Best iPhone 12 Cases for 2023 – CNET

$28 at Amazon

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OtterBox Symmetry SeriesBest slim OtterBox case

Best slim OtterBox case

$30 at Amazon

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X-Doria Raptic Cases

Premium case for a little less

$40 at Amazon

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Catalyst Vibe and Influence

Clean look, lanyard-friendly

$30 at Amazon

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Smartish Crossbody Case

Affordable crossbody wallet case

$18 at Amazon

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Wildflower x Coachella Case

Best case for festival lovers

$7 at Amazon

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YouMaker Clear Case

Cheap clear case (Update: Out of stock)

Although the iPhone 12 may be a couple generations old now, there’s still a wide variety of phone cases on the market for it.  It’s always a good idea to give your iPhone 12 some extra protection from dents, scratches and cracks, so that it stays in good working condition and may retain some trade-in value when you’re ready to upgrade. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of phone case options worth checking out.

Read more: Best MagSafe and Magnetic iPhone Accessories for 2023

The iPhone 12 has what Apple describes as “an array of magnets” embedded around a charging coil that can pull up to 15 watts of power. That’s twice as powerful as wireless charging on previous iPhones, but on par with the power that many Android phones can draw from standard Qi wireless chargers. So the best iPhone 12 case will support that 15-watt charging speed while also protecting your phone. 

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Watch this: iPhone 12 cases for every type of user

To get 15-watt charging, you’ll need an Apple MagSafe charger or an Apple-approved MagSafe charger from a third-party accessory maker, but your phone will still charge at up to 7.5 watts with standard wireless chargers that support that speed or higher. Most of the cases on this list are compatible with wireless charging and some are Apple-certified MagSafe cases with integrated magnets. If you’re looking for the best iPhone 12 case, just keep scrolling to see our picks.

Read more: Best Eco-Friendly iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Cases

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I have expensive tastes, and I personally like Speck’s Presidio2 Armor Cloud (white model on the right in the photo). But the Presidio2 Pro (gray case in the photo) is also excellent. If you want an apple clear case, Speck has several models for iPhone 12 case to choose from, including the Presidio Perfect-Clear with Grips.

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Amazon

If you’re looking for a cheap clear case for your iPhone 12, Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid is a good value at around $12 to $15, depending on the trim color and which version of iPhone 12 you have (yes, there are a few color options).

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I’ve recently become a fan of Clckr’s cases, which feature a built-in stand and grip strap that folds out and clicks into place on the back of your phone. Clckr sells just the stand-strap accessory to stick on the back of your phone or on a case, but the case with the integrated stand accessory is better and comes in a few different styles, including clear (I like the Saffiano blue but it’s currently only available in black).

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I only recently learned that Cyrill is a sister brand to Spigen and its cases are arguably slightly better, although they cost a few bucks more. We’re linking to the Leather Brick case, pictured here in tan and navy (it’s faux “vegan” leather), but the Silicone case (pictured in light blue) and transparent Cecile cases are also good. The Silicone case is basically a knockoff of the Apple Silicone case without the MagSafe feature.

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Amazon

OtterBox’s super protective Defender series case is available for all the iPhone 12 models with Magsafe compatibility, but most people want something less bulky. The Symmetry series is slim with beveled edges, making it a good mix of sleek and protective. A raised bumper helps act as a screen protector.

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Brooklyn, New York-based Casely makes “cute and protective” cases that have a variety of graphic artists behind their designs. The cases usually cost $25, but the online store often offers discounts.

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MagSafe accessories will still stick to your phone if you have a standard thin case, but not nearly as well as if you use one of Apple’s MagSafe cases, which have their own set of embedded magnets that line up with the magnets in your phone.

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KerfCase has been making handmade wooden cases for a while, and its new Plywood case is not only more durable but less expensive than some, starting at $50, with 6-foot drop protection and a limited lifetime repair warranty. I like it better than other wood cases I’ve tried. It’s also worth noting that Apple’s MagSafe charger will stick to the back of it, and KerfCase sells matching charging docks for the Apple MagSafe charger (yes, it’s an accessory for an accessory).

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David Carnoy/CNET

British case-maker Gear4, now owned by Zagg, makes cases that are right up there with OtterBox and Speck, all of them lined with the company’s D3O shock-absorbing material and featuring beveled edges to protect your phone. My favorites include (from left to right) the Wembley Palette, Crystal Palace Iridescent, Battersea and Piccadilly. All of them are rated for 13-foot drop protection and the Battersea is rated for 16 feet. 

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David Carnoy/CNET

X-Doria’s Raptic cases come in a variety of styles and cost a little less than competing premium cases from Speck and OtterBox. The thicker Raptic Shield (pictured on left) costs $30 while the Raptic Air (pictured on right), which I personally like, is $30. The Shield has 10-foot drop protection while the Air is rated for 13-foot drop protection. Both have an antimicrobial treatment.