The best iPhone X cases you can buy right now

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cracked-iphone
Don't let this happen to you.
Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac

The iPhone X is almost here. Preorders have been taken, so now it’s time to spend the rest of the week until delivery choosing accessories for your new iPhone X.

Unlike the iPhone 8, which fits perfectly into (most) existing iPhone 7 cases, the iPhone X needs new clothes. Here are the best and/or most interesting iPhone 8 cases so far.

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Best iPhone X cases

The type of case you want depends on how you plan to treat your iPhone X, as well as your personal taste. Going to take your phone on some adventures? Go for a rugged case. Want something a little more stylish? Choose a leather case, maybe even a wallet case.

These are our picks for best iPhone X cases so far. We’ll update this guide as we evaluate new products.

Best rugged case — Otterbox Symmetry

Otterbox protection, without its usual ugliness.
Otterbox protection, without its usual ugliness.
Photo: Otterbox

Otterbox has a reputation for big, tough, ugly cases. And the Otterbox Symmetry almost delivers on all three of those. It gives you two layers of protection, along with a raised screen edge that stops your screen from touching anything even when dropped face-down, and it manages to do it while still looking fairly sleek. Its grippy edges might even stop you from dropping your iPhone X in the first place.

Buy from: Amazon

Best regular case — Apple silicone and leather cases

Apple's are the nicest of all the plain cases we've tried.
Apple’s cases are the nicest of all the plain cases we’ve tried.
Photo: Apple

If all you need is a great, simple case, then buy one of Apple’s cases. Both the leather and the silicone weigh almost nothing. And, as you’d expect, the fit is perfect. The price is a little high, but this is a case that will easily outlast your iPhone. My favorite is the Apple silicone case, because it can be cleaned. The Apple leather case is OK, but when it gets filthy, that’s it. It stays filthy.

Buy from: Amazon

Best battery case — Mophie Charge Force Powerstation

It's not a case, but it works with any case you choose.
It’s not a case, but it works with any case you choose.
Photo: Mophie

The Mophie Charge Force Powerstation is a really neat gadget for iPhone X and iPhone 8 owners. It’s a battery pack, not a case, and it can juice any device just by plugging it into the Powerstation’s USB port. But that’s not it. You can also lay your iPhone 8 or X on top of the Powerstation, and hit the button to start “wireless” inductive charging. That’s because the Powerstation supports the Qi charging standard used by the new iPhones.

And there’s more. The Powerstation also does pass-through charging. That is, when plugged in to a power outlet, it will charge your iPhone first, then charge itself. This means you can use it as a charging mat on your desk, then just unplug it and toss it into your bag when you leave the house. You can even plug an iPad into the USB port and charge the phone inductively on top at the same time.

Buy from: Amazon

Best waterproof case — Lifeproof Fre

Waterproof, drop-proof -- maybe even kid-proof.
Waterproof, drop-proof — maybe even kid-proof.
Photo: Lifeproof

Since the iPhone 7, all new iPhone models are water-resistant, so you really don’t need a waterproof case for most situations. But as Apple still refuses to cover water damage under warranty, you definitely want some extra protection to use it as a true underwater camera, or even if you are simply the pilot of a pleasure boat, a windsurfer or live in rainy England.

The Lifeproof Fre for iPhone X is an update to an existing Lifeproof model. It can survive at more 6 feet underwater for an hour, and on dry land can be dropped from the same height without damaging the iPhone within. Buttons are all usable, as is the camera. The screen gets protected, and there’s an openable hole to charge the iPhone via Lightning cable. Hell, this thing is probably tough enough to withstand being used by children.

Buy from: Amazon

Best wallet case — Mujjo Leather Wallet

A great, simple wallet design for folks who like the Apple case, but want a bit more.
A great, simple wallet design for folks who like the Apple case, but want a bit more.
Photo: Mujjo

The Mujjo Leather Wallet is a more functional alternative to the Apple leather case. It’s almost exactly the same, feature-wise, but it adds a little pocket on the back. This is way better than those folding wallet cases that cram the edges of your cards up against the screen every time you jam them shut. The pocket has space for a couple of cards, and if you live in a country where people still use cash, you can roll up a few bills and wedge them in.

The pocket is also a great place to put metro or bus tickets when you ride public transit.

Buy from: Amazon

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