The iPhone 12 Pro Max is here. One of four new handsets revealed at Apple’s October event, it’s the larger (and consequently most expensive) iPhone ever made.
With a 6.7in OLED display and weighing 228g, it’s a big phone in more ways than one. Other highlights include the class-leading A14 Bionic processor, powerful camera system and large battery.
The latter two are where you’ll see the big upgrades over the rest of the iPhone 12 range, with a 3687mAh cell providing multi-day battery life and telephoto rear camera enabling you to take great photos from a distance. There’s also a LiDAR sensor, which allows for more realistic AR experiences.
As you might expect from a phone that starts at £1,099/US$1,099, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is an all-glass phone. That makes it vulnerable to damage from the bumps, scratches and drops associated with everyday usage.
With that in mind, here are some great cases to protect the phone. We haven’t been able to test all the options here for ourself, but can easily recommend them based on the brand’s strong reputation. We’ll also be sure to mention whether they’re compatible with Apple’s new MagSafe charging technology.
We’re separately looking at the best iPhone 12 Pro Max deals on contract and SIM-free.
Official Apple Silicone
Apple’s official lineup seems like the obvious place to start, and its silicone case is our favourite for the iPhone 12 range.
The case is soft to the touch while adding plenty of grip to the 12 Pro Max. Apple claims it’s undergone thousands of hours of testing to ensure it can protect the phone from scratches and drops.
It’s available in 8 colours, including Product Red (pictured). Buying this variant will see the proceeds go towards the global COVID-19 relief fund.
As you might expect, there’s also full MagSafe compatibility.
Spigen Rugged Armor
You can always rely on Spigen’s Rugged Armor to provide excellent protection for your phone, and that’s no different here.
The combination of silicone and soft TPU helps keep your device safe from bumps, drops and scratches, with subtle raised edging helping to keep the screen in tact. A unique patterned design mean it instantly stands out, while there’s full compatibility with MagSafe.
Mous Limitless 3.0
Mous’ Limitless case is now in its third iteration, but the fundamentals of great protection and design remain the same.
The case featues ‘AiroShock technology’, which absorbs the impact of even more severe bumps and drops to keep the phone safe. Crucially, it’s able to achieve this while adding very little bulk to the 12 Pro Max.
There’s a variety of material effects to choose from, including the Aramid Fibre pictured, and the option to connect a wrist strap for hands-free usage.
Mous has specifically stated that the case is compatible with MagSafe.
Nudient Thin V3
Also onto its third version, the Nudient Thin is one of the most impressive cases I’ve tried. The hard shell design keeps the phone protected from drops and scratches, while a smooth back design makes it extremely comfortable to hold.
To help ensure the perfect fit, there are also tiny magnets built into the case, which automatically adjust the phone’s positioning where appropriate.
It’s available in a variety of colours, including Pine Green (pictured), and fully compatible with MagSafe.
Moshi Overture
Moshi’s Overture is a premium case that ticks all the boxes for most people. It’s made from a stunning vegan leather that looks and feels the part, especially on this larger phone. Combined with the hard inner shell which houses the phone, it provides military grade protection.
The Overture case also boasts 3-in-1 functionality, also offering spaces for cards/notes and a built-in stand. There are also strong magnets which mean it’s compatible with Moshi’s ‘SnapTo’ range of magnetic mounts.
If you’re not a fan of the Jet Black pictured, it’s also available in Luna Pink.
Compatibility with wireless charging suggests the same will be true of MagSafe.
ESR Clear
If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to Apple’s official clear case, look no further than this ESR model. It’s perfect if you want to protect your phone but would rather not cover up its stunning design.
The flexible silicone design provides excellent shock resistance, while raised bezels ensure the screen and camera module are similarly well protected.
There’s also no branding of any description, giving it a real minimalist feel. ESR hasn’t specifically mentioned MagSafe, but it’s advertising wireless chargers alongside the case so we’d expect the case to be compatible.
Snakehive Leather Wallet
For a more traditional leather wallet, look no further than Snakehive. This vintage aesthetic is available in 7 distinct colours, all of which provide excellent all-around protection.
Another advantage of this design is that the textured card slots can double as a stand for hands-free viewing. Other key features include transparent inner casing to protect the most fragile parts of the device, while a strong magnetic clasp ensures it stays closed when not in use.
Mujjo Leather
This Mujjo offering isn’t a wallet case in the traditional sense. Instead of providing access to cards and notes within a folio design, the card holder here is attached to the back of the case for easy access.
In terms of design, it’s made from premium vegetable tanned leather that can absorb much of the impact of drops and bumps. It will also naturally patina over time, meaning it can look even better after a few months’ of usage.
We particularly like the Monaco Blue variant pictured, but it’s available in a wide variety of colours.
So you’ve found a great case, but what if you haven’t bought the phone yet? Check out our iPhone 12 deals guide for all the best places to pick one up.
You may also be interested in our round-ups of the best iPhone 12/12 Pro cases and best iPhone 12 mini cases.
Author: Anyron Copeman, Senior Staff Writer
As the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyron’s main focus is PCs and laptops. Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices.