Best phone cases in Australia 2024

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There are lots of different designs and phone case styles to choose from, especially if you have a more popular device like an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S device — however it may be harder to find cases for certain phones, particularly cheaper devices. Read on for our wrap-up of some of the best phone cases on the market.

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The best durable or rugged phone cases

Whether you’re prone to dropping your device, or want to ensure your phone is well-protected, there is a big market for durable cases that protect your phone from damage.

Here are some of the best phone cases with durability — also referred to as rugged cases — currently on the market.

Otterbox Defender phone case

The ultimate in protection and practicality, the Otterbox Defender case includes port protection, raised edges to protect the screen and camera bump, along with significant drop protection and multi-layer defence and wireless charging compatibility. This case is priced around $99 AUD.

UAG Pathfinder phone case

Includes three layers of protection in a slim-yet-sturdy case with up to 4.8m drop protection and oversized buttons for easy use. It’s wireless charging compatible and includes a raised screen surround. Priced around $50 – $80 AUD.

The best practical phone cases

If you like your phone case with a little functionality, there are plenty of options on the market. Whether it’s a holster clip for keeping your phone secure, a built-in kickstand so you can watch videos hands-free, or with wallet functionality, if you’re looking for the best phone case with practical inclusions, there are plenty of options available.

Here are a couple of practical phone cases currently available on the market.

EFM Monaco Wallet phone case

If you like the wallet-style phone cases, the EFM Monaco Wallet case is available for a range of premium iPhone and Samsung phones. It includes three slots for your cards with RFID protection, is drop tested up to six metres, is also wireless charge compatible, and is injected with antimicrobial treatment to kill 99.99% of microbes. Prices vary between device compatibility, around $49 AUD and up to $100 AUD.

Bellroy 3 Card phone case

Combining functionality with minimalism, the Bellroy 3 Card Leather Phone Case features a hidden magnetic closure that hides up to three cards in the microfibre-lined niche. The magnetic closure could also double as a kickstand. Prices vary between iPhone models, with iPhone 15 series cases around $119 AUD.

The best clear phone cases

If you prefer to show off your phone’s back with a clear case, there are plenty of options on the market. Some are fairly lightweight and slim, while others might include a bit of extra protection or functionality.

Here are some clear phone cases currently on the market.

Otterbox Symmetry phone case

While it might not be as full on in the protection space as Otterbox’s phone cases usually are, the Symmetry Case in clear still includes drop protection with 3x as many drops as military standard. The case features raised edges for screen and camera bump protection, has antimicrobial properties and it’s made of over 50% recycled plastic. It’s available for a range of phone models (and includes other options such as glitter), and is priced at around $69.95 AUD.

EFM Alta Case Armour with D30 Crystalex phone case

EFM has a range of clear phone cases, including a smoke-style clear case, but its D30 version with Crystalex offers not only a clear case, but one made from the world’s most protective transparent material. It also features an ultra-slim design, has been drop tested up to 3.6m and has been injected with an antimicrobial treatment that is meant to kill up to 99.99% of microbes. It’s available for a range of phone models with prices around $49 AUD, although prices may vary between phone models.

The best pretty phone cases

Phone cases don’t have to be boring. If you like to inject some colour, glitter or just general prettiness into your life, choosing a phone case with a nice design, colour or feature can make all the difference, especially if the phone itself doesn’t have the most interesting back design or colour.

Here is a selection of phone cases if you’re looking for something better looking than a plain case.

Case Mate Rifle Paper Co phone cases

A brand known for its pretty floral designs, Rifle Paper Co designs are featured on a range of products including stationary and tech accessories, with brand Case Mate producing the phone and tech accessories. If you can’t get enough of florals and want to pretty up your phone, there’s a range of different designs to choose from with premium Samsung and iPhone options to choose from. Prices can vary between cases for different phone models and from different retailers, from around the $50-$80 AUD mark and up.

Kate Spade phone cases

Fashion house Kate Spade is another brand that also produces phone cases, with designs available for a range of premium phones. In addition to standard cases, there are also folio/wallet style cases and options with card pouches on the back. Phone cases vary in price between designs, with options around the $90 AUD price point and up.

Compare mobile phones

If you’re looking for a new smartphone, you can either buy your device outright or on a plan. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all offer a wide range of smartphones on a plan, with popular devices from Apple, Samsung, Google, OPPO and more. The below table features a range of plans for popular iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones. Switch between the tabs to compare different devices. You can use our phone plan comparison tool to compare a wider range of mobile phones.

Do I need a phone case?

Not everyone wants or needs a phone case, while others might find it a must-have accessory. If you’re very active or have a very active job, such as working in construction, having a phone case can ensure your device is protected from damage, and some might even have functionality such as a clip to keep it from falling from your pocket. For others, a phone case with a wallet feature might be more useful, while others just want something to make their phone look nice.

Assess whether you need a phone case for durability, practicality or purely for aesthetics to help determine if you need a phone case at all, and if so, which type you want.

Phone case brands

Most phone brands will produce their own phone cases. This can be useful if you’re buying your phone direct from the brand and you just want something that will fit your device and that you’ll have at the same time as your new phone.

In addition to the phone brands, there are plenty of other brands that make phone accessories, including cases. There are also some websites where artists will contribute their art to be featured on a phone case, while some well known designer, lifestyle and accessory brands might also produce phone cases.

Some well known phone case brands include:

• Apple
• Casemate
• Casetify
• Cygnett
• EFM
• Gear4
• Kate Spade
• Lifeproof
• OPPO
• Otterbox
• Pelican
• Samsung
• Speck
• UAG

What to look for in a phone case

As we’ve already covered in this guide, not all phone cases are created equal. While there are plenty of brands and case types on the market, everyone will have different needs. Choosing the best phone cases for your needs also depends heavily on what phone you have, as not all phone brands and models will have cases available. Typically the big brands and premium devices will have the widest choices available, so if you’re looking for the best iPhone cases in Australia, or a case for the Samsung Galaxy S series, chances are, you’ll have a wide range to choose from.

There are several things you might want to consider before buying a phone case.

Design

For some people, finding a phone case that reflects their personal style is the most important part to choosing a phone case. You might prefer to look for a plain or clear case if you want the phone’s backing to show through.

Others might prefer to look for a case that doesn’t add too much bulkiness and therefore might choose to look for a slimmer phone case. Some cases might also be designed with better grip or with anti-slip materials.

Durability

Anyone prone to dropping their phone or working in environments where their phone might get dirty, might prefer to look into a more durable phone case, sometimes called ‘rugged’ phone cases.

There are cases out there specifically designed to withstand drops from great heights, protect the phone’s ports from getting dusty, and much more. If you’re regularly in a situation where you’re at risk of dropping or damaging your phone, looking for a case with good durability and protection might be your first point of research.

Functionality

In addition to how a phone looks and its durability, there are also cases out there with added functionality. Some cases might include clips or holsters so you can secure your phone to your belt/pocket/etc.

Other cases might include some wallet functionality, such as card slots in a folio-style design, or a rear pocket that can hold cards, such as a travel card or credit card. There are also some phone cases that include a kickstand so you can use your phone hands-free, which is especially useful if you like to watch videos without holding your phone.

Price

Phone cases can vary greatly in price. A simple jelly case could be as cheap as $10 or so, while a designer brand case, or one with additional durability or functionality, can set you back over $100. If you’re after a cheap case to add a little bit of scratch and drop protection or just a little bit more grip, you might need to set some realistic expectations on the design or any additional features.

Consider your needs and be willing to compromise

When you’re choosing the best phone case for your needs, your decision could be based on one or more of the above criteria. However, it’s not often that a phone case will tick all the boxes. While you might want a phone case in a certain colour or with a certain design, if you need a more durable case, you might need to compromise on how the phone case looks. Likewise, if additional functionality is important to you, such as a folio/wallet-style case, you might not get the same durability as a hard phone case offers. Keep in mind that some cheaper phones might not have many — if any — choices for phone cases. For that reason, some brands include a clear jelly case in the box with the phone, which might be your only option.