and has padding around the screen area. The case is compatible with wireless charging and Apple Pay.
Available from Amazon for £21.83/US$25.58/AU$41.42 or directly from UAG.
Ted Baker Mirror Folio for iPhone XS Max
The Ted Baker Mirror Folio case is stylish and functional. We don’t expect rugged protection, but it will protect your iPhone XS from day to day wear while keeping it looking fantastic. It offers impact resistance and has a magnetic back cover so you can use it on a car mount or with a wireless charger.
Pick it up for £26.60/$32.90 from Proporta or on Amazon for £10.95/US$12.95.
See all Ted Baker iPhone XS Max cases here. US visitors can see the collection here.
Proporta Flex for iPhone XS Max
The Proporta Flex looks good and promises a slew of protective features too. It’s a hard TPU shell case with a gel interior with drop and shock absorption. It also comes with a kickstand so you can use your iPhone XS handsfree. Like the Ted Baker case, the Flex comes with a magnetic back that makes it compatible with wireless charging and car mounts.
Pick it up for £11.40/US$10.74 directly from Proporta, which offers a lifetime exchange warranty. It’s also available on Amazon.
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Via MACWORLD