The iPhone 12 Pro Max is nearly here! This biggest of the new iPhones will undoubtedly be an impressive device when it lands in everyone’s hands next Friday. The problem is, it’ll also land on several floors soon after delivery because we are all klutzes. If you’ve just pre-ordered the Pro Max, you’d be wise to also throw one of the best iPhone 12 Pro Max cases below into your cart.
The iPhone 12 series may employ Apple’s most durable glass ever on the front screen (it’s infused with ceramic to make it highly scratch and break resistant) but it’s not indestructible. And with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, you’ve got a heavier device with even more surface area to crack. Plus there’s the fact that the rear glass is still Apple’s standard (which is good, but not nearly as good as the front).
So you need a case! But don’t worry, I’ve rounded up the best choices no matter what you’re looking for (and if you’re looking for iPhone 12 Pro cases, I’ve got plenty of phone case suggestions for you there as well).
- Best Official iPhone 12 Pro Max Case: Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe
- Best Third-Party iPhone 12 Pro Max Case: Otterbox Symmetry Series+
- Cutest iPhone 12 Pro Max Case: Speck Presidio Sprinkled Donut Edition
- Nerdiest iPhone 12 Pro Max Case: Otterbox Mandalorian Symmetry Series Clear
- Thinnest iPhone 12 Pro Max Case: Totallee Thin Case
- Best Sustainable iPhone 12 Pro Max Case: Lifeproof Wake
- Most Protective iPhone 12 Pro Max Case: Mouse Limitless 3.0
- Best iPhone Pro Max Case for Gaming: Razer Arctech Pro
- Best iPhone Pro Max Leather Case: Apple Leather Case with MagSafe
- Best iPhone Pro Max Wallet Case: Nomad Rugged Leather Folio
- Best Wooden iPhone Pro Max Case: Toast
- Most Expensive iPhone 12 Pro Max Case: Advent Aurora Titanium
Best Official iPhone 12 Pro Max Case
Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe
This might be a cheat, because of course Apple has the best official case. But I really like their approach with this MagSafe case. Rather than have a bezel that you have to shove around your iPhone 12 Pro Max, the raised bezel is minimal. This provides protection while allowing the case to pop on and off using the MagSafe tech. The Otterbox approach has been to basically give us a regular iPhone case, but with magnets which…isn’t quite the same thing.
I really like the Kumquat and think it provides a stunning contrast to the Pacific Blue iPhone 12 Pro Max. Apple’s clean design aesthetic really shines in their cases. And in-hand, the soft-touch silicone just feels nicer than other cases. The micro-fiber interior keeps your iPhone safe from errant grit that might find its way into the case.
Best Third-Party iPhone 12 Pro Max Case
Otterbox Symmetry Series+
Otterbox is the only official third-party MagSafe provider at the moment and they’re making it count with their Symmetry Series+. While they might not pop on and off like Apple’s MagSafe cases, they make up for it with the extra level of protection that Otterbox is known for.
The Symmetry Series+ case is rated to three times military drop standards and has long-wear antimicrobial coatings. The case itself is infused with a silver-based additive to inhibit microbial growth. It’s more expensive than Otterbox’s other offerings, but it’s also going to keep you and your iPhone more protected.
Cutest iPhone 12 Pro Max Case
Speck Presidio Sprinkled Donut Edition
Speck makes some adorable cases and their latest iPhone 12 Pro Max Sprinkled Donut case is no exception. The bright blue case provides perfect contrast to the vibrant pink sprinkled donut graphic. What’s nice is that the print is embedded into the case to resist fading and scratching. So that donut will look just as nice a year from now as it does right now.
The case itself is well made, with 13-foot drop protection, a raised bumper around the camera, and a raised bezel to protect the screen. The material itself is antimicrobial and resists discoloration. It’s slim enough that it won’t interfere with charging or MagSafe accessories.
Nerdiest iPhone 12 Pro Max Case
Otterbox Mandalorian Symmetry Series Clear
Otterbox’s licensing deal with Disney pays off big with this first official Star Wars: The Mandalorian themed case! Built around their excellent Symmetry Series Clear case for the iPhone 12 Pro Max, the rear graphics feature Mando himself and The Child.
The case bumper and the portion around the rear graphic is clear, it’ll look particularly stunning with a black iPhone 12 Pro Max. The Symmetry Series Clear doesn’t have the antimicrobial protection of the Series+ cases but it still has the three-times military drop protection and is compatible with their full line of Alpha and Amplify glass protectors. The Mandalorian case is a Verizon exclusive.
Thinnest iPhone 12 Pro Max Case
Totallee Thin Case
Totallee cases buck the over-engineering trend and do something that could be called, well, “under-engineered.” Their Thin Case for the iPhone 12 Pro Max is .02 inches thick. It barely adds any bulk to the iPhone and yet it still protects the back glass and sides from drops and scratches. The raised lip around the camera keeps it protected as well. There’s even a clear version if you want to get more minimalist. Even better, Forbes readers can get an extra 25% off their Totallee purchases right now on Amazon with the code TOTALLEE25.
Best Sustainable iPhone 12 Pro Max Case
Lifeproof Wake
Made from 85% recycled plastic, the Lifeproof Wake is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to protect your device. Lifeproof creates their material from reclaimed fishing nets at the end of their useful life. Usually, commercial fishermen will toss these nets in the garbage or simply cut them loose at sea where they drift on the bottom of the ocean and create a major environmental hazard.
Lifeproof intercepts those nets, breaks them down into black, dark green, or light green pellets, and then turns that plastic into ultra-thin, drop-proof, one piece cases. There’s a nice wave design on the back of the case that makes it easy to grip as well.
Lifeproof is dedicated to improving the life cycle of their products and encourage you to send the case back to them when you’re done with it. They’ll reclaim the material from the case and put it to use in a new case (they’re working on accepting non-Wake cases as well). For every purchase or registered case, Lifeproof donates a dollar to a water-focused charity.
Most Protective iPhone 12 Pro Max Case
Mous Limitless 3.0
Mous has dropped the Limitless case from 45 feet in the air, kicked it with ice skates, rolled it down rocky mountain trails, and more to prove the effectiveness of their AiroShock material. The raised bezel of the case keeps your screen protected.
The Limitless cases are as stylish as they are durable, with multiple leather, wood, and fiber choices. They also have a line of magnetic accessories that’s compatible with their line of cases. This is good, since the extra thickness of the case will interfere with MagSafe accessories like card wallets. What’s nice is that if you travel often, there’s a place built right into the case for extra SIM cards and a SIM removal tool.
Best iPhone Pro Max Case for Gaming
Razer Arctech Pro
The extra RAM and processing power of the iPhone 12 Pro Max is great for next-gen mobile gaming but it also means it’s likely to get hotter. Add a case to a hot iPhone and that can mean disaster. Razer has risen to the challenge with their Arctech Pro case.
The Arctech Pro case has a layer of Thermapene inside that traps and directs heat out of the back of the case to keep your phone cool and protected. It’s also antimicrobial to keep germs from growing on your iPhone. Razer has also shaved down the interior bumpers right around the areas where the 5G antennas are on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It’s a nice touch and shows how dedicated Razer is to performance.
Best Leather Case
Apple Leather Case with MagSafe
Until someone steps up and releases a leather MagSafe case (not just “MagSafe compatible”), Apple’s new leather cases are going to be the best that a new iPhone 12 Pro Max owner can get. I’m in love with the (PRODUCT)RED case but also am a fan of the yellow California Poppy. The built-in magnets align with your new iPhone 12 Pro Max, snapping into place “magically” according to Apple. The leather Apple uses is premium quality and feels great in-hand. The only caveat (and Apple points this out in the case description) is that MagSafe accessories will leave imprints in the leather over time. It’ll be interesting to see if this ends up being a trend for all iPhone 12 leather cases.
Best iPhone Pro Max Wallet Case
Nomad Rugged Leather Folio
Nomad makes some of the best cases on the market today. The natural, vegetable-tanned Horween leather of the Rugged Leather Folio case for the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a perfect example. It combines beautiful vegetable-tanned Horween leather with a rubber shock-absorbing bumper that can withstand up to a 10-foot drop. The leather of the case will age as you use it, darkening and developing the telltale scratches and imperfections of good leather. It has a cover that can hold up to six cards and some cash.
The Rugged Leather Folio will also develop a patina over time and can absorb major falls and shocks. Speaking of falls, you might want to invest in a glass protector to make sure cards in the cover don’t end up scratching your screen (especially if you have an Apple Card in there).
There are also two lanyard attachment points on the bottom of the case in case you’re the type that likes to use a wrist strap with their iPhone. The colors available are also available in Apple Watch straps. So if you’d like your iPhone and Apple Watch to match, you can make that magic happen.
Best Wooden iPhone Pro Max Case
Toast Wood Cover
Toast’s real wood cover was my “case” of choice for my iPhone 11 Pro Max and I plan on applying one to my iPhone 12 Pro Max once it arrives. They’re easy to use, make your iPhone look great, don’t interfere with heat dissipation, wireless charging, or MagSafe, and are the slimmest way available to protect your device.
Toast’s founder told me that he created Toast to provide “cases for people who don’t want cases” and this definitely fits the bill. With Toast your phone is protected, but isn’t any bulkier. The only issue is that Toast is a one-time solution. Taking it off your phone destroys the applique (but leaves no residue on your iPhone). If you’re the type that changes cases often, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Most Expensive iPhone 12 Pro Max Case
Advent Aurora Titanium
When is a case not a case? When it’s a case bumper. Usually these are low cost options for folks who want to take a minimalist approach to protection, just ensuring that the dent-prone corners of their iPhone 12 Pro Max are covered.
Gray is turning that “low cost” expectation on its head with their $1,499 Advent Aurora Titanium bumper. The aerospace-grade titanium is hand-torched for a iridescent finish. The open-back design leaves you free to pop whatever MagSafe accessories you want on the back of your iPhone 12 Pro Max. It’s certainly the most unique case on this list and, with an extremely limited production run, one that’s almost guaranteed to be like no one else’s in your social circle.
