The iPhone SE is back back back again. It borrows an A15 chip from the iPhone 13 and has an upgraded camera system that allows for Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Deep Fusion, and Portrait mode. It also has 5G and runs iOS 15.
As for what's familiar, there's the 2022 phone's style itself, which looks the same as the earlier 2020 model. That means it still rocks a Home button and Touch ID.
Best of all, the new iPhone SE starts at just $429, making it a truly midrange iPhone. To protect your rare possession of an affordable iPhone, you're going to want a case. We selected more than a dozen, from barely-there thin plastic to rugged outdoorsy cases, a combination wallet, and even a selfie case with integrated LED lighting. One of these is sure to cover your needs.
BodyGuardz Trainr Pro (iPhone SE)
$9.95 at BodyGuardzSee It If your iPhone SE is your workout buddy, put it in a BodyGuardz Trainr Pro Case. The case itself is made from shock-absorbing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and the accompanying armband attaches easily.
Case-Mate LuMee Selfie Original (iPhone SE)
$25.00 at Case-MateSee It Whether you're video chatting or taking selfies, the Case-Mate LuMee Selfie Original guarantees that you look good without having to worry about a lighting setup. As for keeping your phone looking its best, the case is durable and has a raised bezel.
Casetify PP-0008 (iPhone SE)
$40.00 at CasetifySee It Whether or not you and your phone are traveling the world, you'll look like it with the Casetify PP-0008 that's part of a collab with type foundry Pangram Pangram. If you choose the impact-resistant case shown here, five colors are available, or you can select a sleeker, slightly less-protective version that sprinkles in a little glitter.
Gear4 Battersea (iPhone SE)
$49.99 at ZAGGSee It The Gear4 Battersea can stand up to a battering. It's made of D30, which is used in military and sports equipment. The soft grip helps you hold onto your iPhone SE. It's still thin, though, and allows for wireless charging.
LifeProof Fre (iPhone SE)
$89.99 at LifeProofSee It If you and your phone lead an outdoorsy lifestyle, the LifeProof Fre has you both covered. It's waterproof, snowproof, and dirtproof. The case completely covers all the sides and even the screen (don't worry, you can still access all the features of your phone).
OtterBox Otter+Pop Symmetry Series (iPhone SE)
$57.95 at OtterBoxSee It Forgetting popping a PopSocket onto your case, the Otter + Pop Symmetry Series has one built-in. This prevents protrusion and you can still swap out PopTop designs to change out the look.
OtterBox Universe Case (iPhone SE)
Pela Case Honey Hive (iPhone SE)
$59.95 at Pela CaseSee It You'll be helping the bees and the whole planet with the Pela Honey Hive Case. It's fully compostable and ships in minimal packaging. Of course, the important thing is that it protects your phone, so it's nice to know that it's been tested successfully at 20-foot drops.
Smartish Gripmunk (iPhone SE)
$14.99 at AmazonSee It The Smartish Gripmunk has been receiving rave reviews for years. It's very light but super protective, and it has a pleasantly grippy surface all around so that your phone doesn't slip out of your hands.
Snakehive Vintage Leather Wallet (iPhone SE)
$35.99 at SnakehiveSee It The iPhone SE is already slim, but if you want to lighten your load even more, combine it with your wallet in the Snakehive Vintage Leather Wallet. It carries cards and cash, has a magnetic closure, acts as a phone stand, and comes in seven colors.
Speck Presidio Perfect Clear (iPhone SE)
$39.95 at SpeckSee It Get a clear view of your iPhone SE with the Speck Presidio Perfect Clear. You'll still get lots of protection because it's made of a cushiony rubber and has a raised bezel. The case also is embedded with Microban to battle bacteria and stains.
Speck Presidio2 Grip (iPhone SE)
$44.95 at SpeckSee It The Speck Presidio Grip2 is one of the most reliable cases out there. Its back and sides are covered in no-slip grips, air capsules around the sides act like an airbag, and a raised bezel helps keep screens free of scratches and cracks.
Totallee Thin (iPhone SE)
$39.00 at TotalleeSee It You can't get any more minimalist than the Totallee Thin Case. It's millimeters thin and comes in totally transparent, matte frosted black, and matte frosted. While it won't protect your phone from big drops, it does prevent scratches and there's a raised lip around the camera.
UAG Pathfinder SE Series (iPhone SE)
$49.95 at UAGSee It UAG's Pathfinder SE Series has a strong shell and chiseled, bumpered corners to blunt the impact from falls. Its camo-and-rivet look is equally as tough.
FAQs
Otterbox Commuter
My two favorite Otterbox cases are the Commuter Series and Symmetry Series, both of which come in a variety of colors. The dual-layer Commuter Series is a little more protective and has a latch that covers the charging port. Prices vary by color.
What is the most protective case for an iPhone? ›
Our pick for the overall best rugged iPhone case is the Spigen Slim Armor (available at Amazon) , thanks to its military-grade drop protection and super-thin profile.
Is the iPhone SE drop proof? ›
"[The iPhone SE] survived one drop from 6 feet on its front and side, which is impressive. While it didn't survive a back-down drop from 6 feet, putting it in a case should help.” To that end, we've got a round-up of the best iPhone SE (2022) cases, including many that promises drop protection for the latest SE model.
Is a case necessary for iPhone SE? ›
The new iPhone SE might be Apple's cheapest iPhone, but it still has a glass front and back, which are no less prone to shattering at the first drop. Sure, it's small and easier to hold one-handed than Apple's pricier and larger phones, but using a case is a smart way to protect your investment.
Does my iPhone SE need a case? ›
While an iPhone certainly doesn't need a case, forgoing one can lead to costly repairs down the road and ultimately shorten your device's lifespan.
What is better than an OtterBox case? ›
If you like the protective factor of OtterBox cases but not necessarily the high price tag, Urban Armor Gear (UAG) is your next best bet. You might be looking at the price range and think it's way more expensive, but in most cases, UAG is roughly $20 cheaper than the RRP of its OtterBox counterparts.
Which OtterBox case is strongest? ›
The Defender Series® offers the most safeguards of any OtterBox case. And it's available for a range of smartphones and tablets. It's the only series with 3 layers of protection: a polycarbonate inner layer, a silicone outer layer and a sturdy, swiveling belt clip holster.
Are OtterBox cases still worth it? ›
The Bottom Line
Otterbox cases are not exactly the cheapest on the market — a quick look on Amazon will tell you that much. However, if you really want to make your phone last, the Otterbox is worth the money. Otterbox cases are some of the best, safest phone cases on the market.
Is LifeProof better than Otterbox? ›
The most expensive LifeProof cases will cost more than the top-tier Otterbox cases. With that in mind, the two brands remain comparable in quality and should both be considered premium, durable cases. Otterbox promotes its Defender Series heavily.
What is the best brand for iPhone cases? ›
Spigen to Nomad: The 10 best iPhone case brands in 2024
- Otterbox. Otterbox. Otterbox is best known for its Symmetry Series and Defender Series Pro. ...
- Casetify. Casetify. Incredibly varied, the amount of cases at Casetify is bordering on intimidating. ...
- Apple. Apple. ...
- Mous. Mous. ...
- Mujjo. Mujjo. ...
- Wave. Wave. ...
- Urban Armor Gear. UAG.
Hard phone cases offer superior protection & durability, and are finished with a sleek, professional exterior. Soft cases, on the other hand, offer shock absorption, comfort, and a myriad of design options, but their durability leaves much to be desired.
What does iPhone SE not do? ›
The iPhone SE does not have Night Mode, but there is Wide color support, and more, plus an LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync capabilities. The 2022 model gains Smart HDR 4 for improved contrast and skin tones, Deep Fusion for better textures, and Photographic Styles for a custom look for all your photos.
Can iPhone SE go underwater? ›
According to Apple, the iPhone Se 2 has an IP67 rating for water-resistance, which is further defined as protected up to one meter (about three feet) for 30 minutes. Therefore, the iPhone Se is not waterproof, but it is very water-resistant.
Does the iPhone SE have Gorilla Glass? ›
It's good to know that the glass panels aren't Ceramic Shield, but they are Corning made and are versions of the famous Gorilla Glass series.
What phone case can an iPhone SE use? ›
Although the older SE model from 2016 may not be compatible with the newer SE generations, the iPhone SE Gen 2 and Gen 3 share compatibility with iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 cases, making it easier for users to find the perfect case to match their style and protection preferences.
Are all iPhone SE cases the same? ›
Yes, your old iPhone 8 or iPhone SE (2020) case will fit the iPhone SE (2022) as they all use housing with absolutely the same dimensions.
How do I tell which iPhone SE I have? ›
Go to Settings > General > About. To the right of Model Number, you'll find the part number. To find the model number, tap the part number.
Which iPhone is the same size as the SE? ›
The new iPhone SE is more or less the same size as the iPhone 13 mini, but it has a much smaller screen.
