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PCMag UK

The Best iPhone XS Cases

Chandra Steele
 & Chandra Steele Senior Features Writer

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Apple has not followed a familiar naming convention with its newest iPhones. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of iPhone, Apple skipped over iPhone 9 to introduce iPhone X, which has evolved into the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max£799 at Amazon UK.

Right now we're going to address those who opted for the iPhone XS£1149 at Amazon UK. There are plenty of reasons to choose it, including the fact that it fits comfortably in the hand and that PCMag mobile analyst Sascha Segan called it "glowing and glamorous."

So you want a case that lets the iPhone XS shine through. We've got you literally covered, with cases that are crystal clear, hold your cards and cash, snap onto your belt, make a splash, and more.

Native Union Clic Wooden

Sometimes things just click, like the natural beauty of wood meeting the practicality of plastic on the Native Union Clic Wooden Case.

Rifle Paper Co. Hello Gorgeous

See the world through gold-colored glasses with the sunny outlook this Rifle Paper Co. case provides.

BodyGuardz Trainr Pro Case

The Bodyguardz Trainr Pro Case is for those whose phone is their workout partner. It has a quick-release armband for when you want to take photos but don't want to slow down.

Hitcase Pro

The Hitcase Pro has a lot to add to your iPhone XS. It makes it waterproof (instead of just water-resistant) and has a system that lets you add on lenses and other photography equipment.

Incipio NGP

Flexibility is a good quality, particularly in this Incipio case made of a grippy, flexible material that withstands shocking drops.

Incipio Stars

We are all made of stars, though that's not always apparent. It is on the Incipio Stars Case, though, which has gold ones scattered all over it.

Case-Mate Wallet Folio

Carry your ID, cards, cash, and phone with the Case-Mate Wallet Folio. The slim leather design keeps everything, including your look, together.

LifeProof Slam

It's good to know your strengths—and your faults. If you're a bit accident-prone, you might do well to invest in the LifeProof Slam, which protects your phone from drops of about 6 feet.

Monet Brand iPhone Wallet

Stop with the pops. PopSockets are an unattractive addition to your phone. The Monet Brand iPhone Wallet still lets you get a grip on your phone but in a much better way. And it holds your cards and cash.

Case-Mate Mood

This Case-Mate case is a big mood. It has color-changing technology that responds to the heat in your hands when you hold it.

Incipio Stashback

Sometimes you want to carry your cards with your phone but you don't want a folio-style case. That's where the Incipio Stashback comes in. The hinged back lets you easily store three cards.

OtterBox Defender Series Screenless Edition Case

OtterBox is known for the protection it offers phones. The OtterBox Defender covers everything on your iPhone XS except the screen and comes with a holster that doubles as a kickstand.

Grovemade Walnut iPhone Bumper

A walk in the woods isn't always possible, so get the Grovemade Walnut iPhone Bumper to remind you of serene spaces.

Pad and Quill Luxury Pocket Book Case

The Pad and Quill Luxury Pocket Book Case has all the charm of a well-worn leather notebook. Instead of pages, though, it holds your iPhone XS, ID, cards, and cash.

Sonix Autumn Floral

Bring a little floral style into your life with the Sonix Autumn Floral Case. It's also slim and scratch-resistant.

Speck Presidio Show

You chose your phone color for a reason, so show it off with the framing (and drop-protection) the Speck Presidio Show offers.

Case-Mate Compact Mirror

Check your look in the mirror attached to the back of the Case-Mate Compact Mirror before you take a selfie.

Tech21 Evo Luxe

Leather has a luxurious look but is not cruelty-free. The Tech21 Evo Luxe is undetectably faux and kind to animals.

Speck Presidio Folio

The Speck Presidio Folio is a combination wallet and phone case, which comes in a variety of materials and colors.

Sonix Terrazo Mint

Italy is known for its terrazzo marble and also its gelato. This Sonix case has the yummy look of both.

UrbanArmorGear Pathfinder Series

For a phone case that has tactile protection via tactile buttons, the Urban Armor Gear Pathfinder Series is the way to go.

OtterBox Symmetry Series Wakanda Forever

Fans of both OtterBox's Symmetry Series and Marvel's Avengers can feel super about the choice of cases available for the iPhone XS (like this Black Panther-themed one).

Tech21 Evo Max

So many cases protect your phone, except for the lens. The Tech21 Evo Max has a sliding protector that goes right over that particularly tricky part of your phone.

Vena Holster Case vArmor

Military-grade protection and looks are what you get with the Vena Holster Case vArmor. It has a detachable swivel holster and raised front-edge protection.

Waterfield Ranger iPhone Case

If Indiana Jones carried an iPhone, he'd use this case. It has a magnetic fidlock closure to keep your phone safe on all your adventures.

Urban Armor Gear Metropolis Series

Urban Armor Gear cases are tough as well as practical. The Metropolis is just a little more practical than most since it doubles as a wallet and the cover protects your screen.

Speck Presidio Grip and Glitter

There are lots of examples of two things that go great together. The Speck Presidio Grip and Glitter are among them.

Case Mate Kodak Case

This Case-Mate case makes you think all the world's a sunny day.

Sonix Rattan Case

This woven-looking case from Sonix is a dream. It's light but super protective.

Richmond & Finch Tiger & Dragon

This Richmond & Finch case has such a luxe look. The tiger and dragon are meant to symbolize harmony and balance while the bezel around the screen protects your phone if things to topsy-turvy.

OtterBox Figura Series Case

As if you don't pick up your phone enough times during the day, the Figura case from OtterBox is begging to be touched with its soft synthetic shell and scales.

Speck Presidio Inked

The galaxy awaits on this Speck Presidio Inked case. There are plenty of other designs that include flora, fruit, and donuts.

Casetify Premium Leather Case

Solve the dilemma of having no pockets with this Casetify case that lets you carry cards, cash, and your phone slung around you.

Case-Mate Barely There Leather

This Case-Mate Barely There Leather case is 2mm thin so it won't weigh down your phone but it will give it a beautiful butterscotch patina

Element Case Black Ops Elite

We're not going to ask what you do for a living but if you need a phone case that's ready for anything and we mean anything, get the Element Case Black Ops Elite. Its made of CNC-machined G10 and aircraft-grade aluminum. The tactical holster doubles as a kickstand for when you kick back.

Speck Presidio Grip and Glitter

There are lots of examples of two things that go great together. The Speck Presidio Grip and Glitter are among them.

About Our Expert

Chandra Steele

Chandra Steele

Senior Features Writer

My Experience

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme. 

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

Outside of PCMag, I write fiction, poetry, humor, and essays on culture.

My Areas of Expertise

  • Making incomprehensible tech news easy to understand
  • Expanding the boundaries of topics covered in the industry
  • Figuring out tips and tricks in apps and on devices and letting you know about them
  • Putting together gift guides for everyone in your life 

The Technology I Use

All that gadgets is gold for me: my iPhone 11 Pro, my fifth-generation iPad that I use only for streaming videos and music, my iPad mini 4 that I like to take with me whenever I carry a bag that can fit it, and my MacBook Pro. Why are they all different shades of gold, though? What’s going on, Apple? 

None of them quite live up to my two past loves: my LG Lotus LX600 phone and my Sony Walkman NW-E005 MP3 player. 

I've never given up wired earbuds so I was ahead of all those trend pieces. I use a Mangotek Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone jack adapter to connect them to my phone. 

I have had so many ebook readers, but I prefer paper to them all. Still, my Kindle Paperwhite is perfect for traveling or when I’m too impatient to wait for a book to be released in paperback.

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