If you have picked up, or plan on picking up, the new iPhone 15, you’re probably going to want to snag a case for it. Even with the durability and repairability improvements for the new handsets, a single drop or significant scratch can be devastating for your $1,000 investment. Fortunately there are a wide range of options available that fit most needs and budgets, and we’ve done all the heavy lifting for you. After spending hours testing and researching, we believe these are the best iPhone 15 cases you can buy right now.
The best iPhone 15 cases
Totallee Thin iPhone 15 Case
If you’ve seen our previous case roundups, you knew this was coming. We are huge fans of the Totallee Thin case around iDB. It’s ultra-thin, so you’ll barely notice it, and there are no gaudy patterns or branding to deal with. It comes in a few different colors, but if you want to lean into the ‘barely there’ motif, go with the Frosted Clear option—it’ll be like you don’t have a case on at all. Now it isn’t cheap, and it won’t soften long distance drops, but if you hate cases and still want something to protect your new $1,000 investment, it doesn’t get much better than the Totallee. $40
Spigen Liquid Air Armor for iPhone 15
The Spigen Liquid Air Armor is another favorite here at iDB, and I believe it still holds the record for most consecutive days a case has been on my phone. There’s nothing particularly special about it. It’s just thin, full-featured, and inexpensive—the perfect everyday case. The triangular (?) pattern looks surprisingly sharp in person, and it provides a nice grippy texture that makes the phone easier to hold, and less likely to slide around on slicker surfaces. It’s not quite as thin as the Totallee, but it does provide better protection. Spigen claims the case has been drop-tested to meet military standards. $14
ESR Clear MagSafe Case for iPhone 15
For a basic clear case, with support for MagSafe accessories, you might want to check out this one from ESR. To be honest, there’s not a lot that separates this one from the hundreds of other clear cases on Amazon, but ESR is a fairly well-known brand, I’ve personally had good experiences with them, and the price is right. This case is great if you want a see-through plastic cover, with decent drop protection, and of course it has strong magnets embedded in the back so you can continue to use your favorite MagSafe chargers and accessories. $15
Nomad Modern Leather Case for iPhone 15
With Apple discontinuing all of its leather case products, you’ll have to look elsewhere for all your future cowhide cover needs, and for that, it doesn’t get much better than Nomad. Nomad’s Modern Leather Case is constructed of Horween leather, from the USA, that is made to develop a beautiful, rugged patina over time. The case also features anodized aluminum buttons, dual lanyard attachment points, support for MagSafe, and it’s been tested to provide 8 feet of drop protection. Available in Black and Rustic Brown colorways. $70
Nomad Modern Leather Folio for iPhone 15
We like the Nomad Modern Leather Case, but we love the Folio. It’s made with the same vegetable tanned Horween leather, that will develop a patina (rugged leather look) over time, and it really looks and feels premium. There’s a removable magnetic clasp that keeps the cover closed, and inside you get 3 slots for credit cards, one slot for cash. It also has built-in MagSafe support, so you can continue to use your favorite wireless chargers and accessories. This leather wallet case is available in both Black and Rustic Brown, but it is currently only shipping for the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. $80
OtterBox Defender Series for iPhone 15
If you need premium protection for your new iPhone 15, you’re probably going to want to check out the OtterBox Defender Series. It’s not airtight or waterproof, but it has all the other features you’d want in a rugged case. It has a multiple layer of protection — a durable rubber outer cover for better grip and impact absorption, and a rigid inner shell. Port covers block dust and dirt, and there is a raised lip around the screen and rear camera to prevent scratching. The case also comes with a belt-clip holster, and a limited lifetime warranty with hassle-free customer service. $65
FAQ
Can I still wireless-charge my iPhone with a case on?
If you are using a MagSafe-compatible case on your devices and a MagSafe charger, absolutely. You can confirm a case is MagSafe-friendly either in our descriptions above or on the case’s product page itself, or you can look for the large circle (which indicates magnets) on the inside/outside of the case. As for a case working with a normal (Qi) wireless charger, it would have to be a really thin case — so no graphene or wallet cases — and even then it wouldn’t be an ideal charging scenario.
Will a case protect the large rear camera lens?
Most cases will offer a small bumper or raised lip around the rear camera module that will protect it from abrasive surfaces, but that is again something you’ll want to verify in the product’s description.
Will my old iPhone case work with iPhone 15?
If you have a 14 case and are upgrading to the iPhone 15, then it’s possible there could be some compatibility there. But with the new USB-C port, as well as the new action button and thinner bezels on the iPhone 15 Pro, we highly recommend just grabbing a new iPhone case for your convenience.