9 of the best cases for your Apple iPhone XS Max

There’s never been a pricier iPhone than Apple’s iPhone XS Max, which starts at £1099 – so if you’re picking up this massive slab of a super-powered smartphone, you’d better have protection. It seems a bit silly to buy a phone as sleek and as beautiful as the iPhone XS Max and then cover it up in some cheap case, so we’ve picked out 9 of the best-looking cases that should help to protect your pride and joy if the unthinkable happens.

Apple iPhone XS Max Leather Case (£55)

As with nearly everything else the company makes, you’ll pay a little more for Apple’s smartphone case – but they’re always well-made and stylish. Like other recent iPhone cases, it’s a snug leather shell that securely hugs your iPhone XS Max from behind, providing a better grip while providing some protection, all without shedding the elegant, understated aesthetic. Apple has functionally similar silicone cases for £10 cheaper, but it doesn’t have quite the same premium allure to it.

Ted Baker Babylon Anti-Shock Case (£25)

The iPhone XS Max is already a beautiful handset, but if you want to add a more natural kind of beauty to its aesthetic, then maybe the Ted Baker Babylon case will do the trick. It features a bold, bright floral pattern on the back, and while this is a cheaper plastic case, it’s billed as being able to withstand drops, plus it’s a bit grippier than the naked phone itself. If you’re into the look, then it might find an ideal middle ground between quality, cost, and aesthetic.

Greenwich Blake Folio Case (£139)

Greenwich’s case certainly isn’t cheap, but it is one of the most uniquely styled phone cases we’ve seen in some time. It’s a folio case, so it has a fold-over cover that protects the screen when not in use, with leather wrapped around both sides. The way the leather is stitched around the back camera is really distinctive, and the colour options are plenty alluring – especially this Canary Yellow version. It also boasts gunmetal electroplating and carbon fibre lining, plus the inside flap has a handy slot for business or credit cards. Nice.

Apple iPhone XS Max Leather Folio (£129)

On the other hand, if you want a folio that sticks to Apple’s own minimal tendencies, then you have to go right to the source. Apple, of course, has its own folio for the XS Max, which looks like the previously-listed leather case with a cover attached. It’s very simplistic-looking in execution: there’s nothing on the front and only the Apple logo imprint on the back, aside from the stitching. It also pops your screen on when you open the flap, and it has a larger slit on the inside to hold cards, cash, or whatever else you need to carry around.

Hitcase Splash for iPhone XS Max (£53.55)

If the idea of wielding a £1099 smartphone terrifies you – and really, it should – then you might be tempted to shell out for something seriously strong. And that could be the Hitcase Splash. It has two frame pieces that snap together, along with protective shielding on both the front and back. The case itself is waterproof up to 10ft and drop-proof up to 6ft, plus it has a couple of handy bonus features: a camera shutter button on the upper left, along with the ability to attach external TrueLUX camera lenses.

Spigen Liquid Crystal Case (£8)

All of the previous cases are pretty hearty, extremely visible, and nearly all of them are pricey as well. Spigen’s Liquid Crystal case is none of those things: it’s thin, translucent and incredibly cheap. Spigen has been pumping out these bare-bones cases for a while now, and they’re always solidly reviewed because they get the job done and they’re not ugly or chunky. It’s just a thin TPU plastic case that snugly wraps around the frame and back of your phone: no fuss, no muss.

Tech21 Evo Luxe – Active Edition (£45)

Tech21’s Evo Luxe – Active Edition case has a woven black fabric around much of the back, but also sparkly translucent red plastic along with blue accents. It’s probably a bit of an acquired taste. But the fabric backing should be great for your grip, while the FlexShock high-impact material promises to protect from drops up to 12 feet. And look, if you hate the style of this version, there’s also a Woven Fabric edition that has all shades of grey instead.

Grovemade Walnut iPhone XS Max Case (US$109)

Unlike most of the cases on this list, the Grovemade’s wooden Walnut case isn’t meant to be swapped on and off, nor is it built for durability: you’ll affix it to your phone with a single-use adhesive, and Grovemade freely admits that the case can break during drops. That might not inspire the most confidence, but this is a case meant to protect from everyday nicks and scratches, not to mention one designed to put a truly one-of-a-kind skin on your smartphone.

OtterBox Pursuit Series Case (US$80)

The OtterBox Pursuit Series case is built to withstand a fair bit of punishment. The internal liner should help with absorbing drops, while every opening is sealed off to prevent against pesky dust and liquid. Still, it has an “audio-transparent mesh” to keep the tunes pumping despite the durable case wrapped around your phone. This OtterBox might not be the sleekest or most stylish case you’ll find for Apple’s new extra-large phone, but it’s quite possible the strongest out there.