The 10 Best iPhone 7 Cases
Special Honors
Alcantara Slip-Case with Pocket If you like to use your phone without a case, but still want something to keep it protected when you aren't actively talking on it or browsing the web, the Alcantara Slip-Case with Pocket is a good choice. As the name implies, you can easily slip your device in and out of it, and it has room to hold a credit card or two. Its attractive soft fabric provides a secure grip too. wrappersuk.com
Caudabe Sheath If you can't stand the thought of adding any unnecessary bulk to your device, you'll like the minimalistic Caudabe Sheath. It is crafted from ShockLite, which is a soft, gel-like polymer that offers a high level of shock absorption despite being less than one millimeter thick. caudabe.com
Editor's Notes
May 28, 2021:
To be clear, the iPhone 7 and 8 are the same size and the cases are basically interchangeable. We've removed a couple unavailable models and inserted the Obliq Slim Meta as our new #1. Naturally, the case you choose will probably come down mostly to aesthetics, but we really like the Obliq because of its sleek yet minimalist appearance and its slim form factor. After all, if you're still using a 7 or 8, it's likely that one of your reasons for doing so is that it's considerably smaller than most of today's gigantic smartphones. The Obliq helps to keep the whole package relatively compact while also offering protection and a bit of colorful self expression.
We also added the Mkeke Crystal Clear as our new #2 because, after all, iPhones are attractive devices all on their own and don't need much embellishment to look great. The rest of our selections have not changed from our last update, and run the gamut from minimalist sleeves to veritable phone wallets.
April 02, 2020:
Whether you have had your phone for years or it is brand new, there is nothing worse than breaking it. Not only does buying a new one usually require a pretty hefty investment, but they are filled with invaluable data from contact information to pictures to notes that, if you aren't diligent about backing up, can be impossible to replace. With one of these protective cases though, hopefully you'll never have to go through that experience again, unless of course you lose your phone, which is why we always recommend having Apple's Find My app enabled.
Considering that phones often work as digital wallets these days, allowing us to pay for things using services like Apple Pay, we thought readers may appreciate some case options that also act as physical wallets, such as the Snakehive Wallet and Smartish Wallet Slayer Volume 1. The former is a flip folio that has three credit card slots and a dedicated pocket for cash, while the latter has a single pocket that can be used to hold both.
On the opposite side of the spectrum are the people who can't stand any unnecessary bulk and are looking for the slimmest case possible. For these users we recommend the Smartish Kung Fu Grip, Tendlin Hybrid Slim, and Supcase Unicorn Beetle Style. Of these, we feel the Tendlin Hybrid Slim has the most elegant design, thanks to its wood veneer and faux leather strips, though the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Style offers slightly better protection and is compatible with popsockets and various other phone grips.
If a high level of protection is what you are after and you don't mind adding a little extra heft and thickness to your device, the Trianium Duranium Series and OtterBox Defender are worthy options. The former covers both the front and back of the phone, and the latter has a very thick raised lip to safeguard the screen. Both feature a belt clip holster, too
Protecting The Pricey But Delicate iPhone 7
For those iPhone owners there are a number of low-profile, slim iPhone cases that complement the sleek design of Apple's flagship smartphone.
Led by booming iPhone 7 sales, iPhone ownership reached an all-time high in the United States in 2017, with more than an estimated 85.8 million iPhones in the hands of American consumers. This growth in market share of Apple's handset brought along with it a demand for cases to protect what for many is their primary computer.
Hundreds of manufacturers have stepped up to fill this need, including Apple itself. There truly is a case for just about every need, including underwater cases, fashion cases, battery boosting cases, and even obscenely expensive cases for those interested in flaunting their wealth.
Cases are in competition with iPhone insurance policies, which also offer protection for the device, albeit in a different way. These insurance policies appeal to users who prefer a device without added bulk. For those iPhone owners there are a number of low-profile, slim iPhone cases that complement the sleek design of Apple's flagship smartphone.
While cellular phones have advanced by leaps and bounds since the year 2000, and boast more power than the NASA Apollo computers, they remain tragically fragile.
The cracked smartphone screen is a ubiquitous sight, and for good reason. In addition to being brittle, iPhone 7 screens are costly to repair. An appropriate case can spare consumers the drama of those alarming moments after their gorgeous phone slips from their grasp and to the ground.
The iPhone case also increases the likelihood that your device will be in a condition suitable for resale when the time comes. This is especially important considering the Apple phone holds its value better than any other smart phone.
The Right Case For Your Lifestyle
With so many options, choosing an iPhone 7 case can be challenging. Consider the following points before making a purchase.
How do you use your device? If you're away from home for many hours at a time, a case that boosts the battery may be worthy of consideration. These battery cases can, in some instances, more than double the effective battery life of your iPhone.
If you rarely pull your mobile phone from your pocket, a svelte and fashionable case that offers protection from car key scrapes and dings may be all you need.
Kickstand cases were developed with this function in mind, and are a popular choice.
However, if you frequently handle the phone, a bulkier case is more suitable.
While many cases do not sport a built-in screen protector, the feature is advised for those who often transfer their phone from pocket to desktop, and for the clumsy among us. Screen protectors can also be purchased separately, if the case you like most does not include one.
For many, the iPhone 7 is primarily used for media consumption, to the dismay of many in the entertainment industry. Kickstand cases were developed with this function in mind, and are a popular choice.
Cases that add features to your device are also worthy of consideration. If wireless or inductive charging interests you, there are cases that grant your iPhone this ability. There are also cases that add ports to the notoriously port-anemic device, including the headphone jack, which is conspicuously absent from the iPhone 7.
A Brief History Of iPhone Protection
Released in June 2007, the iPhone was the obsession of late Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs. Described by Jobs at MacWorld in January 2007 as an "iPod with touch controls," a "revolutionary mobile phone," and a "breakthrough Internet communicator," the iPhone was an instant success.
Apple sold the millionth iPhone only 74 days after its June release, and because the device was significantly more expensive than traditional cellular phones on sale at the time, demand for cases was immediate.
Cases for the 4 and the nearly identical 4S model which followed were slimmer than their predecessors, and lent the fragile device significantly more durability.
When Apple chose to enter the iPhone case business in 2010 with the iPhone 4 bumper case, they joined a market that was already thriving. Numerous third party manufacturers had offered cases since the release of the first generation iPhone.
As the iPhone improved in the following years, so too did the cases designed to protect it.
Many cases for the original iPhone were bulky and ill-fitting, owing in part to that model's rounded form factor. Early cases often prioritized belt-clipping capability over protection. But with the release of the glamorous glass and metal iPhone 4, the Apple device moved from the hip to the pocket. This change meant the belt clip was no longer a priority for case manufacturers.
Cases for the 4 and the nearly identical 4S model which followed were slimmer than their predecessors, and lent the fragile device significantly more durability. They also added protection for the increasingly important camera lens, which, with the popularization of mobile video making, became a key iPhone feature.
Manufacturers like Otter Box and Life Proof established themselves on the backs of these sleeker iPhone designs, adding waterproof and genuine shatterproof functionality to the fifth generation iPhone. These two companies would later become one when Otter Box acquired Life Proof in 2013.
When the iPhone 7 was released in September 2016, the case market was more diverse than ever. Quality bumper cases at the bottom of the market remained popular, and upmarket alternatives were produced by designers like Louis Vuitton.