Best iPhone SE cases: Protect your new Apple iPhone with a fancy new case or cover
Apple’s new iPhone SE is the most powerful 4-inch handset ever made. With a processor that matches that of the high-end iPhone 6S, and a 12-megapixel camera, the SE is an impressive device.
And while it certainly manages to pack in a host of top-end features, it’s glass and metal chasis means that it’s unlikely to hold up well if dropped.
Priced at a very reasonable £350, the SE also still costs a fair amount, making a case almost compulsory.
Video – iPhone SE in 90 seconds: All you need to know
Whether you’re after something rugged that’ll offer protection or something that’s slimmed down and stylish, there’s a case here for you. Here’s our round-up.
Case-Mate Barely There
You may be able to tell from the name that the Case-Mate Barely There isn’t the most conspicuous case you can buy. Case-Mate’s design is based upon ensuring your iPhone remains looking sleek and refined, while offering a decent level of protection.
The impact-resistant outer shell and raised bezel means the SE will be able to withstand the odd drop, plus you get access to all ports and functions. If you’re looking for something that won’t alter the shape or weight of your iPhone SE too much, this snap on case is one of the best options available.
Buy Now: Case-Mate Barely There at Amazon.co.uk (£14.99) | Amazon.com ($27)
Price: £14.99
Grovemade Walnut & Leather
Grovemade has decided to combine two fine materials together in order to lend your new iPhone SE a touch of rugged refinement. Sounds contradictory doesn’t it? Well, the Walnut and Leather case manages to pull such a feat off with its combination of hand-sanded walnut and vegetable-tanned leather. There’s even something the company is calling ‘actuated wood power and volume buttons’.
Of course, such a polished product comes at a price. If you want the fine artisans at Grovemade to ship you a walnut and leather contraption direct from Portland, Oregon it’ll cost you $99 plus shipping.
Buy Now: Grovemade Walnut & Leather at Grovemade.com from £69
Price: $99 (about £69)
Otterbox Defender
What do you do when one layer of protection isn’t enough? Add another two of course, and the fine folks at Otterbox have done just that with the suitably titled Defender case. Triple protection means your iPhone SE will be shielded from even the most horrendous of accidents, and there’s holes cut out for the camera and the Apple logo so you can still be recognised as the proud owner of an Apple product. With dust protection, screen protection, and excellent button covers, you can’t afford not to wrap your new SE in three layers of protection.
Buy Now: Otterbox Defender at Amazon.co.uk (£25) | Amazon.com ($20)
Price: £39.99
Nodus Shell
If Italian leather is your thing, Nodus has the case for you. Not only does the Shell turn your phone into a much more tasteful looking accessory, it also has a magnet on on the back which allows you to attach it to the free Micro Dock that comes as part of the deal. You can place the dock anywhere from your car dashboard to a wall using the adhesive pads.
As well as this, the case includes a raised bezel to help protect the screen and gives you access to all the phone’s ports and features. At £49.99 it’s not the cheapest option, but the dock looks like it could be a genuinely useful extra. Plus the Italian leather is undeniably classy.
Price: £49.99
Official iPhone SE Leather Case
Apple happens to make its own range of cases, although, as you can expect, they’re not exactly cheap. You can get an official leather case for the SE for £29.99, but it’s only available in black and midnight blue at this moment in time. That said, it’s a great option if you want something a bit classy, with it boasting a high-quality European leather finish. All the buttons are covered up, and there’s a soft microfibre lining on the inside of the case to ensure your SE doesn’t scratch when you take it in and out.
Buy Now: Official iPhone SE Leather Case at Apple from £29.99
Price: £29.99
Tech21 Evo Mesh Case
Tech21 is known for creating cases that look good and offer added protection, and the Evo Mesh is no exception. Made from the company’s FlexShock material to absorb and repel impact force, it features a lightweight, slim structure, a dotted design for a minimalistic look, a raised screen bezel so the phone’s screen doesn’t get damaged, and full access to all the SE’s buttons and ports. You can get it in clear, pink and black colour options.
Buy Now: Tech21 Evo Mesh Case at Amazon.co.uk (£23) | Amazon.com ($20)
Price: £24.95
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X-Doria Bump Gear Plus
Ever since the connectivity troubles of the iPhone 4, bumpers have become a fashion statement for smartphones. And the Bump Gear Plus from X-Doria is an excellent example. While it’s just an aluminium frame for your iPhone, it still looks good and will protect your iPhone’s precious sides from damage. What’s great is that there aren’t any screws involved, so it’s simply a case of popping it on your iPhone. As well as this, there’s a rubber interior, meaning the metal shouldn’t cause any scratches.
Buy Now: X-Doria Bump Gear Plus at Amazon.co.uk (£12.99) | Amazon.com ($24.99)
Price: £22.99
Decoded Denim Wallet
This folio-style case will protect the screen, sides and back of the SE while offering a stylish design. It’s been made from premium Japanese leather, and comes in black and tan versions. There are also three credit card slots, which is handy if you don’t want to carry your wallet or purse everywhere you go, and the inside consists of a soft material lining. The SE will snap in place nicely, too.
Buy Now: Decoded Denim Wallet at Amazon.co.uk (£39.99) | Amazon.com ($51)
Price: £39.99
Evutec Karbon S
The Karbon S from Evutec is another worthy choice if you’re after something without the bulk. Made with dual fused layers of DuPont Kevlar woven fibres, it’s strong, light and only 0.7mm thin. This material, the company says, is five times stronger than steel – so your SE will have plenty of protection. It covers the sides and back of the handset, and comes in black.
Buy Now: Evutec Karbon S at Amazon.co.uk (£23.99) | Amazon.com ($11)
Price: £29.99
Lifeproof Nuud
There are loads of cases out there that offer high-level protection, but they’re not always waterproof – Lifeproof’s Nuud is. The case can be submerged in up to 2 metres of water, making it a great option if you’re constantly in the great outdoors or have a habit of dropping your phones in the toilet. It’s clear, too, so you’ll always get to view the sleek profile of the SE, and you get access to all the phone’s buttons and ports.
Buy Now: Lifeproof Nuud at Amazon.co.uk from (£69.99) | Amazon.com ($100)
Price: £79.99
Mophie Juice Pack Air
The annoying thing about most smartphones is that their batteries drain so quickly. But with battery pack cases, you can avoid this while protecting your phone. Mophie offers several such cases for the SE, although the Juice Pack Air is the best option if you don’t want to add much bulk to your handset. It has a four-light status indicator to let you know how much battery is left, and the case offers protection from top to bottom. The soft touch coating adds for a nice effect too. You can get it in white, black, gold and red.
Buy Now: Mophie Juice Pack Air at Amazon.co.uk (£22) | Amazon.com ($12.99)
Price: £89.99
Ted Baker Susu
The British fashion house offers a wide variety of iPhone SE cases sporting designs from its latest catwalk collection. Susu is one of our favourites, covered in light spring colours and a print of flowers. It covers the back and sides of the SE, and has a soft-touch coating for comfort.
Buy Now: Ted Baker Susu at Amazon.co.uk (£4) | Amazon.com ($32)
Price: £29.99
Twelve South
The fact is, cases aren’t always about protection. They’re also a great way to show off your personality, and you can do that with the Twelve South for the SE. It’s a wallet-style case that looks like a book, which will suit anyone who’s after something a bit different. It has a practical purpose too, housing four credit card slots and a pocket where you can store some cash notes.
Buy Now: Twelve South at Amazon.co.uk (£42.99) | Amazon.com ($46.99)
Price: £49.99
Griffin Reveal
While it’s important to have a case on your phone to ensure it doesn’t get damaged, that doesn’t mean it has to be anything bulky or ugly. Griffin’s Reveal is perfect if you want something simple but that still offers maximum protection, made from a piece of polycarbonate and sporting rubber edges to fight against bumps. It’ll only add an extra 1.6mm thickness to your phone, and the back is clear, so the Apple logo is constantly exposed. Because you want people to know you have an iPhone, right?
Buy Now: Griffin Reveal at Amazon.co.uk (£9) | Amazon.com ($6)
Price: £14.99
Have you seen great cases for the iPhone SE? Let us know in the comments below.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
