Although Apple is now on the iPhone 16, there’s no need to upgrade if you’re still rocking the iPhone 12. And the best way to ensure that your phone will have a long lifetime is to invest in a protective case. To save your phone from cracks, dents and scratches, we found the best phone cases for all budgets, from models made with supple leather to silicone. Bonus points if you know an iPhone 12 owner who could use a new look this holiday gifting season.
Read more: Best MagSafe Accessories for iPhone in 2024
The best case for your iPhone 12 will be durable, sturdy and offer enough to protect your phone. It will also have the added advantage of maintaining a nice trade-in value when you finally decide to upgrade. A lot of the cases on this list are also compatible with wireless charging, have responsive buttons and are even Apple-certified MagSafe cases with integrated magnets.
Watch this: iPhone 12 Cases for Every Type of User
I have expensive taste, and I personally like Speck’s Presidio2 Armor Cloud (white model pictured below on the far right). But the Presidio2 Pro (gray case on the far left) is also excellent. If you want an apple clear case, Speck has several iPhone 12 models to choose from, including the Presidio Perfect-Clear with Grips.
All the new models have very good drop protection (13 to 16 feet, depending on the model), as well as Speck’s Microban antimicrobial protection.
If you’re looking for a cheap clear case for your iPhone 12, Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid offers good value, costing around $15, depending on the trim color and which version of iPhone 12 you have (yes, there are a few color options).
No drop rating is listed for the case, but Spigen’s transparent cases feel like they offer reasonable protection. If you want a tough case with stronger protection, the Spigen Tough Armor case is an option for $17, but I personally prefer Spigen’s Ultra and Neo Hybrid cases. Note that a lot of these cheaper clear cases have a habit of turning yellow and degrading over time (and becoming less translucent), but they’re cheap enough that you probably won’t mind shelling out for a replacement case for your Apple iPhone if that happens.
I only recently learned that Cyrill is a sister brand to Spigen and its cases are arguably slightly better, although they cost a few bucks more. We’re linking to the Leather Brick case, pictured here in tan and navy (it’s faux “vegan” leather), but the Silicone case (pictured in light blue) and transparent Cecile cases are also good. The Silicone case is basically a knockoff of the Apple Silicone case without the MagSafe feature.
OtterBox’s super protective Defender series case is available for all the iPhone 12 models with Magsafe compatibility, but most people want something less bulky. The Symmetry series is slim with beveled edges, making it a good mix of sleek and protective. A raised bumper helps act as a screen protector.
Multiple color options are available, including clear, and I’m digging the clear version of the Symmetry Plus Pop case, pictured in the middle, which integrates a PopSockets PopGrip and is wireless charging-compatible, which is important.
OtterBox’s Commuter case offers slightly more protection and is also pretty slim and has grips on the back.
Brooklyn, New York-based Casely makes “cute and protective” cases that have a variety of graphic artists behind their designs. The cases usually start at $25, but the online store often offers discounts.
MagSafe accessories will still stick to your phone if you have a standard thin case, but not nearly as well as if you use one of Apple’s MagSafe cases, which have their own set of embedded magnets that line up with the magnets in your phone.
Apple’s Clear Case with MagSafe is nice because it allows you to show off your phone’s colored finish and the embedded markings tell you exactly where to attach the MagSafe charger for optimal charging speeds (you apparently need Apple’s 20-watt USB-C charging to get the maximum 15-watt wireless charging speeds). The only issue with the clear case is that it leaves the bottom of your phone exposed.
If that bothers you, the Silicone case (pictured, left) with MagSafe is the better option. It works the same way as the Clear case does, with an embedded magnet ring, you just can’t see it. The Silicone case is available in eight color options.
MagSafe stuff isn’t cheap, but it is fun to play with magnetic objects and they do offer some conveniences. The bottom line is that if you do want to try MagSafe accessories and protect your phone with a case, you’re best off with one directly from the Apple Store or another MagSafe-certified case.
KerfCase has been making handmade wooden cases for a while, and its new Plywood case is not only more durable but less expensive than some, starting at $50, with 6-foot drop protection and a limited lifetime repair warranty. I like it better than other wood cases I’ve tried. It’s also worth noting that Apple’s MagSafe charger will stick to the back of it, and KerfCase sells matching charging docks for the Apple MagSafe charger (yes, it’s an accessory for an accessory).
British case-maker Gear4, now owned by Zagg, makes cases that are right up there with OtterBox and Speck, all of them lined with the company’s D3O shock-absorbing material and featuring beveled edges to protect your phone. My favorites include (from left to right) the Wembley Palette, Crystal Palace Iridescent, Battersea and Piccadilly. All of them are rated for 13-foot drop protection and the Battersea is rated for 16 feet.
X-Doria’s Raptic cases come in a variety of styles and cost a little less than competing premium cases from Speck and OtterBox. The thicker Raptic Shield (pictured on the left) costs $28 while the Raptic Air (pictured on the right), which I personally like, is also $30. The Shield has 10-foot drop protection while the Air is rated for 13-foot drop protection. Both have an antimicrobial treatment.
Casetify is known for eye-catching designs on the back of a clear case. They’re relatively slim, sleek-looking cases that offer decent protection and come in a variety of design patterns, with some definite appeal to teenagers. Some of the designs are hit-or-miss but I liked the samples I got. I should note that prices appear to have gone up.
Rokform’s been making tough iPhone cases for years and aside from their durability, their key feature is the ability to use them with various mounts — including bike and motorcycle mounts — that are sold separately. I personally prefer the Crystal series but the Rugged case is slightly more, well, rugged.
Rokform’s cases have removable magnets and they’re compatible with wireless charging if you remove the included center magnet. “With the lower magnet still intact, you can still wireless-charge while utilizing magnetic mounting and all of our mounts,” Rokform says.
BodyGuardz was initially known for its screen protectors, but in recent years, it’s put out some interesting iPhone cases. I personally like the $20 Harmony (pictured left), which has a more square bottom. The Stack (center) is $13 while the Avenue (right) is no longer available. They come in a few color options.
Smartish’s affordable, simple, slim cases and wallet cases return for the iPhone 12. The Wallet Slayer 2.0 case (pictured on left and right) costs a little more now ($18 to $30 depending on which option you go for) but comes in a variety of designs. It holds three credit cards plus cash and you can use one of your credit cards as a kickstand.
UK-based Torro makes some nice leather-clad cases that aren’t too expensive (a leather case typically tends to cost over $50). The Torro Leather Bumper ($45) is a pretty straightforward bumper case with a leather back. It’s one of the better leather cases you’ll find for the money. The case is available in multiple colors.
Like Lifeproof, Catalyst made a name for itself with waterproof cases, but it now focuses on standard protective case options and has two new models for the iPhone 12: the Vibe (left) and the Influence (right), which has a see-through frosted back. Both cases have perforations on the corners that allow you to attach various accessories (sold separately), such as lanyards and carabiners. The Vibe is rated for 10-foot drop protection while the Influence is rated for 15 feet.
Nomad makes a line of nice iPhone 12 Horween leather case styles that are designed to develop a “rugged” patina as the oils from your skin interact with them over time. The new Rugged leather case options are available in black, brown and a lighter natural color that I like. They’re rated for 10-foot (3-meter) drop protection.
I’m personally not a crossbody case guy (meaning a case with a long strap so you can wear your phone like a purse), but some people love them. You can find some fancy ones out there that cost a lot of money, but if you’re looking for something simpler, the Smartish Crossbody case is around $35 and comes in multiple colors. The iPhone case design incorporates some faux leather and the case offers decent protection along with three slots for storing up to five credit cards and cash in the wallet compartment. You can choose to go with a shorter hand strap or the longer adjustable crossbody strap.
Incipio has an assortment of cases for the iPhone 12 lineup, including the sturdy Duo with 12-foot drop protection, the Slim, the Grip and the Organicore, an eco case that’s 100% compostable. All are available in multiple color options, and the Slim comes in a variety of translucent options.
You know all those compact discs you no longer listen to? Well, Nimble makes translucent iPhone cases out of them. They have antimicrobial protection, are scratch-resistant and aren’t supposed to turn yellow over time. The Disc Case is slim, but it’s rated for 6-foot drop protection.
Case-Mate makes a variety of color cases, some of which have glitter integrated into their translucent designs. I only got a look at the twinkle ombre iPhone case, but the iridescent soap bubble and tough groove cases also look cool.
If selfies are your thing, then you’re probably aware of the LuMee cases that have built-in lighting. This Paris Hilton-endorsed Holographic version has an iridescent design. It charges via USB-C and gives you 30 minutes of “studio lighting” at full brightness. The case does allow wireless charging and you can adjust the brightness levels of the light.
I wasn’t a fan of earlier Pelican cases, which were very protective but just a little too bulky (and ugly), but in the last couple of years (starting with the iPhone 11), the company, now owned by Case-mate, added some slimmer designs, including two that I like: the Protector (pictured, middle in camo color) and the Rogue (at left and right), which has a soft rubber bubbled pattern.
Apple upgraded the cameras in its iPhone 12 models, with the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max offering step-up camera options (the iPhone Max is the best in the imaging department). A select few accessory makers like Moment allow you to enhance your shooting with add-on lenses and filters. Sold separately from the case, the lenses aren’t cheap, but they are high-quality.
Moment’s iPhone cases include an insertable mount that can be removed when you’re not playing around with any optional lenses, which are easy to attach. Its Thin Case is a simple but attractive rubberized case made of compostable bioplastic that’s rated for 6-foot drop protection. Cases with wood and canvas on their backs are also available.
I’ve always liked Moshi cases and the company’s made versions of its iGlaze, Altra and Vitros cases (pictured from left to right) for the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max. The Altra is the most distinct-looking and has a geometric rubber finish that makes your phone nice and grippy. It also includes a lanyard. Not pictured is the Overture (coming soon), a two-in-one folio wallet case. You fit your iPhone into a slim shell case that then magnetically adheres to the cover, which has slots for storing credit cards and cash. Moshi’s available cases range in price from $25 to $50.
Showcase your love for music festivals with the Wildflower x Coachella iPhone 12 phone case collaboration. I love the fun design of the case, which includes palm trees, flowers and the iconic Coachella ferris wheel. The case itself is decent quality and offers a medium level of protection for your phone without being too bulky. When it’s available it can be purchased for $37.
I’ve recently become a fan of Clckr’s cases, which feature a built-in stand and grip strap that folds out and clicks into place on the back of your phone. Clckr sells just the stand-strap accessory to stick on the back of your phone or on a case, but the case with the integrated stand accessory is better and comes in a few different styles, including clear (I like the Saffiano blue but it’s currently only available in black).
The cases aren’t rugged but they’re protective enough, with raised edges to protect the screen. The one I used with my iPhone 11 Pro for several months held up well.
With the stand clicked in place, you can use your device hands-free in either portrait or landscape mode. Note that you can wirelessly charge your phone with this case on, although you have to be more careful about placing it in the right spot on a wireless charging pad for it to work. The new models have antimicrobial protection.
