10 Must-Have iPhone 12 Accessories And Cases

From MagSafe wireless chargers to protective-yet-stylish cases, here’s our roundup of cool accessories to check out for the iPhone 12 series.

Time To Accessorize?

With Apple’s latest series of iPhones, making sure to get the right accessories--such as cases, wireless chargers, screen protectors and car mounts--is very much a necessity. Apple announced the iPhone 12 series last fall, with four models ranging in size from the iPhone 12 Mini up to the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Thus, if you’re looking for a protective case--such as Apple’s go-to silicone case--then you’ll definitely want to make sure you’re getting the right size. You’ll also want to take note of Apple’s introduction of a whole new option for iPhone 12 accessories--MagSafe. Thanks to the new iPhone 12 design, you can snap a MagSafe wireless charger onto the back of any of the iPhone 12 models for another way to charge up. Meanwhile, MagSafe-compatible car mounts are another new option for iPhone 12 owners (no more sticking magnets onto the back of your phone to attach it to a car mount). Along with those accessories and cases, we’ve also found some of the other best iPhone 12 accessories worth checking out in 2021.

What follows is our roundup of 10 must-have iPhone 12 accessories and cases.

Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe

For your new iPhone, you really can’t go wrong with the standard, reliable case option made by Apple itself. This stylish Apple-made silicone case offers protection for the back and sides of the phone, while also promising a snug fit. (It’s been my go-to for my personal iPhones for years.) This time around, for the iPhone 12 series, the Apple Silicone Case offers another potential leg-up over third-party iPhone cases: compatibility with MagSafe. If you have any apprehensions about whether your case might interfere with using MagSafe accessories on your iPhone 12, buying the Apple-made silicone case is probably your surest bet that everything will work properly.

The Apple Silicone case is available for iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro for $49.

Apple MagSafe Charger

While we’re on the topic of MagSafe, don’t forget you’ll still need to buy a MagSafe charger for your iPhone 12 if you want those capabilities, since the charger is not included with the device. Apple’s MagSafe Charger snaps onto the back of any model in the iPhone 12 series, using magnets to ensure that you don’t accidentally mis-align the phone and experience a charging failure. The company also touts faster wireless charging speeds for MagSafe than for other wireless-charging methods; the MagSafe Charger can charge wirelessly at up to 15W, Apple said. That’s compared to the typical 10W or 7.5W on previous Qi wireless chargers. Apple does recommend a 20W USB-C Power Adapter that’s sold separately to achieve optimal charging speeds.

Apple’s MagSafe Charger is available for $39.

Belkin Boost Charge 3-in-1 Wireless Charger with MagSafe

If you rely on your iPhone 12, Apple Watch and AirPods, this Belkin device can charge all three--and do so fast. The Boost Charge 3-in-1 Wireless Charger features a 15W charging stand that uses the new MagSafe capabilities to magnetically attach—and perfectly align—your iPhone 12 for wireless charging. Meanwhile, you can also simultaneously re-charge your AirPods and Apple Watch using two other charging modules on the Boost Charge 3-in-1 charger.

Belkin’s Boost Charge 3-in-1 Wireless Charger with MagSafe is priced at $149.99.

Belkin Car Vent Mount Pro with MagSafe

The new MagSafe feature in the iPhone 12 series is not strictly about wireless charging, however. For many users, mounting your phone in your vehicle can be a real ordeal—something that MagSafe can help to solve. With Belkin’s new MagSafe-enabled car vent mount, your iPhone 12 can magnetically snap onto the mount—a much easier prospect than fiddling with other non-magnetic mounts or sticking magnets onto your phone yourself. While Belkin Car Vent Mount Pro with MagSafe does not also provide wireless charging, the design of the mount allows for easily running a cable from the iPhone 12 to the car outlet.

Belkin’s Car Vent Mount Pro with MagSafe is priced at $39.95.

BodyGuardz Harmony Case

Protective iPhone cases don’t just need to be about mitigating the effects of drops and shocks—they can also add style. With the BodyGuardz Harmony Case for the iPhone 12, an appealing ombré color scheme is complemented by shock-absorbing corners along with a raised, protective bumper that offers full screen usage. Those protective features add up to an impressive 10-foot drop rating for the Harmony Case.

The BodyGuardz Harmony Case is available for $39.95.

OtterBox Aneu Series Case with MagSafe

If you’re looking for a stylish iPhone 12 case of a different vein, you might take a look at OtterBox’s Aneu Series Case with MagSafe. Available in four colors—black, blue, pink and “stone” (pictured)—the OtterBox Aneu Series Case offers an attractively simple option for protecting your new iPhone 12, with no logo or text on the back (unlike the Apple Silicone case, which sports an Apple logo, and many other branded cases). For protection, the case includes raised screen bumpers—and the case also promises compatibility with MagSafe accessories.

The OtterBox Aneu Series Case with MagSafe is priced at $49.95.

Nomad Rugged Case

If leather cases are more your thing, Nomad makes an appealing one for the iPhone 12, using leather from Chicago tannery Horween Leather Co. And the case offers major durability thanks to a new internal bumper for shock absorption along with a 360-degree exterior bumper (made from thermoplastic polyurethane). Nomad promises protection against drops as high as 10 feet, as well as compatibility with MagSafe.

The Nomad Rugged Case is priced at $59.95.

OtterBox Amplify Glass Screen Protector

If you are the accident-prone type, just getting a protective case might not be enough. A screen protector for the front of your iPhone 12 could go a long way toward protecting against scratches and drops, as well as regular wear and tear. OtterBox’s Amplify Glass Screen Protector uses technology developed by Corning—the maker of Gorilla Glass—to provide a high level of protection, according to OtterBox. Key advantages include “up to 5X greater scratch resistance than the leading glass alternative,” according to the company.

OtterBox’s Amplify Glass Screen Protector is priced at $49.95.

Belkin Boost Charge Power Bank 10K with Lightning Connector

If your iPhone 12 always seems to be in need of a charge, you just might need to spring for this handy accessory from Belkin. The 10,000mAh Boost Charge Power Bank offers a stunning 70 hours worth of battery life per charge, according to Belkin. The power bank also features a lightweight design, and includes two USB-A ports to enable charging of two devices at a time. The device also has a big advantage over other power banks: it can actually recharge itself using a Lightning cable. That means you can recharge your Boost Charge Power Bank with the same Lightning cable you use to power your iPhone.

The Belkin Boost Charge Power Bank 10K with Lightning Connector is currently priced at $59.99.

Apple AirPods Pro

While not an accessory in the same sense as the others on this list, Apple’s AirPods Pro are definitely worth considering if you don’t own a pair already. These wireless earbuds not only sound great, but they also pair and unpair from your iPhone 12 automatically; include mics that are excellent for calls; come with three different silicone ear tips to choose from; and, best of all, feature terrific Active Noise Cancellation—something not available in standard AirPods. The result is a superb listening experience from wireless earbuds that have a strong likelihood of being able to stay in your ears. The AirPods Pro also include Siri voice control and “transparency mode” for being able to listen to music while also hearing the sounds in the environment.

Apple’s AirPods Pro are priced at $249.