Max – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com Latest Crypto News Sun, 20 Jul 2025 01:52:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 https://i0.wp.com/earlybirdsinvest.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cropped-New-Project-2024-12-17T235703.455.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Max – Earlybirds Invest https://earlybirdsinvest.com 32 32 240146708 Want to Max Out Your IRA Before 2026? Here's How. https://earlybirdsinvest.com/want-to-max-out-your-ira-before-2026-heres-how/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/want-to-max-out-your-ira-before-2026-heres-how/#respond Sun, 20 Jul 2025 01:52:28 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/want-to-max-out-your-ira-before-2026-heres-how/

You want to enjoy a comfortable retirement without worrying about how you’ll pay all your bills. But that requires a pretty sizable nest egg — often seven figures. It takes consistent savings throughout your career to get there.

Maxing out your IRA is a great starting point, especially if you don’t have access to a 401(k) through your job. With the year half over, you might think it’s too late to do this for 2025. However, it might still be possible if you follow these steps.

Smiling person writing note while sitting in front of laptop.

Image source: Getty Images.

Understand what maxing out your IRA means

Maxing out your IRA contributions means different things, depending on your age, the type of IRA you’re using, and sometimes your income. The first step is figuring out what maxing out your IRA even looks like for you.

All IRAs have annual contribution limits of $7,000 in 2025 for adults under 50. But those who will be 50 or older by the end of the year can make a $1,000 catch-up contribution, bringing their annual limit to $8,000. These limits apply to all of your IRAs together, not to each one individually.

If you’re saving in a traditional, tax-deferred IRA, you can contribute up to the annual limit as long as your annual earnings from your job equal or exceed your IRA contributions. For example, if you only made $5,000 this year, the max IRA contribution you could make is $5,000. Spousal IRAs are an exception for married couples, allowing a nonwage-earning spouse to make IRA contributions, as long as their partner earns enough to cover contributions to both spouses’ IRAs.

Roth IRAs are trickier. You fund these accounts with after-tax dollars, which lets you make tax-free withdrawals in retirement. This is a huge advantage, especially if you expect your tax bracket to stay the same or increase in retirement. Most people will be able to contribute up to the annual maximum, but some high earners could run into income limits that cap their maximum Roth IRA contribution at a lower amount.

How to max out your IRA by the end of 2025

Once you know how much you’re allowed to contribute to an IRA in 2025, you can work on a plan to max yours out. First, subtract any money you’ve already contributed to your IRA this year from your annual contribution limit. If you’ve already put $1,000 in your traditional IRA and you’re under 50, then you can only set aside $6,000 more this year.

Next, divide the remainder in a way that makes sense to you. The two most common approaches are by month or by pay period. Figure out how you want to do it and how much you’ll need to set aside each time.

For example, if you want to set aside $7,000 and make monthly contributions (including one for July), you’d set aside about $1,167 per month. Or if you wanted to exclude July, that would bump your monthly contribution to $1,400 per month.

The more complicated part of this is coming up with the money. A regular contribution is ideal, but you may not be able to afford to save your target amount out of your regular monthly income. So you have a few options.

You could try to earn extra money throughout the year through a side hustle. If you stash that money into a traditional IRA, you shouldn’t have to worry about it affecting your tax bill very much. Or you might be able to get some overtime at your regular job.

If you qualify for a year-end bonus, you could set this aside for retirement as well. This could reduce the amount you have to set aside per month. For example, if you expect a $1,000 bonus, you’d only have to save $6,000 on your own, which would drop your monthly contribution from $1,167 to $1,000.

You still might not be able to get together enough money to max out your IRA, and that’s OK. Even if you only save $1,000, that’s something to be proud of. And if you’re really determined to set aside more, you should know that you have until you file your 2025 taxes to make IRA contributions for this year. You can use the first few months of 2026 to continue adding to your IRA if you want to.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/want-to-max-out-your-ira-before-2026-heres-how/feed/ 0 48625 Bitcoin Legend Max Keiser Predicts BTC to Hit $220K in 2025 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-legend-max-keiser-predicts-btc-to-hit-220k-in-2025/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-legend-max-keiser-predicts-btc-to-hit-220k-in-2025/#respond Thu, 10 Jul 2025 10:46:38 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-legend-max-keiser-predicts-btc-to-hit-220k-in-2025/

Veteran Bitcoin (BTC) evangelist Max Keiser has reignited bullish sentiment in the crypto community with a renewed call that the OG cryptocurrency will reach $220,000 before the end of 2025.

In a series of posts on X, he stressed that his forecast, once seen as outlandish, now appears increasingly plausible, especially following BTC’s new all-time high of $112,152, reached just hours earlier.

$220K BTC Call Gains New Momentum

Keiser first floated his $220,000 prediction in December 2022 during an interview with Daniela Cambone. At the time, the digital asset market was caught in a debilitating “crypto winter,” with its overall value plummeting from $3 trillion to under $1 trillion and BTC sinking to five-digit lows.

The former broadcaster is now circling back to the projection, pointing out that the price of Bitcoin has increased 700% since his sit-down with Cambone.

“Bitcoin up 700% since this interview 2 years ago (and $220,000 in 2025 looks likely),” Keiser wrote on X.

While skeptics challenged his thesis two years ago, BTC’s current price is lending it credibility. “$220,000 in 2025,” he reiterated in another post.

The number one cryptocurrency recently chalked up a new all-time high, after initially surging past $109,000 following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump on July 9, demanding the Federal Reserve execute the “biggest interest rate cut in history.”

Analysts at the Kobeissi Letter warned that such an unprecedented cut, while potentially saving $174 billion in near-term interest and slashing mortgage rates, could supercharge inflation, possibly benefiting riskier assets like Bitcoin.

This macro bombshell shattered weeks of consolidation between $105,000 and $110,000, decisively propelling BTC past its old peak. Market intelligence firm Santiment pinpointed the breakout’s contrarian nature, noting it occurred precisely when “many retailers had been dropping out due to boredom or disbelief,” a classic signal of smart money accumulation preceding major rallies.

Keiser Holds Back on Timing to Avoid Investor ‘Fear’

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin was trading near $111,090, and showing modest momentum, with gains of 2.1% in the last 24 hours and 1.8% over the past week.

While Keiser’s $220,000 target remains highly ambitious, his conviction has been constant through the asset’s ups and downs. However, he has intriguingly hinted at withholding the precise timing of his prediction, suggesting the full picture might unsettle investors.

“I pause before giving exact timing of price targets not to scare people,” Keiser admitted in one post, adding more emphatically in another, “If I gave you both the price and date most of you would be scared.”

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-legend-max-keiser-predicts-btc-to-hit-220k-in-2025/feed/ 0 46833 Bitcoin Holds Above $107K Ahead of Friday’s Big Options Expiry With $102K Max Pain Price https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-holds-above-107k-ahead-of-fridays-big-options-expiry-with-102k-max-pain-price/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-holds-above-107k-ahead-of-fridays-big-options-expiry-with-102k-max-pain-price/#respond Thu, 26 Jun 2025 20:25:33 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-holds-above-107k-ahead-of-fridays-big-options-expiry-with-102k-max-pain-price/

Bitcoin

traded in a tight range just during U.S. hours Thursday ahead of a big options quarter expiry on Friday.

The top cryptocurrency is currently trading for $107,500, down 0.2% in the past 24 hours, while the CoinDesk 20 — an index of the top 20 coins by market capitalization, except for stablecoins, exchange coins and stablecoins — lost 0.9% in the same period of time.

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“This Friday marks one of the largest option expiries of the year on Deribit,” Jean-David Péquignot, chief commercial officer at Deribit, told CoinDesk. BTC options open interest stands at $40 billion, Péquignot said, and 38% of these contracts will expire on Friday.

“Max pain price for Friday is at $102,000, with a put/call ratio of 0.73,” said Péquignot.

Bitcoin’s implied volatility, measured by Deribit DVOL, dropped to 38% from 50% in what was a wild April, signaling perhaps that the market is increasingly confident in the cryptocurrency’s macro-hedge role, according to Péquignot. Meanwhile, put-call skews show no clear directional positioning for traders in the short-term.

“Bitcoin’s $105,000 level is pivotal, with technicals suggesting caution if support fails,” Péquignot said. “Low open interest in perps and fairly depressed Bitcoin implied volatility and skew are indicative of limited expectations for sharp price movements going into Friday’s expiry.”

A number of crypto stocks are managing gains on Thursday, with Core Scientific (CORZ) surging more than 33% off of a Wall Street Journal report that the bitcoin miner may soon be acquired by AI Hyperscaler CoreWeave (CRWV).

Circle (CRCL), Coinbase (COIN), Riot Platforms (RIOT) and Hut 8 (HUT) were higher by 5%-7%, while Strategy (MSTR) was lower by nearly 1%.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-holds-above-107k-ahead-of-fridays-big-options-expiry-with-102k-max-pain-price/feed/ 0 44297 Max Keiser Predicts $800K BTC from ‘Bond Apocalypse,’ Markets Eye $93K https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-keiser-predicts-800k-btc-from-bond-apocalypse-markets-eye-93k/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-keiser-predicts-800k-btc-from-bond-apocalypse-markets-eye-93k/#respond Sun, 22 Jun 2025 15:39:12 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-keiser-predicts-800k-btc-from-bond-apocalypse-markets-eye-93k/

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) was a couple of hundred dollars under $103,000, after dipping 4% in 24 hours, but Max Keiser is suggesting this volatility is mere tremors before a seismic surge to $800,000.

In a sit-down with Bitcoin Magazine’s Isabella Santos, the legendary BTC prophet claimed that the 10-year Japanese Government Bond (JGB) yield is the “lynchpin” threatening financial collapse and triggering Bitcoin’s epic moon mission.

The Road to $800K

In the interview, the Bitcoin bull laid out a doomsday scenario that could potentially lead to an astronomical spike in the king cryptocurrency’s price:

“There is one piece of data that is the lynchpin of the entire global financial system… It’s the rate of interest on the 10-year Japanese bond,” Keiser declared.

Currently, the yield is at about 3.5%, and any higher, the market watcher warned, could potentially lead to the collapse of the decades-long “yen carry trade,” where Wall Street borrowed near-zero-yen to fuel speculative investments.

“The Japanese economy is going to have to start selling U.S. Treasury bonds to stay solid, which would create a cascading event, what I call the bond apocalypse, where the global bond market crashes.”

He stated that if this were to happen, then trillions of dollars’ worth of capital would flee collapsing government debt and rush straight into BTC.

“In that environment, Bitcoin spikes to $500,000, $600,000, $800,000.”

Bearish Caution

While Keiser’s prediction might have gotten the crypto community on X talking, the market remains rather tense and confused. Pseudonymous trader Mr Wall Street hinted at a potential short-term nosedive to the $93,000 to $95,000 range, warning that the charts were “screaming for lower.”

Still, voices of resilience have been piping up, with analyst Axel Adler Jr. pointing to rising long liquidation dominance without a major price crash as a “good signal,” suggesting strong underlying buyer support.

Additionally, on-chain sleuth DeFiTracer sees cooling Middle East tensions due to Iran’s apparent openness to talks as well as Fed member Christopher J. Waller’s signal for July rate cuts as bullish signals. He suggested these catalysts are quietly shifting markets from uncertainty “into the trust phase.”

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-keiser-predicts-800k-btc-from-bond-apocalypse-markets-eye-93k/feed/ 0 43489 Exploit details for max severity Cisco IOS XE flaw now public https://earlybirdsinvest.com/exploit-details-for-max-severity-cisco-ios-xe-flaw-now-public/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/exploit-details-for-max-severity-cisco-ios-xe-flaw-now-public/#respond Sun, 01 Jun 2025 21:29:32 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/exploit-details-for-max-severity-cisco-ios-xe-flaw-now-public/

Cisco

Technical details about a maximum-severity Cisco IOS XE WLC arbitrary file upload flaw tracked as CVE-2025-20188 have been made publicly available, bringing us closer to a working exploit.

The write-up by Horizon3 researchers does not contain a ‘ready-to-run’ proof of concept RCE exploit script, but it does provide enough information for a skilled attacker or even an LLM to fill in the missing pieces.

Given the immediate risk of weaponization and widespread use in attacks, it is recommended that impacted users take action now to protect their endpoints.

The Cisco IOS XE WLC flaw

Cisco disclosed the critical flaw in IOS XE Software for Wireless LAN Controllers on May 7, 2025, which allows an attacker to take over devices.

The vendor said it is caused by a hard-coded JSON Web Token (JWT) that allows an unauthenticated, remote attacker to upload files, perform path traversal, and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.

The bulletin noted that CVE-2025-20188 is only dangerous when the ‘Out-of-Band AP Image Download’ feature is enabled on the device, in which case, the following device models are at risk:

  • Catalyst 9800-CL Wireless Controllers for Cloud
  • Catalyst 9800 Embedded Wireless Controller for Catalyst 9300, 9400, and 9500 Series Switches
  • Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
  • Embedded Wireless Controller on Catalyst APs

Horizon3’s attack example

Horizon3’s analysis shows that the flaw exists due to a hardcoded JWT fallback secret (“notfound”) used by the backend Lua scripts for upload endpoints combined with insufficient path validation.

Specifically, the backend uses OpenResty (Lua + Nginx) scripts to validate JWT tokens and handle file uploads, but if the ‘/tmp/nginx_jwt_key’ file is missing, the script falls back to the string “notfound” as the secret to verify JWTs.

This basically allows attackers to generate valid tokens without knowing any secrets by simply using ‘HS256’ and ‘notfound.’

Horizon3’s example sends an HTTP POST request with a file upload to the ‘/ap_spec_rec/upload/’ endpoint via port 8443 and uses filename path traversal to drop an innocuous file (foo.txt) outside the intended directory.

Request to regenerate the JWT using the notfound secret key
Request to regenerate the JWT using the notfound secret key
Source: Horizon3

To escalate the file upload flaw to remote code execution, the attacker could overwrite configuration files loaded by backend services, drop web shells, or abuse monitored files to trigger unauthorized actions.

Horizon3’s example abuses the ‘pvp.sh’ service that monitors specific directories, overwrites the config files it depends on, and triggers a reload even to run attacker commands.

Given the elevated risk of exploitation, users are recommended to upgrade to a patched version (17.12.04 or newer) as soon as possible.

As a temporary workaround, admins can turn off the Out-of-Band AP Image Download feature to close the vulnerable service.

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]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/exploit-details-for-max-severity-cisco-ios-xe-flaw-now-public/feed/ 0 39582 Bitcoin Maxi Max Keizer is not buying hype around new crypto holding companies https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-maxi-max-keizer-is-not-buying-hype-around-new-crypto-holding-companies/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-maxi-max-keizer-is-not-buying-hype-around-new-crypto-holding-companies/#respond Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:15:04 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-maxi-max-keizer-is-not-buying-hype-around-new-crypto-holding-companies/ They say that journalists never really kick out time. But for Christians, it’s not just a minor phor, it’s a lifestyle. Every day, he navigates the ever-changing tide of the cryptocurrency market, waving around words like a veteran editor, and writing articles deciphering jargon for the masses. However, when the PC goes into Hibernate mode, his pursuit gets a more mechanical (and sometimes philosophical) turn.

Christian journeys in written words began long before the Bitcoin era. In the sacred halls of academia, he hone his craft as a feature writer for university papers. This early love of storytelling paved the way for a successful stint as an editor at a data engineering company. His first month’s essay victory, a testament to his dedication to his furry companions, the victory of his first month’s essay funded the supply of treats for dogs and kittens (more on that);

Christian then roamed the world of journalism, working for Canadian and Korean newspapers. He eventually settled on the local news giant in his hometown of the Philippines for a decade and became a complete news addict. But then something new caught his eye: cryptocurrency. It was like a treasure hunt mixed with storytelling – just above his alley!

So he landed a killer gig at NewsBTC. There, he is one of the go-to people of everything in code. He breaks this confusing thing down into bite-sized pieces, making it easier for anyone to understand (he pays tribute to his management team to teach him this skill).

Do you think all Christians don’t have work and play? It’s not a chance! When he’s not at his computer, you’ll find him pampering his passion for the bike. A true gearhead, Christian loves to tinker with his bike and enjoy the joys of the road opened with the 320-cc Yamaha R3. Once a Speed ​​Demon hit 120 mph (a feat that he swore not to repeat), he prefers to ride slowly along the coast, thinning his hair and enjoying the wind.

Speaking of cold, Christian has a crew of furry friends waiting for him at home. Two cats and a dog. He swears that cats are far smarter than dogs (sorry, grizzly), but he adores them all anyway. Apparently, seeing his pet just cold helps him write meticulously formatted articles even better.

This is what this guy means. He works a lot, but he’s fueled enough coffee to make it all day – and some seriously delicious (Filipino) food. He says tasty meals are the secret ingredient in killer articles. And after a long day of code crusades, he relaxes with some rum (mixed with milk) while watching a slapstick movie.

Looking ahead, Christian looks at a bright future with NewsBTC. He says that his expertise and passion are privileged to share with fellow editors and bosses, share what he respects deeply, and share his expertise and passion.

So next time you step into the world of cryptocurrency, remember the man behind the words that the Cryptocratic Crusades, Grease Monkeys, and the Cat Philosopher all rolled into one.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/bitcoin-maxi-max-keizer-is-not-buying-hype-around-new-crypto-holding-companies/feed/ 0 39567 Talking beers, bars, and $80 million losses with SportFi pioneer Chiliz’s Max Rabinovitch  https://earlybirdsinvest.com/talking-beers-bars-and-80-million-losses-with-sportfi-pioneer-chilizs-max-rabinovitch/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/talking-beers-bars-and-80-million-losses-with-sportfi-pioneer-chilizs-max-rabinovitch/#respond Sun, 25 May 2025 19:22:31 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/talking-beers-bars-and-80-million-losses-with-sportfi-pioneer-chilizs-max-rabinovitch/

It’s not too often that an interview at a crypto conference feels more like meeting a mate for a few beers at a bar. Yet that’s exactly what speaking with Max Rabinovitch, the Chief Strategy Officer of Chiliz, is like. Unhurried and unpretentious, after the high-octane pace of TOKEN2049 week, it feels good to take a breath and bring the tempo back down to earth.

From our meeting today, you’d have no idea that Max is used to being inside some of the most powerful boardrooms on earth, securing multimillion-dollar deals, and helping advance the conversation about sensible crypto regulation.

Unlike the multitudes of overly complex dApps and abstract solutions in search of a problem, Chiliz’s value proposition is very clear: the leading sports blockchain providing real utility for sports fans worldwide. Max explains:

“We’re kind of a weird niche product in the scope of crypto. We didn’t have the ambition to be a generalized chain winner and compete with the Solanas or the Polygons of the world. We just wanted to make this one thing work.”

Max admits that being part of a minority community building retail-facing utility entertainment products isn’t always easy. Retail traders tend to chase the speculation, liquidity, and overall “sexiness” of the latest narratives from DeFi apps to NFTs.

“You have to figure out other ways to entice people to essentially, one, build in your ecosystem, and two, interact with it as a retailer.”

Not being part of the cool crowd doesn’t make Chiliz’s USP any less compelling. When people tell Max that Chiliz “should have gotten into NFTs,” he replies:

“The market cap of our fan tokens and the daily trading volume are higher than the entire trading volume of all NFTs in the world put together. So we have to be doing something right.”

Unlike the shiny projects offering yield farming, liquid staking, meme coins, or Bitcoin DeFi, Chiliz is one of the few to make its way deep into the mainstream, becoming a household name in the world’s most popular sport, followed by an estimated 73% of the global population. Chiliz has onboarded some of the biggest football brands, including FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United.

“We have over 75 disparate token economies, of which the top 20 are still incredibly alive. Over the years, people have equated Chiliz with the football token. When the World Cup comes, Chiliz (CHZ) always pumps.”

Beers, bars, and QPR

As an American talking about football, you can tell Max has lived in Europe for some time. He no longer bothers to make the distinction between “football” and “soccer.”

I ask what team he supports, and he smiles. I expect him to say Manchester United, Real Madrid, or one of the multiple cup-winning teams that invariably attract a foreign audience to the sport. “It took me a while,” he admits. “Growing up in America, we had the other football.”

It wasn’t until Max’s gaming and poker background took him to Malta, the iGaming hub of Europe, that he found himself falling for the beautiful game:

“I had no friends,” he recalls. “The first friend I made was this British guy. You know, when you move to a new country, you just don’t have a choice. You either sit at home or go hang out with the British guy who only wanted to go to the bar to watch Queen’s Park Rangers play. It’s a Championship team. So I kind of just became a fan of them by default.”

Max has stayed loyal to the team ever since, and because he had “nothing else to do,” the first few months he spent living in Malta with only a British QPR fan for company, he spent a lot of time sitting in bars, drinking beer, and watching football.

“We watched every single game that season,” he laughs. “We went to the same exact bar and watched the game. It was also a good introduction to having a British friend.”

I nod knowingly, well aware of the necessity to muster a passion for football and a taste for Heineken when socializing with the Brits. Max didn’t know it at the time, but those misspent evenings in Malta would turn out to be instrumental to his journey into SportFi and the evolution of the Chiliz chain.

Finding a product market fit for sports

Officially on the scene since 2018, Chiliz is one of the most established and enduring players in the space. When I point this out, Max quickly emphasizes that Chiliz is a mature entity “only in crypto terms,” and not compared to any other business or industry.

“People refer to us as a ‘Dino coin’ or a dinosaur project… I mostly just find it funny. I don’t know what it says about an industry where surviving as a business for seven years, only five of them live, is considered some sort of Hall of Fame achievement of longevity.”

It’s easy to forget the rest of the world exists when you’re deep in the crypto rabbit hole, I say, and he laughs, “Yeah, it’s like, congratulations, you’re still here.”

Maybe it’s the incomparable pace of the industry that makes the years feel like decades and the weeks more like months, or the disproportionate number of scandals, rug pulls, and hacks. There’s also the 90% of ICOs that failed since Chiliz’s launch making the fact that we’re seated here today seem more impressive than it is. In any case, longevity is more the exception than the rule.

“We’ve been through the same cycles as everyone else, and yet we’ve managed to survive, and I wouldn’t say just survive. We’ve been able to keep a user base and keep liquidity, interest, and activity in the tokens.”

Chiliz has evolved from a permissioned chain focusing on token membership experiences through the user-facing Socios.com into the top decentralized Layer 1 blockchain, pioneering the SportFi sector with 2 million unique wallet addresses to date.

“Socios went a lot more viral than we anticipated,” Max admits. “Chiliz as a brand became very viral for a while in 2021, when fan tokens blew up during the pandemic, but we wanted to build it almost as a proof of concept to prove that there is a product market fit for sports.”

The real value of branded fan tokens

While it’s not Chiliz’s main USP, the fact that Socios is powered by blockchain isn’t abstracted either. It’s “very overt” that users interact with the blockchain when using Socios.com.

“We never tried to abstract away the crypto experience,” he says. “To my mind, we’re still the only project that tried to create a centralized DAO with a voting and rewards experience with fungible tokens, because we believed that’s what would scale. That’s what could pivot in case we realized nobody wanted to vote on team decisions, or people just wanted a staking experience instead of a token-gated engagement experience.”

Max explains that with an “essentially generic asset” like branded fan tokens, the uniqueness and utility come more from the team’s own elbow grease than anything inherently technical.

“The real value of Chiliz comes from the platform infrastructure, and the logistics and customer service teams that take care of users, collect tickets and merchandise, and all that. All of that you can change very readily. You can essentially plug the token from one use case into another in case it doesn’t work.”

I recall an earlier conversation with Tezos co-founder Arthur Breitman, who told me that one of the keys to Tezos’ endurance was its adaptability and the ability to change as the cycles and narratives require.

“We assumed [the ability to adapt] wouldn’t be the case—either in terms of flexibility or scalability—if we just did an NFT collection, and I still believe that.”

Keeping it simple with experiences money can’t buy

From exclusive limited edition NFTs to meetings with the players, what are some of the most popular experiences fans can buy with the branded tokens?

“When we started out, we were being very fancy. We had meet-and-greet experiences, even flying with the team on their charter plane to go to the game and come back. These are cool, but obviously not scalable. We tried digital merchandise, rewards, and Zooms to make sure that remote fans who couldn’t fly to do anything experiential would have something to get.”

Yet, over the years, the Chiliz team realized they were “overcomplicating things” unnecessarily. At the end of the day:

“People just want tickets. They just want those money-can’t-buy experiences of going to league final games, Champions League games, and big games for the team. When you talk about the last mile for a fan in terms of feeling like they have what they want, it’s just going to see the team play. So we focused on scaling that out, we gave away 12,000 tickets last season.”

Beyond discovering that “launching a Layer 1 is hard” and competing with highly speculative products takes some work, Max has learned that keeping it simple, about the love of the sport and the passion of the fans, is Chiliz’s most important ingredient.

The pain of losing an $80 million investment

When fan tokens and experiences skyrocketed in 2021/2022, Chiliz was on the cusp of unlocking the largest sports market in the world, investing over $80 million to make it happen. Then FTX collapsed, dragging much of the crypto space down with it, and slamming the door on Chiliz’s major league ambitions.

“We partnered with a majority of the NBA, 28 NBA teams. We partnered with 13 NFL teams, half of the NHL, and the entirety of the MLS. We were very close to actually launching both Socios as a product and fan tokens in the North American market for all those leagues and all those teams, which would have required doubling the size of the business and overhead.”

Yet life had other plans, and the hostile regulatory environment created by the FTX collapse and the reputational damage to crypto it caused pulled the rug from under Chiliz’s feet.

“FTX touched the sports business in an outsized way because of how much money they had spent on stadium rights, sponsoring Major League Baseball, and lobbying the U.S. government. Crypto became, in Washington and in the sports world, an extremely reputationally toxic topic. It was a big stain on our industry.”

Despite all the work “grinding to a halt,” in the aftermath of the crash, the relationships Max and Chiliz’s founder and CEO, Alex Dreyfus, fostered continued to grow.

“All those leagues continued to like us. They always considered us the adults in the room because we never came with bombastic financial guarantees or promises of how much money people would make. The business model just seemed to make sense to everyone. But they simply said, call us in two to five years. Call us whenever the administrations change or the SEC changes, because we can’t touch this.”

“We spent the next two years cleaning up all those contracts and paying off all our past dues for nothing. It was very painful financially and in terms of just business growth.”

The ‘right time’ to re-enter the U.S. market

With the about-turn in U.S. politics, what are Max’s thoughts about the Trump administration, and how does a thawing regulatory climate stateside affect Chiliz’s potential for growth?

“I truly believe—and Alex believes as well—that the future of our business is the U.S. The biggest sports market in the world is the U.S. market. The biggest entertainment market is the U.S. market, and we invested a lot in entering the U.S. market.”

On the weekend of Trump’s inauguration, he and Alex flew to D.C. to start meeting with people again and find out what the change in administration meant.

“More than anything, we wanted to start asking how this affects us. Does this mean we can start coming back? And over the months after that, it became more and more overwhelmingly clear that this is the right time to re-enter. So we started actively talking to the leagues and teams.”

In fact, Alex was in Washington just a week and a half ago to meet with the SEC, he says, and sit down with Bo Hines in the White House, the 29-year-old former football player on Trump’s crypto policy team under ‘AI and Crypto Czar’ David Sacks.

“We decided we were finished licking our wounds. $80 million is a lot to lose in terms of investment, but at the end of the day, it wasn’t our fault. The thing that hurt us the most is that we failed before we even started, that we weren’t able to launch a product.”

When can we expect Chiliz to try again, launch its winning product, and take the American sports market by storm? He shrugs his shoulders. “I’m no oracle,” he smiles…

“But I think that will probably be within the next 12 months because all the discussions we’ve been having with the SEC and the folks focusing on crypto in the White House have been very productive. I think the administration is ready to start opening the doors to crypto in a controlled way…”

…And the Chiliz team is poised at the starting line, just waiting for the gun.

Mentioned in this article
Latest Alpha Market Report
]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/talking-beers-bars-and-80-million-losses-with-sportfi-pioneer-chilizs-max-rabinovitch/feed/ 0 38277 Max is ditching the rebrand and going back to HBO Max https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-is-ditching-the-rebrand-and-going-back-to-hbo-max/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-is-ditching-the-rebrand-and-going-back-to-hbo-max/#respond Thu, 15 May 2025 02:09:13 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-is-ditching-the-rebrand-and-going-back-to-hbo-max/

What you need to know

  • Max is ditching the “Max” name and going back to HBO Max this summer—less than two years after switching it up.
  • This will be the second time the service has changed its name in just three years—first launched as HBO Max in 2020, replacing HBO Now and separate from HBO Go.
  • The company is focusing on high-quality TV over a massive library.

Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that Max is getting its old name back. The streaming service is heading back to being called HBO Max, like it never left.

Just two years after ditching the HBO Max name, it’s coming back. At Wednesday’s Upfront event, the company confirmed the switch will happen this summer.

The upcoming name change marks the platform’s second identity crisis in just three years. Back in May 2020, when it was still under WarnerMedia, the streaming service launched as HBO Max, replacing HBO Now (its standalone streaming option since 2014) while keeping it separate from HBO Go (its old cable-authenticated VOD service that’s since been retired).

“More content” wasn’t the answer

At launch, WarnerMedia promised HBO Max would deliver everything HBO has to offer and then some.

HBO Max also packed in content from the rest of WarnerMedia’s lineup, including DC Comics, Cartoon Network, and more. Still, the real hook was being able to stream HBO’s top-shelf lineup without needing cable.

HBO Max and Discovery Plus logos side by side

(Image credit: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)

When Max ditched the HBO name in 2023, it left everyone scratching their heads. Suddenly, apps on platforms like Google TV showed up as just “Max,” confusing subscribers who wondered where their HBO content went.

Warner Bros. Discovery claimed that the goal was to broaden the brand’s appeal beyond just HBO’s prestige TV crowd. No more HBO in the name meant the service could push reality shows, kids’ content, and blockbuster movies without feeling tied to HBO’s highbrow reputation.

A lesson in brand loyalty

Turns out, viewers weren’t shy about hating the name change. Despite Warner Bros. Discovery’s grand plans, dropping HBO rubbed fans the wrong way, and many saw it as ditching the prestige that made the platform special in the first place.

Now, the company is course-correcting. Instead of chasing a “quantity over quality” approach with a sprawling library of random content, it’s doubling down on high-end, must-watch TV.

Bringing back the HBO name is a key move in Warner Bros. Discovery’s plan to grow its global subscriber base. The company believes that reintroducing the HBO brand on Max will make it crystal clear to subscribers what kind of high-quality content they can expect.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-is-ditching-the-rebrand-and-going-back-to-hbo-max/feed/ 0 36286 Max severity RCE flaw discovered in widely used Apache Parquet https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-severity-rce-flaw-discovered-in-widely-used-apache-parquet/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-severity-rce-flaw-discovered-in-widely-used-apache-parquet/#respond Thu, 03 Apr 2025 23:46:07 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-severity-rce-flaw-discovered-in-widely-used-apache-parquet/

Apache

A maximum severity remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability has been discovered impacting all versions of Apache Parquet up to and including 1.15.0.

The problem stems from the deserialization of untrusted data that could allow attackers with specially crafted Parquet files to gain control of target systems, exfiltrate or modify data, disrupt services, or introduce dangerous payloads such as ransomware.

The vulnerability is tracked under CVE-2025-30065 and has a CVSS v4 score of 10.0. The flaw was fixed with the release of Apache version 1.15.1.

It should be noted that to exploit this flaw, threat actors must convince someone to import a specially crafted Parquet file.

Severe threat to “big data” environments

Apache Parquet is an open-source, columnar storage format designed for efficient data processing. Unlike row-based formats (like CSV), Parquet stores data by columns, which makes it faster and more space-efficient for analytical workloads.

It is widely adopted across the data engineering and analytics ecosystem, including big data platforms like Hadoop, AWS, Amazon, Google, and Azure cloud services, data lakes, and ETL tools.

Some large companies that use Parquet include Netflix, Uber, Airbnb, and LinkedIn.

The security problem in Parquet was disclosed on April 1, 2025, following a responsible disclosure by its finder, Amazon researcher Keyi Li.

“Schema parsing in the parquet-avro module of Apache Parquet 1.15.0 and previous versions allows bad actors to execute arbitrary code,” warned the short bulletin published on Openwall.

“Users are recommended to upgrade to version 1.15.1, which fixes the issue.”

A separate bulletin by Endor Labs highlights the risk of CVE-2025-30065 exploitation more clearly, warning that the flaw can impact any data pipelines and analytics systems that import Parquet files, with the risk being significant for files sourced from external points.

Endor Labs believes the problem was introduced in Parquet version 1.8.0, though older releases might also be impacted. The firm suggests coordinated checks with developers and vendors to determine what Praquet versions are used in production software stacks.

“If an attacker tricks a vulnerable system into reading a specially crafted Parquet file, they could gain remote code execution (RCE) on that system,” warns Endor Labs.

However, the security firm avoids over-inflating the risk by including the note, “Despite the frightening potential, it’s important to note that the vulnerability can only be exploited if a malicious Parquet file is imported.”

That being said, if upgrading to Apache Parquet 1.15.1 immediately is impossible, it is suggested to avoid untrusted Parquet files or carefully validate their safety before processing them. Also, monitoring and logging on systems that handle Parquet processing should be increased.

Although no active exploitation has been discovered yet, the risk is high due to the flaw’s severity and the widespread use of Parquet files in big data applications.

Administrators of impacted systems are recommended to upgrade to Parquet version 1.15.1, which addresses CVE-2025-30065, as soon as possible.

Red Report 2025

Based on an analysis of 14M malicious actions, discover the top 10 MITRE ATT&CK techniques behind 93% of attacks and how to defend against them.

]]> https://earlybirdsinvest.com/max-severity-rce-flaw-discovered-in-widely-used-apache-parquet/feed/ 0 28869 Best iPhone 16 cases 2025: Protection for 16, Plus, Pro & Max https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-iphone-16-cases-2025-protection-for-16-plus-pro-max/ https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-iphone-16-cases-2025-protection-for-16-plus-pro-max/#respond Sun, 09 Mar 2025 05:08:19 +0000 https://earlybirdsinvest.com/best-iphone-16-cases-2025-protection-for-16-plus-pro-max/

The first thing you should do after buying a new iPhone 16, be it an iPhone 16 Plus, Pro or Max, or the latest iPhone 16e, is to admire it and then swiftly cover it up. Buy yourself an iPhone 16 case to protect your precious mobile after splashing a ton of cash on it, and add some style to make your new handset more personal.

Cases come in more shapes and size and with more functionality than you’d believe. We have hand tested the best to find the perfect case for your iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16e, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max.

iPhone 16 case: Protection

The most common causes for accidental smartphone damage are: dropping your phone on the ground, it falling from a pocket or bag, or it being knocked off a table. The main results of such phone accidents are cracked and scratched screens, followed by chipped corners and sides. In fact, research shows that within 10 weeks of purchase, half of all new phone users will drop their handset. D’oh!

Even a basic phone case will offer some protection against such everyday drops and knocks, and some are built to withstand more catastrophic accidents. A few years ago, such ultra-protective cases meant you’d be carrying around something the size and weight of a brick, but modern materials mean that protective cases can be relatively slim and light. Clever design and tough-but-thin materials such as Kevlar and Graphene are key to the levels of robustness—but it remains the case that the bulkier the case, the more protection it will offer as long as it is also clever and made of the right stuff.

Let’s face it the iPhone is basically made front and back of glass—even if it is a new version of Ceramic Shield that Apple claims is “two times tougher than any smartphone glass”—and glass dropped on the floor usually ends in despair.

Look for raised edges (known as a bezel) around the screen that will protect it from drop cracks and scratches—it lands on these edges and not the fragile screen. Another point of obvious weakness is the camera lens area, and you should go for a case with a raised edge around that part, too, in case the phone lands that side down. Where we have the exact dimensions, we have included this information in our case reviews below.

Look for button covers—in metal or plastic. Some cases prefer cutouts but may offer less protection as a result.

The iPhone 16’s new Camera Control on the right side of all the iPhone 16 models (except the 16e) is capacitive so it can’t be covered using standard materials in the same way as the other iPhone buttons can. In its own cases, Apple (and Apple-owned Beats) plus a growing roster of third parties such as OtterBox, ESR, dbrand, Benks and Torras (all reviewed below) utilize a piece of sapphire crystal coupled with a conductive layer to communicate finger movements—including taps, slides and swipes—to the button below.

iPhone 16 case: Style

Apple makes the iPhone a thing of sleek beauty and offers a small range of colors (exciting for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, but rather dull for the Pro and Pro Max, and black or white 16e). If you want to keep this Apple elegance while still protecting the phone, choose a clear case that won’t detract from the Apple designers’ art. If you want to add more personality—if only to distinguish your iPhone from those of your family, friends or colleagues—there are hundreds of designs to choose from. Some are quite beautiful, some fine art, and some I wouldn’t want to be seen with in a dark room.

And iPhone 16 cases come in many forms: wallet cases, cases that support bike and car mounts, phone pouches, sleeves, slings and cases with belt-clips. Here we keep adding the best we can find as they come in for testing.

iPhone 16 case: Fit

Ensure you choose the right case for your exact model so that it fits correctly over the buttons and camera lenses for uninterrupted use. Where possible we have linked to the buying pages for each model: iPhone 16 and 16e (6.1 inch), iPhone 16 Plus (6.7 inch), iPhone 16 Pro (6.3 inch) and iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9 inch).

Don’t think you can squeeze your new 16 model iPhone into a case for an older model. Sometimes a new iPhone is the same size as the previous model, but not the 16 unfortunately. Upgraders need a new case.

iPhone 16 case: magnetic wireless charging

Also make sure that the case is MagSafe compatible so that you can charge wirelessly with a MagSafe charger while your iPhone 16 stays in its case. So-called “clear” cases sadly require a huge white ring on their back to be compatible with MagSafe charging. Colored, patterned or leather cases hide their magnets better.

The entry-level iPhone 16e surprisingly doesn’t support MagSafe so this is less of a benefit for that model.

You can, of course, still charge via a USB-C cable—which will always be the fastest way to charge an iPhone—and an iPhone charger.

Best clear iPhone cases for iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max

If covering up Apple’s iPhone offends your inner Jony Ive, look for a clear, transparent case that keeps the iPhone’s looks as wonderful as they were straight out of the box.

1. Apple iPhone 16 Clear Case with MagSafe – Best clear iPhone 16 case

Apple iPhone 16 Clear Case with MagSafe – Best clear iPhone 16 case

Pros

  • Made by Apple
  • Shows off iPhone’s color

Cons

  • Basic protection
  • Expensive

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 29g
  • Camera edge: 2mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Covered
  • Colors: Clear

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

This simple, rigid iPhone 16 protective case from Apple is thin and light, and by design, it doesn’t disguise the color of your iPhone 16 that you chose when you purchased it. Why pick out a Pink or Desert Titanium iPhone 16 Pro Max, only to cover it up in a black plastic case or something with badly drawn flowers on it? With Apple’s Clear case, you get decent protection without ruining the look of the phone.

(If you want a black case or flowery pattern instead of Apple’s small palette of colors, we have plenty for you to choose from lower down this feature.

The Apple Clear Case is made from a blend of optically clear polycarbonate and other flexible materials, with a scratch-resistant coating on both the inside and outside. While it’s more protective than silicone cases and features a robust-looking 2mm camera lip, you can find tougher cases, which we have reviewed below. There is one part of the case that isn’t clear—the white MagSafe ring on the back.

As with all the Apple cases, the Camera Control is covered with a capacitive button that allows for finger taps and gestures without compromising on protection. The bottom of the case is a large cutout, however, leaving the USB-C port, speakers and microphone exposed.

At 29g it’s super light, and while the rigid case adds a little bulk, it’s worth a little compromise for that layer of protection. All materials and coatings are optimized to prevent yellowing over time.

There are also cheaper clear cases, which we have also tested for you. But the Apple badge is a sure sign of quality, as you’d expect.

The colors on the new iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models aren’t as exciting as the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, though, so we wouldn’t blame you for deciding on something more joyful.

Apple is not yet selling its Clear Case for the entry-level iPhone 16e.

2. ESR Zero Clear Case for iPhone 16 – Best budget clear iPhone 16 case

ESR Zero Clear Case for iPhone 16 – Best budget clear iPhone 16 case

Pros

  • Shows off iPhone’s color
  • Flexible
  • Affordable

Price When Reviewed:

$15.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 27g
  • Raised edge: 1mm
  • Camera edge: 0.7mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Clear

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

If you want basic protection for your new iPhone 16, the clear ESR Zero Clear Case has a 1.2mm front edge to protect the screen and a smaller-than-most 0.7mm camera guard. It’s made from a crystal-clear polymer, which ESR claims resists yellowing for longer than cheaper cases.

It is wireless compatible so you don’t need to flip the case off to charge wirelessly.

ESR also makes other less flexible but tougher clear cases, such as the iPhone 16 Air Armor Clear Case with better drop protection and AirGuard corners.

The iPhone 16 Pro Classic Hybrid Case has a tough scratch-resistant acrylic back and is available in a Shimmer effect that adds a little more excitement and personality to your average clear case.

The iPhone 16 Classic Hybrid Case with Stash Stand, which features military-grade protection and a handy built-in kickstand for stable viewing, is reviewed below.

These clear alternatives add a little more weight and cost but are recommended for their extra protection and features.

3. Totallee Super Thin Case for iPhone 16 – Slimmest, lightest hard clear iPhone 16 case

Totallee Super Thin Case for iPhone 16 – Slimmest, lightest hard clear iPhone 16 case

Pros

  • Slimmest clear case
  • Lightest case

Cons

  • Basic protection
  • MagSafe costs more

Price When Reviewed:

From $35

  • MagSafe compatible: Optional
  • Weight: 8g
  • Button covers: Covered
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Clear, Frosted Clear, Frosted Black, Frosted Red, Frosted Green, Frosted Navy Blue

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

This is the slimmest (0.5mm) iPhone 16 case we have tested and—by a long way—the lightest at just 8g. Totallee claims the case weighs 0.2oz, which is 3g but our scales weighed it at 8g, which could just be a failing of our scales. In either case, even 8g is barely noticeable.

Even at this weight, there are button covers, and a cutout for the Camera Control.

There is a clear version and a similar Frosted Clear model, plus a bunch of other frosted colors to choose from. Note that you have to pay a little more for the MagSafe-compatible versions, which no doubt add a little weight and thickness in parts.

4. ESR iPhone 16 Classic Hybrid Case with Stash Stand – Best clear iPhone 16 case with stand

ESR iPhone 16 Classic Hybrid Case with Stash Stand – Best clear iPhone 16 case with stand

Pros

  • Shows off iPhone’s true color
  • Built-in kickstand

Price When Reviewed:

$22.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 41g
  • Raised edge: 1.2mm
  • Camera edge: 0.7mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout or Covered

Colors: Clear, Clear/Black, Clear/Blue, Clear/Pink, Clear/Green, Clear/Gray

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

A more functional clear option is ESR’s Classic Hybrid Case with Stash Stand, available for all models of the iPhone 16 family. Make sure you choose your exact model.

It is transparent, aside from the required giant MagSafe icon, and more affordable than the Apple clear case. The kickstand—otherwise hidden in the camera ring—is an added bonus, working in both landscape and portrait modes.

The metal stand is an extra camera guard when not in use. ESR even suggests you can use it to carry your iPhone on your finger when your hands are full. If so, you’ll be interested in the protection it offers if it slides off your finger…

There’s the usual tough talk of military-grade protection, with the case featuring shock-absorbing AirGuard corners and a 0.7mm camera lip. At 40g, it’s one of the heavier clear cases, which is caused by the handy metal kickstand.

An option with covered Camera Control is available, as is one with just a cutout.

5. Casetify clear Impact and Bounce Cases for iPhone 16 – Most customizable clear iPhone 16 case

Casetify clear Impact and Bounce Cases for iPhone 16 – Most customizable clear iPhone 16 case

Pros

  • Shows off iPhone’s true color
  • Protection level options
  • Built-in kickstand option

Price When Reviewed:

From $72

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 45g
  • Raised edge: 1.4mm
  • Camera edge: 2mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Clear

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

One of our favorite clear options is Casetify’s Impact and Bounce cases, which are both available for all models of the iPhone 16 family. Casetify offers these cases in a selection of protection levels and handily shows you what each case will look like depending on the color of your iPhone.

It is solidly built and feels robust, offering a minimum of 6.6ft (2m) drop protection up to 32.8ft (10m) if you choose the Ultra Bounce Case. It’s one of the first clear cases that fits the new iPhone 16e.

For a little extra outlay, the Impact Case can be ordered with an integrated stand, otherwise hidden in the camera ring.

The case edges aren’t clear because they feature extra-protective EcoShock or TesseLock designs. On one side there are sockets to easily attach phone charms.

Casetify

The Bounce Case boasts 21.3ft (6.5m) drop protection, while the Ultra Bounce promises an incredible 23.8ft (10m). The more protection, sadly the less of the original phone can be seen even in a clear case, but most of the shock absorption on the Bounce case family protrudes from the corners.

6. Rokform Crystal Case iPhone 16 – Most protective clear iPhone 16 case

Rokform Crystal Case iPhone 16 – Most protective clear iPhone 16 case

Pros

  • Shows off iPhone’s color (mostly)
  • Robust protection

Cons

  • Not entirely transparent
  • Not MagSafe compatible
  • Heavy

Price When Reviewed:

$69.99

  • MagSafe compatible: No
  • Weight: 75g
  • Raised edge: 2mm
  • Camera edge: 1mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Clear with black trim

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

For those who want to see and show off their iPhone’s original coloring, but still gain maximum protection, Rokform offers its Crystal Case for the iPhone 16 family. This is more solid looking than even the Casetify Ultra Bounce reviewed above.

As you’d expect, that protection comes at the price of some bulk and heft. It’s not fully clear because its black sides, edges and corners are made from a military-grade polycarbonate and TPU combination to absorb shocks from drops and falls.

At present, the Rokform cases are too thick to work with all MagSafe chargers so you will likely need to remove your phone from the case to charge it wirelessly. The company is planning a thinner version, and we’d recommend waiting for that MagSafe-compatible version if you want accessible wireless charging.

The case also features the Rokform’s famous twist-lock and magnetic mounting system for bike, motorcycle and car mounts. If you’re going biking with iPhone on your handlebars, a super-protective case is a must.

Rokform does ship internationally, but you’ll need to check the fees depending on your region, and remember that customs charges also vary by country.

7. Incase Slim Case for MagSafe for iPhone 16

Incase Slim Case for MagSafe for iPhone 16

Pros

  • Shows off iPhone’s true color
  • Dedicated lanyard loop

Price When Reviewed:

$39.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Cutout
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Clear, Clear/Black, Clear/Deep Space Blue, Clear/Blush Pink, Clear/Highland Green

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

This hardshell iPhone 16 case is similar to the Apple Clear Case, although with a cutout for the Camera Control rather than leaving it covered.

While it looks almost invisible—except for the necessary white MagSafe area— this case, made from recycled polycarbonate and TPU, still offers 8-foot drop protection with corner air pockets.

The sides and buttons feature a frosted texture for enhanced grip. Also included is a handy dedicated lanyard loop.

The straight clear Incase Slim Case for MagSafe is joined by shaded models in four subtle color ways.

Best-looking iPhone cases for iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max

While some will prefer a clear case to keep their iPhone’s natural color, others are easily bored and want a splash of difference, from plain new colors, through pretty or cool patterns, to fully customizable designs. We’ve counted hundreds of designs on offer, so there must be something here for you and your iPhone 16.

1. Apple iPhone 16 Silicone Case with MagSafe – Popular, Apple-branded colorful case range

Apple iPhone 16 Silicone Case with MagSafe – Popular, Apple-branded colorful case range

Pros

  • Made by Apple
  • Wide vibrant color range

Cons

  • Not as protective as others
  • Expensive

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 30g
  • Button covers: Silicone
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Covered
  • Colors: Star Fruit, Ultramarine, Lake Green, Fuchsia, Stone Gray, Plum, Black, Denim

Apple: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Amazon: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

The smooth Apple Silicone case is a classic, popular protective iPhone covering—available in the widest range of colors with eight to choose from. There’s enough choice here to satisfy most people, but if you prefer to see the color of the iPhone itself, look to a clear case; see above.

Apple pretty much threw out all its lovely Silicone colors from the iPhone 15 (Guava, Orange Sorbet, Winter Blue, Black, Storm Blue, Clay. Light Pink, Cypress, Sunshine, Pink, Soft Mint, Light Blue) and dreamt up a whole new bunch, many of which are poppy and vibrant.

It is as protective as you need for everyday calamities except big falls—if you want ultra protection, look to our best protective cases reviewed further down. If you are prone to letting your phone slip out of your hand, look for cases made from TPU, Kevlar or Graphene.

It is made with a soft-touch, almost silky 55% recycled silicone material. Inside, the lining is soft microfiber to protect the iPhone itself from scratches.

Apple has added a silicone button to the Action button but left the new Camera Control button covered up with a conductive layer to communicate finger movements to the control—at the time of writing, only the OtterBox iPhone 16 case has anything similar with most other cases using a simple cutout for the Camera Control.

Apple has somehow engineered a little screen animation when you place the iPhone inside the Silicone Case, which is a nice—if otherwise not very useful—touch.

Aside from the colors and the attention to detail, people flock to this Apple case apart because it’s made by Apple and has the famous logo on the back. You can’t go wrong buying an Apple-made case, but you can find more options elsewhere.

2. Casetify iPhone 16 Case – Best custom iPhone 16 cases

Casetify iPhone 16 Case – Best custom iPhone 16 cases

Pros

  • Many customization options
  • Protection levels

Price When Reviewed:

From $62

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes (where stated)
  • Weight: 69g (Ultra Case)
  • Raised edge: 1.4 to 1.6mm
  • Camera edge: 2 to 3.8mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Cutout
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Multiple customization options

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Amazon: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

While the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus colors have some panache, the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max iPhones are a bit metal bachelor pad in our opinion. To add some fun you need a non-clear case, and if you want to impose your own personality then look for customization options.

The most customizable range of iPhone 16 cases we’ve seen are from Casetify, where you can mix and match colors, patterns, prints, artists, and personalization options, as well as several levels of protection.

Prices vary and rise depending on the protection levels, but for most you get a wide range of design options. The level of choice is almost overwhelming, and you’ll have fun choosing the case that looks just right for you. A new Harry Potter range of iPhone 16 cases and accessories has recently been added.

You can add a name or short word, plus add hearts and stars, fonts, and text colors if you desire. Some cases feature a pull-out stand, which is otherwise hidden in the camera ring.

Casetify also offers a range of protection levels: Impact (8.2ft drop protection, 4x MIL-STD-810G or 6.6ft and 3x with a ring stand), Bounce (21.3ft drop protection, 6x MIL-STD-810G), Ultra Bounce (Bounce corners, 32.8 ft. drop protection, 10x MIL-STD-810G) and, for the 16 Pro and Pro Max, Ultra (Ultra Bounce corners, 32.8 ft. drop protection, 10x MIL-STD-810G, 6-layered rugged protection).

The raised bezel to protect the screen can be either 1.4mm or 1.6mm, and the protective camera ring from 2mm to 3.8mm. The Impact Ring case features the tallest camera-protecting lip at 3.6mm, the biggest we’ve seen in our tests.

You’ll find all the customization options direct from Casetify—see the links above.

3. Casely iPhone 16 Classic and Bold Cases – Best iPhone 16 case for colorful protection

Casely iPhone 16 Classic and Bold Cases – Best iPhone 16 case for colorful protection

Pros

  • Optional protection levels
  • Design options

Price When Reviewed:

From $25

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 34g (Bold Case)
  • Raised edge: 3mm (Bold), 1.3mm (Classic)
  • Camera edge: 1.33mm (Bold), 0.75mm (Classic)
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Over 60 designs available

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Amazon: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

While not as customizable as the Casetify iPhone 16 cases, the range of Casely design options is almost overwhelming, including designs based on works by Impressionists Van Gogh and Monet. You could well end up buying more than one!

Aside from the 95+ designs, you can choose between the Classic and Bold case models for each type of iPhone 16. The Classic Collection is lighter and more flexible with a glossy finish, while the Bold Collection is more protective and comes with a matte finish.

The Bold models have ribbed sides, which adds real grip, making it less likely that you’ll drop your iPhone in the first place—but if you do there’s impressive 8-foot drop protection and a 3mm raised screen lip (only 1.3mm on the Classic), the highest we’ve tested. The camera edge could be a little higher, but we are big fans nonetheless.

Casely adds small shipping fees if bought direct—these are calculated at final checkout.

Uniquely Casely offers club membership where subscribers receive a new phone case every month, with exclusive members-only styles released each month. Users choose a style or Casely can send a surprise case.

4. dbrand Grip Case for iPhone 16 – Best grippy iPhone 16 case for cool designs

dbrand Grip Case for iPhone 16 – Best grippy iPhone 16 case for cool designs

Pros

  • Many cool design options
  • Camera Control cover
  • Tactile grippy sides

Price When Reviewed:

$59.90

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 45g
  • Raised edge: 1.5mm
  • Camera edge: 0.5mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Covered
  • Colors: Nearly 50 designs available

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

We love the drand Grip Case for several reasons. First, as the name suggests, it is supremely grippy but still slides from a pocket with ease. The sides feature gripped stripes on a textured frame and further ridged, easy-to-locate buttons. This should mean you are less likely to drop your iPhone unless you or someone else is really trying to make it happen.

Second, the screen has a tapered edge, allowing for easy edge-swipes along the center of the display with just a 0.4mm raised lip but a much more protective 1.5mm lip on the top and bottom. The camera lenses are protected with a 0.50mm lip but also features a “hooded” design around the entire camera housing, tapering both the rubberized rim and the rigid frame of the case to protect the cameras. This symmetrical design ensures that the camera protrusions don’t rock back-and-forth while sitting flat on a table surface.

Third, dbrand has now caught up with Apple and added a capacitive touch-enabled button with a built-in printed circuit board for localized touch actuation for the iPhone 16 family’s Camera Control. We expect more case manufacturers to add Camera Control buttons but dbrand should be congratulated as one of the first.

Finally, we appreciate the wide range of techy and weird designs, from Area 51, X-Ray, Toxic Waste and Solar Flare among many others.

5. Torras Ostand 360° Spin Fusion Case for iPhone 16

Torras Ostand 360° Spin Fusion Case for iPhone 16

Pros

  • 360-degree rotatable ring stand
  • Grippy frame

Price When Reviewed:

$45.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 34g
  • Raised edge: 1.5mm
  • Camera edge: 0.33mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout or Covered options
  • Colors: Dune-Desert Gold, Onyx, Ivory

Available for: All iPhone 16 models | iPhone 16e

Amazon: iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Torras has been making quality cases for the iPhone since version 13, and its speciality is the rotatable ring stand.

We tested the Ostand 360° Spin Fusion MagSafe Case (also known as the Ostand Spin Flagship) on an iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, but available for all models of the 16. The magnetic ring that gives it its name is embedded in the back. It can be extended out, tilted, and rotated through 360 degrees whereby it snaps neatly into place every quarter turn.

The case is built with a conductive zinc alloy that Torras claims ensures uninterrupted MagSafe charging. It feels gorgeous and slides easily from a trouser pocket unlike stickier silicone cases. The frame of the case is subtly textured to make it more grippy to help you avoid drops.

Torras makes an almost bewildering variants of the Ostand: the 360° Spin Fusion that we tested and a similar 360° Spin Stand (also known as the Ostand Spin Classic) that lacks some of the new styling, grip and protection but now offers a covered Camera Control button. The R Fusion has its hinge located within back compartment, allowing the full O-ring to rotate and hinge for different angles and offers a little more protection.

You can also forgo the rotatable ‘O’ stand and choose either a more traditional ‘P’ stand of ‘L’ stand that flips out from the camera edge.

Read our full

Torras Ostand 360° Spin Fusion MagSafe Case review

6. Decoded Silicone Stacks Case – Best-looking iPhone 16 silicone cases

Decoded Silicone Stacks Case – Best-looking iPhone 16 silicone cases

Pros

  • Wide vibrant color range
  • Two silicone styles

Cons

  • Low Screen and camera edge

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 50g (16 Pro)
  • Button covers: Metal
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: 14 colors

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

The Apple Silicone cases include some vibrant colors, but for the widest range and some delightful flourishes we prefer the Decoded range of Silicone cases.

The standard Silicone Core range has the widest selection of colors, but the Silicone Stacks models include an attractive raised effect on the back that set them apart from other silicone cases.

There’s a range of vibrant and cool colors. The Silicone Stacks model is available in the exquisitely named Tangerine Orange, Bubblegum Pink, Mist Green, Phantom Black, Stone Gray and Super Sonic Blue. The standard Silicone Core is in Air Blue, Blue Print, Jade Green, Lilac Purple, Popcorn Yellow, Phantom Black, Sandstone Pink and Stone Gray.

On top of the color and back-effect choices the cases boast metal buttons and a lovely silky soft touch that will have you stroking the case like the seats of a new car.

Drop resistance up to 1.2 meters is claimed, although we’d have preferred a little more screen and camera edge height.

7. Zagg Milan iPhone 16 cases – Find your style and protection

Zagg Milan iPhone 16 cases – Find your style and protection

Cons

  • Many color options U.S. only

Price When Reviewed:

$49.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Glitter, Floral, Geometric, Leopard, Iridescent

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Amazon: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

There’s a huge choice of colors and patterns in the Milan Snap range of iPhone 16 cases from Zagg.

There are iridescent, glitter, floral, and geometric designs, each available in a range of eye-catching colors. The slim, lightweight profile ensures a comfortable fit in your pocket or hand, while up to 93% post-consumer recycled materials underscores a commitment to sustainability

Zagg’s London Snap range is covered with a fabric finish in a variety of playful designs, including a glow-in-the-dark Maze model.

Note that outside of the U.S. the color range is much smaller but still includes some lovely looking designs.

8. Mous Limitless 6.0 Case for iPhone 16 – Wide range of material designs

Mous Limitless 6.0 Case for iPhone 16 – Wide range of material designs

Pros

  • High protection level
  • Design options

Cons

  • Low screen and camera edge

Price When Reviewed:

$74.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 42g (16 Pro)
  • Raised edge: 0.5mm
  • Camera edge: 0.5mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Walnut, Bamboo, Speckled Black, Black Leather, Aramid Fiber, Silver Pearl, Marine, Stone and Forest Green cases

Available for: All iPhone 16 models | iPhone 16e

The Limitless 6.0 is a range of iPhone 16 cases that mimics various materials, such as wood, pearl and leather on to its polycarbonate, TPU and TPE shell. We think this adds a certain gravity to the phone’s looks.

Protection level is high without making the case too bulky and the reinforced AiroShock impact-absorbing corner bumps are reasonably subtle. It has rippled grip ribs and side eyelets for wrist straps and phone slings.

There is also a range of Mous mounts for bikes, cars and motorbikes that work with the company’s Interlock Case.

The screen and camera edge height is a little lower than on most cases.

9. OtterBox Lumen and Figura – Best psychedelic iPhone 16 cases

OtterBox Lumen and Figura – Best psychedelic iPhone 16 cases

Pros

  • Unique edge-to-edge designs

Price When Reviewed:

$49.95

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 34g
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black, Green, Blue, Pink

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

OtterBox is a well-known accessory maker, particularly in its protective phone cases. It has one of the widest ranges of iPhone 16 case models, and is favored by Apple as one of the few case manufacturers it allows to sell on its store.

Here we highlight the Lumen and Figura case designs.

The Lumen Case for iPhone 16 is sleek and minimalist with a clear, scratch-resistant case with fun pops of color, and textured side grips, as well as raised edges protect camera and screen. Like the Apple cases it keeps the Camera Control covered, with a conductive layer to communicate finger movements.

The super-slim Figura Case features psychedelic patterns that are hydro-dipped by hand. The graphics envelop the case from edge to edge. The material is flexible with a soft touch. It now includes a limited edition case featuring a photo taken by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope of The Lagoon Nebula, an interstellar cloud in the Sagittarius constellation.

10. Wave Case for iPhone 16 – Best Sustainable iPhone 16 Eco Case

Wave Case for iPhone 16 – Best Sustainable iPhone 16 Eco Case

Pros

  • Biodegradable and plastic-free
  • Color options

Cons

  • Not all models are MagSafe compatible

Price When Reviewed:

From $34

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes (where stated)
  • Weight: 40g (16 Pro)
  • Raised edge: 2mm
  • Camera edge: 2mm
  • Button covers: Recycled materials
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black, Yellow, Turquoise, Pink, Khaki, Red, Blue, White

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

With the Wave range of biodegradable iPhone cases, you can protect your phone and the planet, reducing your plastic consumption. The plant-based phone cases are made from two commonly used biodegradable polymers. Known for its rigid and transparent properties PLA (Polylactic Acid) is derived from renewable resources such as wheat straw. PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) is a biodegradable copolyester that offers flexibility and durability. Together they make an eco-friendly material that works well for phone protection.

You can also add a recycled glass screen protector.

Despite being plastic-free the smooth but grippy Wave cases have “been “military grade” (MIL-STD 810) drop protection, shock-absorbing corners and feature a generous protective 2mm lip around the screen and camera—one of the tallest we have seen.

Not all sustainable products are boring—the Wave cases come in a wide range of bright colors and printed designs. The case material adds a natural fleck to the design.

The standard and Etched case designs aren’t MagSafe compatible but will charge wirelessly. However, you can pay a little more for an integrated magnet that makes the case MagSafe compatible, which we would recommend.

11. Beats iPhone 16 Case

Beats iPhone 16 Case

Cons

  • Cool inside but dull outside
  • Expensive

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 25g
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Covered
  • Colors: Night Black, Summit Stone, Flood Blue, Sunset Purple

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Amazon: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Remember when Beats was a hip brand? Now it’s owned by Apple and still makes some cool headphones, but its cases seem rather superfluous, offering little more than a glossy hardshell alternative to Apple’s much more fun but less protective Silicone iPhone 16 cases. It feels more like a colored version of the Apple Clear Case.

They do boast much more interesting bold interior accent colors, but these would have been better on the outside surely.

One benefit of being an Apple brand is that the Beats iPhone 16 cases also feature the sapphire crystal conductive layer that covers the Camera Control.

12. Latercase Thin Case for iPhone 16 – Thinnest, Lightest iPhone 16 case

Latercase Thin Case for iPhone 16 – Thinnest, Lightest iPhone 16 case

Pros

  • No-bulk minimalism
  • Thorough lens protection

Cons

  • Minimal screen edge
  • Cutouts rather than buttons

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 11g
  • Button covers: Cutout
  • Action button: Cutout
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black, Midnight, Coffee, Crimson, Willy Blue

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

This is the lightest and thinnest case we have tested for the iPhone 16 family. The Atom Soft Snap, reviewed below, is equally thin but isn’t a classic case as it doesn’t have any side or screen protection.

Weighing just 11g and measuring 0.6mm thin, the Latercase Thin Case is made with tough aramid fibers coated with a tactile slightly grippy matte finish.

It is too thin to protect your phone from nasty falls—the screen edge is barely there—but it will certainly prevent scratches and resist small-scale knocks and bumps.

This is a great case if you want to get some protection but with no discernible added bulk or weight.

13. Atom Studios Soft Snap for iPhone 16 – Thinnest iPhone 16 back cover

Atom Studios Soft Snap for iPhone 16 – Thinnest iPhone 16 back cover

Pros

  • No-bulk minimalism
  • Sustainably conscious materials

Cons

  • No screen or side protection

Price When Reviewed:

From $39.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 50g (Wood Fiber), 41g (Silicone)
  • Button covers: n/a
  • Action button: n/a
  • Camera Control: n/a
  • Colors: Space Grey, Ink Blue, Stone Beige and Carbon Black

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

The Soft Snap is not a “case” in the same form as most of the protectors reviewed here. It’s more of a protective back plate.

It maintains the thinness of the iPhone 16 by adding only protection and color to the phone’s back and camera lenses. The case pops on and off with a snap, as the name suggests, and its lack of bulk means it will slip into and out of your pocket with ease.

While its lightweight minimalism will appeal to the slim and thin iPhone enthusiasts, it’s not for the cautious. There is no raised—or indeed any—front lip or side protection but the case is compatible with separate screen protectors.

Soft Snap is made from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic with a soft touch coating, with an interior that is lined with recycled plush microfiber.

Atom Studios also offers a more traditional but still eco-friendly iPhone 16 case: the dual-material Split Wood Fiber Case that is part aluminum and part eucalyptus oil-infused wood fiber. This case does offer solid 10-foot drop protection, with a 1mm raised edge—lower than on some cases but enough to save a screen from a small fall. The Camera Control is a cutout.

Atom

Best protective iPhone cases for iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max

A case isn’t there just to make your iPhone look pretty. The best cases offer reasonable protection while adding as little bulk as possible by using the latest, strongest materials.

Kevlar is the material used to make bulletproof vests—it’s also known as Aramid Fiber. Graphene is even stronger. Zagg claims the graphene used in its Denali Snap case is “harder than a diamond, yet more elastic than rubber, and up to 200x stronger than steel”. That suggests a fall onto the pavement—or indeed off a cliff—might not be fatal for your phone.

Some protective iPhone cases go full out and don’t care about their bulk as long as they protect your iPhone from the biggest disasters that can befall it. We’ve tested protective iPhone 16 cases from the thin to the very thick.

1. Zagg Denali Snap Case for iPhone 16 – Best Protective iPhone 16 Case

Zagg Denali Snap Case for iPhone 16 – Best Protective iPhone 16 Case

Pros

  • Super protection level
  • Kickstand option
  • Color options

Price When Reviewed:

$59.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 52g (Denali Snap)
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black, Navy, Thyme

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Named after North America’s tallest mountain and boasting a claimed 16-foot (5m) drop protection (the highest we’ve seen), the dual-material Zagg Denali Snap is an ultra-protective iPhone 16 case that, surprisingly, is not as bulky as a boulder.

This is down to its Graphene-infused back plate. Graphene is the strongest material known to man—supposedly up to 200x stronger than steel. The case’s border features TPU. The camera lip isn’t as high as on some cases but it should protect the lenses when the phone is placed or dropped down flat.

Its rugged, textured finish adds a good grip, and when it’s not in your hand there’s an integrated metal kickstand that works in both landscape and portrait modes. It is constructed with up to 89% post-consumer recycled materials.

Zagg has a wide range of iPhone 16 cases, and its SoHo Snap, in a range of two-tone colors depending on which country you are shopping from. U.S. customers have the widest choice including a fetching Currant color, although only U.K. buyers can get their hands on the light blue version. It gains protection points as it also features a graphene-infused backplate with 10ft (3m) drop protection.

2. Benks ArmorPro Protective Case – Best Slim Protective iPhone 16 Case

Benks ArmorPro Protective Case – Best Slim Protective iPhone 16 Case

Pros

  • Nice woven kevlar design
  • Extremely protective but slim
  • Metal buttons on the ArmorPro

Cons

  • Buttons less protected on the ArmorAir.

Price When Reviewed:

$39.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 37g
  • Raised edge: 1mm
  • Camera edge: 2.7mm
  • Button covers: Metal
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout or Covered
  • Colors: Black with subtle variation options

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

The Benks ArmorPro offers great protection via its “3X military standard aerospace-grade 600D DuPont Kevlar fiber”—the same material that’s used in body armor and bulletproof vests, so it should be up to the job of protecting your phone when you drop it onto the pavement. It’s a woven fiber, giving it a slightly textured grippy feel, to keep the iPhone from falling out of your hand in the first place. With some cases that sometimes leads to a struggle to pull it quickly from a pocket but we didn’t find this to be a problem with the Benks Kevlar cases.

The metal frame on the back gives raised protection around the camera lenses—one of the best we’ve seen. The buttons on the sides are nicely solid in the TPU frame that offers superior shock resistance. It weighs 39g, which is light for a case offering such protection.

Benks also sells a lighter ArmorAir model that has exposed buttons and no TPU frame. The ArmorPro can withstand a 6-foot drop; the ArmorAir just 4ft. Add a touch of personality with the Aurora ArmorAir Case that features stripes of color meant to resemble the etherial northern lights.

The newer Benks Prestige ArmorPro Case has the same features plus a covered Camera Control.

Both are MagSafe compatible, and priced the same—although there are slight price differences with the back pattern options.

3. ESR iPhone 16 Cyber Tough Case with Stash Stand – Best budget protective iPhone 16 case

ESR iPhone 16 Cyber Tough Case with Stash Stand – Best budget protective iPhone 16 case

Pros

  • High protection level
  • Built-in kickstand
  • Color options

Cons

  • Slightly chunkier than others

Price When Reviewed:

$29.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 59g
  • Raised edge: 2.4mm
  • Camera edge: 0.7mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black, Light or Dark Blue, Pink, Light or Dark Green, Light Gray, Gold

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Along with the clear ESR cases reviewed above, the company sells a more protective Cyber Tough Case with Stash Stand for iPhone 16. Plus, Pro and Pro Max.

It looks the part, quite solid and slab-like but more flexible on the sides than the Rokform Rugged Case, see above. The integrated metal kickstand pulls out from the camera ring.

It is constructed with a three-layer design (TPU soft shell, TPE hard shell, and shock-absorbing Poron lining) that ESR claims can withstand drops from as high as 23 feet. The 2.4mm raised edge is one of the highest we’ve tested.

Unlike most macho protective cases, it’s available in a range of colors depending on the model of iPhone 16, including one in a fetching pink.

4. Smartish Gripzilla case for iPhone 16 – Grippy iPhone 16 case

Smartish Gripzilla case for iPhone 16 – Grippy iPhone 16 case

Pros

  • Grippy sides and finger grips
  • Personalization options

Price When Reviewed:

$29.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 45g
  • Raised edge: 1.5mm
  • Camera edge: 1mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black, Clear Black, Mountains, Striped, Wildflowers

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

While most cases protect from drops and falls, none is as grippy as the Smartish Gripzilla iPhone case that features special finger grooves along the textured sides that make it less likely for you to drop the phone from your hand in the first place. If you drop it, Smartish claims its air-pocket corners can withstand a drop from 6 feet, which should account for most non-giant-related accidents.

Slightly less grippy but still grippier than most cases, the Smartish Gripmunk case has the same textured sides for a firmer hold than you’ll get with a glossy case.

What is extra special about these Smartish cases is the ability to personalize the case back with a photo and text. This is easy to create on the Smartish website, uploading images and typing text until you have your perfect combination given the options available. For the Gripzilla case you are limited to the black case color, but you get further color options with the Gripmunk.

The company also sells an iPhone 16 case with a built-in wallet. The Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 2 can hold three credit or travel cards, and this part of the case can also work as a kickstand that lets you prop up your phone in landscape orientation. As with similar wallet cases, having the cards at the back of your phone case adds convenience but removes the wireless charging opportunity—for which you will need to remove your phone from the case.

5. Speck Presidio2 Grip Case – Grippy iPhone 16 case

Speck Presidio2 Grip Case – Grippy iPhone 16 case

Pros

  • Inverted grips and side ridges
  • Color choices

Price When Reviewed:

$49.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 41g (Presidio)
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Purple, Pink, Bone, Charcoal, Blue, Black

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

What’s better than impact-protection for your beloved iPhone? Not dropping the phone in the first place is better, that’s what. The Speck Presidio2 Grip MagSafe with ClickLock features no-slip inverted grips and tactile side ridges to create a strong grip.

Should the phone slide from your hand anyway, the case provides 13-foot drop protection via its Armor Cloud technology that includes a perimeter lined with air capsules that compress and suspend the phone like an airbag.

Note that we did find the case quite tricky to remove, so tight is it to the phone, but you shouldn’t need to take the phone out as it’s MagSafe friendly.

Speck also sells iPhone 16 cases without the drips and in different colors.

6. OtterBox Defender Pro for iPhone 16 – Grippy 3-part case

OtterBox Defender Pro for iPhone 16 – Grippy 3-part case

Pros

  • Grippable rubber edges
  • Three-piece design

Price When Reviewed:

$64.95

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 62g
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout

Colors: Black, Blue, Purple, Camo, Green, Pink

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

This OtterBox Defender Pro case for the whole iPhone 16 family is constructed (by you) from three protective pieces. Don’t make the same mistake as me and try to force your iPhone directly into the case—first you need to deconstruct it and then build it around your phone. This might seem a pain, but you can see the level of protection you are building around your precious new phone.

It features shock-absorbing corners that don’t stick out too much like on some ultra-protective cases. The final layer provides grippy sides and back to help prevent phone drops in the first place.

One feature lacking from most cases is a protective port cover to stop fluff and other debris entering the USB-C opening. I’ve had to make a couple of trips to the Apple Store to remove dust and dirt that I couldn’t find myself, so appreciate this feature.

OtterBox also offers a two-part Defender Pro XT that is slimmer but features most of the non-XT features.

Both models can be bought with a free holster that clips to belts or bags and can double as a kickstand.

7. Vena vArmor iPhone 16 Pro Holster Case – Best Protective iPhone 16 Case with belt holster

Vena vArmor iPhone 16 Pro Holster Case – Best Protective iPhone 16 Case with belt holster

Pros

  • Belt holster
  • Tough
  • Affordable

Price When Reviewed:

$39.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 75g
  • Raised edge: 1.8mm
  • Camera edge: 0.94mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Graphite Gray, Slate Blue

Available for: iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

The vArmor holster case for iPhone 16 pro and Pro Max feels reliably robust and its stealth looks make it seem fit for a modern battlefield or high-tech construction site. Even the repulsive buttons are slanted unlike on any other manufacturer’s cases. You’ll find the same on Vena’s vCommute case with wallet.

What distinguishes it from similar tough, cases such as the Rokform Rugged Case also reviewed here, is its detachable but sturdy Belt Clip Swivel Holster that can swivel 270 degrees. If you want to free the phone your pocket a belt clip can be a handy and practical solution. It can even be manipulated into a landscape or portrait kickstand. The holster can be placed over the iPhone screen or its back depending on your carrying needs.

It is made with dual-layer polycarbonate and TPU with corner guards that Vena claims can survive drops from above 8 feet. The case wraps round the iPhone’s camera lenses, and there’s a cover for the USB-C port to stop debris entering the phone and derailing wired charging.

The vArmor also beats the Rokform case with its support of MagSafe wireless charging.

8. Rokform Rugged Case – Most protective iPhone 16 Case with mounts and magnets

Rokform Rugged Case – Most protective iPhone 16 Case with mounts and magnets

Pros

  • Super protection level
  • Bike/Car mount system

Cons

  • Slightly chunkier than others
  • Not MagSafe compatible

Price When Reviewed:

$69.99

  • MagSafe compatible: No
  • Weight: 75g
  • Raised edge: 2mm
  • Camera edge: 1mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Cutout
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

If you want your iPhone case to shout “Protection!”, Rokform’s aptly named Rugged Case looks the business. This is the phone case that Judge Dredd might carry in his holster.

Like its clear-ish Crystal Case reviewed in our clear case section higher up, the Rugged Case features N52 Neodymium magnets that mean you can very securely clamp your encased iPhone onto any metal surface, plus Rokform’s RokLock twist-lock mounting system for twist-lock bike mounts, motorcycle mounts and car and golf-cart mounts.

The impact-resistant polycarbonate protective shell features reinforced corners and extra camera protection that makes it a little chunkier than standard cases but reassuringly so, and not ridiculous. It is more rigid than the Zagg Denali Snap case, reviewed above, which also features a slightly more raised lip around the camera.

In its current form it is sadly not compatible with MagSafe wireless charging, but a newer and slimmer version is in the works, promises the company. If wireless charging is something you require or desire while your iPhone 16 is still in the case, we’d recommend waiting for the upgraded version, which we will report here.

The Camera Control is a cutout rather than a button, but the Action button is now covered. The buttons are plastic rather than the metal found on some other cases.

Rokform claims the case can withstand drops of up to 6 feet (1.8m) due to its construction from a combination of high-impact polycarbonate and rugged TPU for impact resistance and cushioning.

The Rugged Case comes in black only, while the Crystal Case will show off the iPhone’s true body color.

9. Pitaka Military-Grade Protective Case for iPhone 16 – Slim Protective iPhone 16 Case

Pitaka Military-Grade Protective Case for iPhone 16 – Slim Protective iPhone 16 Case

Pros

  • Woven aramid fiber design
  • Smooth texture
  • Strong metal camera and button protection

Cons

  • Military-Grade Protective Case is iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max only

Price When Reviewed:

$79.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 33g
  • Raised edge: 0.85mm
  • Camera edge: 0.75mm
  • Button covers: Metal
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black/gray, Sunset, Moonrise

Available for: All iPhone 16 models

Pitaka has a range of cases for the iPhone family, but we are particular fans of the Military-Grade Protective Case (from $69.99) that, as its name suggests, meets military-grade drop test standards. Unlike many of the cases reviewed here it boasts metal side buttons, although the Camera Control is a cutout.

As with the other Pitaka cases, it is constructed from robust aerospace-grade aramid fiber (aromatic polyamide) blended with shockproof TPU sides. This tough material resists scratches, abrasions and exposure to chemicals. An added benefit is that this weave gives the case textured patterns that stand out from the crowd. Inside it is lined with soft Nappa leather to provide cushioning for the back of the phone.

It is also slim and lightweight unlike chunkier protective cases and slides in and out of a pocket with ease. At present, the Military-Grade Protective Case is available for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max only.

For all iPhone 16 models, the Pitaka Tactile Woven Case is thinner and even lighter (19.4g) and available in a series of woven designs, such as Sunset, Moonrise, Over The Horizon, and Milky Way Galaxy. There are also special versions, in collaboration with vintage fashion brand Aries, that incorporate Lumitex technology, which allows the case to self-illuminate in the dark after absorbing light energy. Designs include Alien, Credit Card, and NoProblemo.

For the ultra-minimalist, the Pitaka Ultra Slim Case (18-35g) is available in Black/Grey, Forest Green, and Ocean Blue.

Best leather iPhone cases for iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max

Apple made a deliberate move away from leather with its accessories at the launch of the iPhone 15 and has stuck to its vegan ways with the iPhone 16. Apple’s alternative was a micro twill called FineWoven—however, customers were quick to complain that it easily picked up stains from just about anything it come into contact with, and the company has rightly abandoned it for its new iPhone.

If you want a leather alternative we recommend the vegan leather MOFT MOVAS case, reviewed below.

But if you are happier with the real animal skin thing, there are some great leather cases to choose from, as you’ll find by reading on.

1. Mujjo Full Leather Wallet Case for iPhone 16 – Best leather iPhone 16 case with wallet card holder

Mujjo Full Leather Wallet Case for iPhone 16 – Best leather iPhone 16 case with wallet card holder

Cons

  • Cards prevent wireless charging

Price When Reviewed:

From $59

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes (without cards)
  • Weight: 35g (Full Leather Wallet Case)
  • Raised edge: 1mm
  • Button covers: Metal
  • Action button: Covered (Pro & Max)
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black, Dark Tan, Monaco Blue, Steel Blue, Livid Green, Green Smoke

Available for: All iPhone 16 models

Dutch designer Mujjo has been making some of our favorite leather Apple accessories for many years. It has four different cases available for the iPhone 16, three of them are crafted from premium leather and a new

Eager to win some green points, the company points out that sustainable “DriTan water-free leather tanning” is involved—this uses the moisture already present in the hides. The buttons, camera bump, microfiber lining, and polycarbonate inner shell are made from recycled plastic. All the cases feature machined-metal buttons, 1mm raised bezel and a metal rear camera bump for superior protection.

If you want a leather iPhone case with some extra benefits, the Mujjo Full Leather Wallet Case (for iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max) turns your iPhone into a physical as well as digital wallet. The leather card pocket can hold two or three bank, ID or travel cards. Note that the cards must be removed for wireless charging—even with cards removed, the magnetic connection is not as strong as with the cases that don’t include a wallet at the back, although it does still work with MagSafe chargers. To be fair, the same is true for all wallet-cases we tested. Available in Dark Tan, Black, or Monaco Blue.

The Mujjo Full Leather Case (all models except the 16 Plus) is a more classic leather case without the wallet at the back, with a machined-metal rear camera bump that protects lenses. It’s available in a range of colors depending on the iPhone model.

If you agree with Apple that leather is not for you, the Mujjo Maizcase is made with an Italian bio-leather, created with a blend of corn and other cereals and recycled polyester. It’s available in Steel Blue only.

The Mujjo iPhone 16 Pro Shield Case (for iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max) is designed to be super protective, as the name suggests, and is available for the two Pro models of the 16. Mujjo claims that drop protection is rated to 15 feet (5m), and it features an “ImpactCore internal bumper”. Take your choice of colors from Black or Steel Blue.

2. Woolnut Leather Case for iPhone 16

Woolnut Leather Case for iPhone 16

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 35g
  • Raised edge: 1.3mm
  • Camera edge: 1mm
  • Button covers: Metal
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black, Cognac, Green, Gray

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

We’ve long been fans of the simple, minimalist but luxury accessories from Swedish firm Woolnut. You’ll find them in our roundups of the best laptop sleeves and in previous collections of the best iPhone cases.

Woolnut hasn’t moved far with its Leather Case for iPhone 16, which looks much like the same for all the other iPhones since the 12. And why stray from a classic case?

The full-grain leather cover the slim polycarbonate and TPU frame is from Scandinavia, of course, and the interior features soft microfiber. The buttons are made from aluminum, not plastic as used on most cases.

The tapered cutout for Camera Control feels sensuous on the finger. Altogether a lovely, understated case.

3. Grams(28) MagSafe Leather Cases

Grams(28) MagSafe Leather Cases

Pros

  • Stylish
  • Debossed initials option

Price When Reviewed:

From $62

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 32g (16 Pro)
  • Raised edge: 1mm
  • Camera edge: 1mm
  • Button covers: Leather
  • Action button: Covered (Pro & Max)
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black, blue, green, burgundy and brown

Available for: iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

Grams(28) is a high-end luxury brand specializing in aesthetic but functional accessories made from high-quality leather sourced from Italy. It has three models of case for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max only. Non-Pro iPhone owners look elsewhere.

The Pebbled Leather Case has that classic textured leather grain pattern, made from Italian Pebbled Bovine Leather in Black, Navy and Dark Green.

The Snowflake Leather Case is made from Italian Vegetable Tanned Snowflake Leather—also known as pueblo leather—with a glossier rugged surface coming through after 90 days usage. It’s available in Black, Jeans and Tabacco colors.

The limited-edition Horween Leather Case is made from the iconic Horween Leather Company Chromexcel leather in Burgundy and Brown.

Each of these iPhone 16 cases are MagSafe compatible and feature a robust 360-degree TPE bumper and 1mm raised ridge above the screen and camera lenses—with 5-foot drop protection.

Uniquely, the company can personalize the case with a hand-debossing service that stamps your initials deeply into the leather’s surface.

4. MOFT Snap Phone Case MOVAS – Best vegan leather iPhone 16 case

MOFT Snap Phone Case MOVAS – Best vegan leather iPhone 16 case

Pros

  • Smooth texture
  • Vegan leather
  • Lanyard option

Price When Reviewed:

$49.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 34g
  • Raised edge: 1.3mm
  • Camera edge: 1mm
  • Button covers: Metal
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Jet Black, Taupe, Misty Cove, Cement, Earthen Beige

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

If you desire something from a more monochromatic palette, the minimalist MOFT Snap Case MOVAS for iPhone 16 offers a range of cool, muted color options.

The Snap Case is made from MOFT’s own MOVAS-P, a four-layer soft-touch vegan leather that the company claims is non-fading and fingerprint, scratch and stain resistant.

The side buttons are metal for better responsiveness and durability. The Camera Control is a cutout like on most of the non-Apple cases.

The raised front edge is 1.3mm, offering excellent screen protection, and the camera cutout is elevated by 1mm.

There is a special version that is compatible with a Phone Lanyard for hands-free use, priced separately at $29.99.

Best iPhone 16 cases with wallet

There are several great choices for iPhone 16 cases that feature built-in wallets. Scan the reviews above for some examples, such as:

Some include wallets that attach to the case magnetically and other have the wallet built in. Note that built-in wallets usually affect wireless charging, especially with cards inside. You’d need to remove the Smartish Wallet Slayer case to use wireless charging, for example.

1. Vena vCommute iPhone 16 Wallet Case

Vena vCommute iPhone 16 Wallet Case

Pros

  • Stores 3 cards
  • Solid build
  • Responsive buttons

Cons

  • Standard version is not MagSafe compatible

Price When Reviewed:

$49.99

  • MagSafe compatible: No
  • Weight: 71g (16 Pro)
  • Raised edge: 1.6mm
  • Camera edge: 1.6mm
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Gray-Black, Blue-Silver, Rose Gold-Red, Pastel Pink, Pastel Blue, Deep Purple

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

This is a solidly built but stylish wallet case for iPhone, which comes in two versions and multiple colors. In the standard Vena vCommute up to three cards can be stored inside the case, covered with a classy leather folding door that can also be used as a landscape kickstand.

Cards feel more secure here than sticking out of the back of the case or stored in a separate accessory that magnetically clamps to the back of the phone. The downside is that the standard version is not MagSafe compatible for wireless charging, even with the cards removed.

Hence the vCommute with a removable MagSafe-compatible wallet. Detach the wallet part and you can wirelessly charge the phone within the case. Just don’t forget to re-attach the wallet when you get up to leave your wireless charger!

2. Decoded iPhone 16 Leather Detachable Wallet Case – Best wraparound wallet case

Decoded iPhone 16 Leather Detachable Wallet Case – Best wraparound wallet case

Pros

  • 360 protective cover
  • Physical wallet

Cons

  • Still MagSafe compatible even with cards

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 119g (16 Pro)
  • Button covers: Metal
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Tan Brown, Navy Blue, Clay Beige, Black

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Most wallet iPhone cases place the card slots at the back, which can hamper wireless MagSafe charging. The Decoded Leather Detachable Wallet Case is more flexible. It’s actually two cases in one as the standard case magnetically clamps onto a full-grain Ecco leather fold-out wraparound that features the wallet card slots behind the front panel. The detachable wallet includes three card slots, plus storage for banknotes.

This front part offers double protection for the screen aside from the raised edge found on the case. There’s further magnetic magic on the folding closure. The case promises 1.2m drop protection, and the button covers are metal for further robustness and precise control.

The whole package is surprisingly slim for a full wraparound wallet. You could place the bare phone straight onto the wraparound cover, but you’d lose the 360-degree protection should the phone be dropped.

Decoded also offers a more traditional one-piece Leather Case, without the wallet wraparound part.

3. Ninja Labs Flex Pouch – Most stretchable wallet case

Ninja Labs Flex Pouch – Most stretchable wallet case

  • MagSafe compatible: No
  • Weight: 90g (16 Pro)
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Matcha, Lavender, Black

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

The unique Flex Pouch from Ninja Labs is for people who want to store more than three credit cards in their iPhone case wallet. Super stretchable, the silicone pouch can firmly hold as many objects as some of us have in our backpack pockets! It can keep a robust grip on your ID cards, cash, AirPods, pens, lighter and lipstick and not blink or tear—it is not recommended to store your keys or any other sharp objects in the pouch. Stuffed full the Flex Pouch might just about fit in a coat pocket.

Even if you just want to store a few cards, we found the Flex Pouch a tight hold. It is slightly wider at the top and tighter on the bottom. Once emptied, it pings back to its original flat form. With an AirPods case inside, you can use the case as a landscape stand.

The case itself feels robust and is available in three colors. Each of these can then have either an opaque or similarly colored pouch on the back.

Shipping is free $50 within the U.S. and worldwide shipping costs are calculated per country.

4. Bellroy Phone Case, 3 Card – Leather wallets built-in and magnetic

Bellroy Phone Case, 3 Card – Leather wallets built-in and magnetic

Pros

  • Wallet options
  • Clever kickstand

Cons

  • MagSafe requires phone or wallet removal

  • MagSafe compatible: No
  • Weight: 76g (16 Pro, Mod version)
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black, Sienna, Agave, Terracotta, Cobalt, Everglade, Ganache

Available for: All iPhone 16 models

Australian company Bellroy is perhaps more famous for its wallets than its phone cases, so it’s appropriate that we feature it here for its iPhone 16 cases that feature wallets, either built-in or attached magnetically.

There are two leather wallet case options. The Bellroy Phone Case – 3 Cards has an integrated wallet that cleverly unfolds to create a landscape kickstand.

The Bellroy Mod Phone Case + Wallet (16 Pro and 16 Pro Max only) can also hold three cards and can create a kickstand, but it is a separate piece that magnetically clamps to the back of the leather case. This means that you can easily detach it if you want to magnetically wireless charge your iPhone without removing it from the case, as you have to do with the Phone Case with built-in wallet. The two brown versions (dark ganache and tan Sienna) feature natty bold colors on the inside.

There are various color options depending on your iPhone 16 model and wallet case choice.

If you want to add just a separate magnetic wallet to your phone without the case, or with a different case, consider the Mujjo Full leather Magnetic Wallet for iPhone.

Best iPhone case with camera accessories

The iPhone 16 has a wonderful array of cameras but photography enthusiasts and professionals will hanker after fancier lenses and better grips. You can still make calls and use your favorite apps, but your phone photos will look even more sensational if you get the right gear for your phone.

1. ShiftCam Lens Cases – Best iPhone 16 case with camera lens mount

ShiftCam Lens Cases – Best iPhone 16 case with camera lens mount

Pros

  • Fit pro lenses and grips
  • Wide photography ecosystem

Price When Reviewed:

From $39.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 47g (16 Pro, Fabric version)
  • Button covers: Metal
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Clear, Fabric Stone, Fabric Midnight

Available for: All iPhone 16 models

Enhance your mobile photography to new heights using ShiftCam’s lens cases that connect with the S.Mount twist and lock system that is a secure and fast attachment for your choice of lenses. Available in two styles, Clear and Fabric, the case is compatible with Apple’s MagSafe technology the iPhone 16’s new Camera Control button. It features 2m drop protection and for outdoors users can be cleaned in a dishwasher. Each is lightweight and stylish.

You can select from a choice of individual LensUltra lenses, including 60mm Telephoto, 16mm Wide Angle, 10x Traditional Macro and 200° Fisheyes; and for filmmakers 75mm Long Range Macro, 1.33x Anamorphic and 1.55x Anamorphic. Prices start at $129.99 / £129.99. These are easy to mount on the special iPhone case, feel reassuringly heavy and have earned excellent reviews from better photographers than me.

The ShiftCam ecosystem also includes a range of ergonomic magnetic snap-on mobile battery grips (SnapStudio Light and SnapGrip Pro, from $89.99), inspired by pro digital cameras, that offer greater stability and a shutter button. turning every phone into a pro camera. The grip also includes a built-in 5000mAh battery power bank capable of delivering 20W charging. Apple sells an exclusive ShiftCam ProGrip Starter Kit for $149.95 / £129.95.

Best iPhone case with built-in keyboard

One of the joys of a smartphone is its lack of physical keyboard, which is why BlackBerry no longer makes phones. But … but… there are some benefits of ditching the virtual keyboard and freeing up valuable screen space after all.

1. Clicks case for iPhone 16 – Add a BlackBerry-like keyboard

Clicks case for iPhone 16 – Add a BlackBerry-like keyboard

Pros

  • Adds a physical 36-key keyboard
  • Access to iOS Shortcuts
  • Frees up screen space
  • Strong colors

Price When Reviewed:

From $139

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 70g (Pro); 80g (Pro Max)
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Surf (blue), Onyx (black), Spice (ochre)

Available for: iPhone 16 all models

It seems an abomination to make the iPhone act and even look like a BlackBerry but there are people out there who want to have a physical keyboard attached to their iPhone.

Actually, it’s not as mad as it sounds. Not using the screen keyboard can give you back nearly half your usable screen, and it allows navigation within and between apps with fewer swipes and taps by turning each of its 37 keys into customizable action buttons for over 100 shortcuts, leveraging iOS’s native Shortcuts app and accessibility settings that are otherwise inaccessible to iPhone users.

Using the Clicks Keyboard app users can personalize their keyboard experience with features such as brightness levels, dim timeouts, battery optimization options, alt lock, and caps lock. You can even create an Android-like Back button. Additionally, the shortcuts can unlock advanced automations such as calling Uber, emailing meeting updates, and controlling smart home devices.

The Clicks version for iPhone 16 lacks some of the iPhone 15 Clicks crazy colors, but the new ochre color is still quite out there. The new iPhone 16 version features a refined keyboard with new contoured ergonomically designed keys that offer an elevated typing experience with a lighter touch, plus brushed metal side keys, a microfiber lining and a new enclosure. Clicks has spaced out the keys, which are 9% larger than on previous versions and you can really tell the difference.

The latest version now works with Apple’s MagSafe magnetic wireless charging, which was absent on the previous version.

Clicks for iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be available to order beginning October. Clicks for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models will be available in Dcember.

The Clicks for iPhone 16 Pro Case is 19.1cm long (compared to the phone’s 14.7cm length) and weighs 70g; for iPhone Pro Max, 20.7cm (16cm iPhone) and 80g. The case is now made from tougher TPU rather than silicone.

Read our full

Clicks case for iPhone 16 review

Best iPhone cases with lanyards and wrist straps

Why stuff your iPhone into your trouser or coat pocket or deep into your handbag when you could wear it round your neck or across your shoulder for easier access? Several of the iPhone 16 cases we tested have lanyard options, which we mention in the reviews above or pick out here for particular attention.

1. Mageasy Odyssey Ultra and Roam for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max

Mageasy Odyssey Ultra and Roam for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max

Pros

  • Removable lanyard options
  • External pouch option
  • Robust

Price When Reviewed:

$79.99

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 109g (16 Pro), 291g with lanyard
  • Raised edge: 1.5mm (Odyssey Ultra), 1.3mm (Roam)
  • Camera edge: 1.4mm (Odyssey Ultra), 1.1mm (Roam)
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Titanium (Odyssey); Titanium, Black, Rose, Clear (Roam); Black, Starlight White, Rose, Gray, Camel Brown (Pouch)

Available for (Odyssey): iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Available for (Roam): iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Available for (Pouch): iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Mageasy has a range of cases for the iPhone 16 family that feature detachable lanyards and even a wallet pouch that sits outside the case. Wearing your phone hanging from a lanyard can free up your hands while keeping the phone close for easy access.

The chunkiest lanyard option comes with the most protective case, the $79 Odyssey Ultra Case—clearly the choice of Odysseus on his adventures. The case features interchangeable corners so you can replace the lanyard hooks with reinforced shockproof corners if you need protection rather than a neck-based strap. The 25mm Fidlock Utility Strap is not dainty in the least. This case has a central. ring stand that can rotate 360 degrees for precise adjustments in wither landscape and portrait orientation. It is U.S. military drop-test certified, providing protection from drops as high as 25 feet.

The $35 Roam M + Strap Shockproof Protective Case with Lanyard boasts 16-foot drop protection and a less chunky design than the Odyssey. It offers a more elegant lanyard with integrated hooks.

Looking quite unique, the $55 Pouch M Wallet Phone Case is a sleek 2-in-1 design that features a detachable wallet/purse with space for cards and folding cash. Coming with an adjustable leather strap, it can be worn over the shoulder or as a cross-body. Its zinc alloy clasp is well placed so that it doesn’t obstruct the camera lenses.

Mageasy also offers a robust $39 MagStand 360 M with Rotating Ring Holder Protective Case, which doesn’t boast the lanyard option but is a solid and well-built clear iPhone 16 case with the same 360-degree ring stand as the Odyssey Ultra but with a lesser (but still impressive) 16-foot drop protection.

2. Bellroy Venture Phone 16 Pro Case

Bellroy Venture Phone 16 Pro Case

Pros

  • Removable wrist strap
  • Sculpted body

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 52g (16 Pro), 55g with lanyard
  • Raised edge: 1mm
  • Camera edge: 0.5mm
  • Button covers: Metal
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Chalk, Shadow

Available for: iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

What we love about the Bellroy Venture is is solid yet sculpted body, which gives it a look like no other. The lining inside the Chalk model is a striking orange, which is a detail you won’t often see but is a nice touch.

It ships with its own wrist strap, with an aluminum attachment.

All the buttons are metal, and the Side Button—above the Camera Control—is wonderfully textured to make it easy to locate.

It features hidden side bumpers and internal padding, and looks and feels robust without seeming heavy.

3. BodyGuardz Paradigm Pro case for iPhone 16 Pro – with removable wrist strap for iPhone 16

BodyGuardz Paradigm Pro case for iPhone 16 Pro – with removable wrist strap for iPhone 16

Pros

  • Removable wrist strap
  • Heat vents

Price When Reviewed:

$54.95

  • MagSafe compatible: Yes
  • Weight: 59g (16 Pro) with wrist strap
  • Button covers: Plastic
  • Action button: Covered
  • Camera Control: Cutout
  • Colors: Black, Blue, Green, Purple, Leopard, Clear

Available for: iPhone 16 | iPhone 16 Plus | iPhone 16e | iPhone 16 Pro | iPhone 16 Pro Max

Keeping your iPhone out of your tight pocket or bag could have the added benefit of keeping it cool—unless you are in a very hot environment—with a a healthier battery as a result. The BodyGuardz Paradigm Pro case, available for iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, makes heat dissipation one of its core strengths with both a wrist strap and air vents along both sides. The company names this system of vents “EnduraCore technology”, and it’s a clever move to both improve the iPhone’s temperature and distinguish it from other cases.

For non-Pro owners, there’s the BodyGuardz Ace Pro, which also comes with a detachable wrist strap but not the air vents. You do get a Black Leopard spot pattern, though.

Both cases promise 18-foot drop protection and shock-absorbing corners. The wrist strap might deter pickpockets and other phone thieves, preventing speedy snatches out of your grasp.

Best bags and slings for iPhone 16

If you don’t want to have your iPhone sticking out of your back pocket for all the world to see and seize, or jammed into a tight front pocket, consider a small bag or sling to keep your new iPhone protected and held away from your person.

1. WaterField Shinjuku Sling

WaterField Shinjuku Sling

Pros

  • Stylish sling
  • Tech organizer

Price When Reviewed:

$129

  • Size: 8 x 2.5 x 5 inches (20.3 x 6.4 x 12.7cm
  • Weight: 320g (Waxed), 150g (Canvas)
  • Colors: Waxed Canvas: Navy or Brown; Canvas Storm Gray, Black or Olive Green

Available for: All iPhone models

WaterField Designs makes great bags and its mini crossbody Shinjuku Sling is aimed at owners of the iPhone 16. A sling keeps your iPhone and other essentials close at hand and handsfree but not ruining the cut of your clothes. You don’t always need a full backpack, and a small sling like this may be all you need on a day out or commute.

There’s just one size that will fit either any model of iPhone. There are two materials to choose from: a heavy-duty 15oz Waxed Canvas with a naturally rugged, distressed look, or lightweight waterproof X-Pac Canvas, in various colors.

At the front a zippered pocket can store frequently needed items like a travel card or reading glasses. Inside, with a light diamond-patterned lining, there’s a side pocket that is foam-padded to cradle the iPhone, and two stretch pockets for your AirPods or whatever small items you don’t want to keep in your pockets. There’s even space in the central compartment for a slim 16oz water bottle, as well as keys. At the back you’ll find (but thieves won’t see) a zippered pocket that’s perfect for cash or a passport.

The strap features a quick-release buckle that lets attach it to a chair or other furniture to protect it from thieves when you’re seated.

2. Alpaka Modular Phone Sling V2

Alpaka Modular Phone Sling V2

Pros

  • Stylish phone sling or belt attachment
  • Card wallet

  • Size: 8.1 x 4.1 x 1.9 inches (20.5 x 10.5 x 4.8cm
  • Weight: 150g
  • Colors: Black, Army Green, Blue, Dark Green

Available for: All iPhone models

Fitting any iPhone, the Alpaka Modular Phone Sling V2 allows hands-free phone carrying, with the ability to transform into from crossbody sling to backpack or waist belt-loop attachment.

The new V2 model provides features a magnetic closure mechanism and magnetic buckle strap system and side stretchable fabric to allow for larger devices to fit snug and secure.

At the front is an RFID-blocking front pocket for your cards and cash. And at the side there’s a pen slot.

How we tested iPhone 16 cases

We tested the reviewed cases above using an iPhone 16 Pro. We tested for fit, look and feel, build quality, and magnetic wireless charging. We did not test the claims for Military Grade Protection by throwing the encased phone from speeding trains or hot air balloons or throwing it to the pavement. We have to trust the manufacturer’s claims on this but we did examine the raised screen and camera edges for robustness.

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