While Apple might have released the more powerful iPhone 16 Pro Max, there are still plenty of good reasons to pick up the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple's previous Max model has all the same features, including eventual Apple Intelligence, for less price making it a sensible investment.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is easily one of the biggest, and hardiest, iPhones on the market and holds an intense amount of power compared to some of the best smartphones on the market. However, all that power comes at a price and you want to protect such a heavy investment, as such you need to buy a case.
Yes, the titanium frame on the iPhone 15 Pro Max is more durable than the stainless steel Apple previously used on its Pro phones, and the Ceramic Shield protecting the 6.7-inch display is as durable as ever. Regardless, there's no downside to buying a case to help keep it even safer.
Our selections include a variety of designs and features to satisfy the taste of different iPhone 15 Pro Max owners. But these cases all have at least one thing in common — they aim to keep your iPhone 15 Pro Max protected from drops, scratches and other unexpected mishaps that can crop up as you use your phone.
Read on to see our picks for the best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases that we've come across so far.
Philip Michaels is the managing editor for mobile at Tom's Guide. He's been covering technology for more than 20 years and writing about smartphones since Steve Jobs showed off the original iPhone back in 2007. He's worked at Tom's Guide since 2015, and visitors to his Northern California home are wowed by the stacks of phones he keeps handy for head-to-head testing.
The best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases right now
Best case overall
Colors: Black
Materials: Recycled plastic
Weight: TBA
+ 16-foot drop protection
+ Works with MagSafe, wireless charging
+ Made out of recycled materials
- Force case comes in just black
Clckr teamed up with athletic gear maker G-Form on different iPhone cases, the most impressive of which is the Form. This iPhone 15 Pro Max case promises 16-foot drop protection and MagSafe compatibility, and it works with Clckr accessories like attachable kickstands. Best of all, the Force case is made entirely of recycled plastics, for an accessory that makes less of an impact on the planet. While the lack of color options is a bit of a disappointment, it still comes with a stylish look.
Most versatile looking case
Colors: 10 different design options
Materials: Thermoplastic polyurethane
Weight: 2.5 ounces
+ Comes in several colors and designs
+ Grippable sides
- Other cases promise better drop-protection
You're not hurting for choice when it comes to the Smartish Gripmunk case for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. You can pick a case that offers solid colors like jade, blue, or black or instead opt for a more unique design featuring leaves, mountains or cherry blossoms. The 6-foot drop protection isn't as extensive as what other cases promise, but you still get a degree of durability to go with grippy sides to keep you from dropping your phone in the first place.
Best clear case
Colors: Clear
Materials: Thermoplastic polyurethane
Weight: 2.4 ounces
+ Shows off iPhone's look
+ Thin, light design
- Plain appearance
iPhone owners face a dilemma: how do you protect your phone while still letting Apple's stellar design shine through? The solution is a clear case, and the best option is the Totallee Clear for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Totallee's case encloses your iPhone without obscuring its looks. It also doesn't add much bulk, while also providing a grippy surface to hold on to your phone. Totallee promises its clear case won't yellow over time, either.
Best case for accessories
Colors: Black, grey, pink, blue, dark blue, clay, white
Materials: Polycarbonate
Weight: 3.5 ounces
+ Variety of colors
+ 13-foot drop protection
+ Enhanced connectivity with MagSafe
- Visible company logo
Speck designs its Presidio2 Grip case to work with MagSafe accessories, adding a ClickLock interlocking feature to better hold those add-ons in place. It's sturdier than you might think and means you can add a wallet or grip with ease. The Presidio2 Grip doesn't stop there, offering 13-foot drop protection aided by an airbag-like approach that cushions your iPhone when you drop it. Grips on the sides can help make sure you never have to test that feature, though.
Best multipurpose case
Colors: Clear, black
Materials: Polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyurethane
Weight: TBA
+ Works well with MagSafe
+ Built-in attachment for accessories
- Relatively expensive
At $69, the Rokform Crystal Case is one the pricier options among the best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases, but it also provides quite a lot, starting with a slim case that meets the military standards for drop protection. Which you'll need as this is one of the few cases without dedicated no-slip features. A multi-magnet arrangement promises a stronger hold on MagSafe accessories, while a RokLock Twist system in the case connects your phone to Rokform accessories like bike and car mounts.
Best kickstand
Colors: Black, blue, gray
Materials: Thermoplastic polyurethane, polypropylene, polyester, silicone, carbon fiber
Weight: 3.2 ounces
+ Built-in kickstand
+ 13-foot drop rating
- Not much variety in color choices
There's a lot to like about the Torras Ostand Shockproof case, starting with its promised 13-foot drop protection and its enhanced MagSafe connectivity for holding on to accessories. But we like this iPhone 15 Pro Max case for its convenience — a 360-degree rotatable ring grip pops out of the back of the case to prop up your iPhone 15 Pro Max either in landscape or portrait mode when it's time to watch a movie or go hands-free.
What to look for in the best Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max cases
Step one in finding the best iPhone 15 Pro Max case is to make sure that the ones you're looking at will fit your device. Obviously, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro cases won't fit the bill because of their different screen sizes, but even cases that work with last year's iPhone 14 Pro Max won't fit your new iPhone. For one thing, the iPhone 15 Pro Max isn't as tall or as wide, thanks to more slender bezels. For another, the iPhone 15 Pro Max now offers an Action button, something missing from the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Once you've narrowed your search to the right cases, consider these other factors for your iPhone 15 Pro Max case:
* Drop protection: You'll want a case that promises at least 4 feet of drop protection since that's the height where most drops are typically going to occur. Our list of the best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases includes offerings that exceed that minimum, some of which provide drop protection in double digits. Typically, the higher the drop protection rating, the thicker the case, so take that into consideration.
* Materials: Apple placed an emphasis on eco-friendly materials in its iPhone 15 launch this year, and accessory makers seem to be doing the same. For instance, you won't find leather among the options Apple makes, as it's replacing that material with something called FineWoven. Leather case options are still out there for those that want them (though not on this list). Case makers also note when their accessories are made with recycled materials (usually plastics).
* Functionality: Some cases provide protection for your iPhone and little else. Others take a multifunction approach, offering slots to store cash and credit cards or a kickstand for propping up your phone when you want to go hands free.
* MagSafe and wireless charging: If you plan to charge your phone wirelessly, make sure the iPhone 15 Pro Max case you buy can support that technology. (Not all cases do.) Since these are iPhone cases we're looking at, you'll also want to consider if there's built-in MagSafe support, as that will let you use other MagSafe-friendly chargers and battery packs with your case.
* Price: There's a wide-range of prices out there for iPhone 15 Pro Max cases, with bargain offerings starting around $20. We've seen prices go as high as $99, but we'd suggest you limit your purchase to $70 or less.
How we pick the best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases
We use word-of-mouth and customer reviews to assemble an initial list of iPhone 15 Pro Max cases, before we conduct our own research into what each case has to offer. In some instances, we may bring cases in for additional testing and to verify manufacturer claims.
To evaluate phone cases, we consider price, color options, drop-protection ratings and additional functionality. We look to include a variety of cases in our top picks to make sure that you'll have options that fit your own personal taste.
