The iPhone 13 range is on sale now. Apple has released four new flagship phones again this year, with the standard model joined by Mini, Pro and Pro Max variants.
It’s the regular iPhone 13 that’s our focus here – the combination of premium features, pocketability and a £779/$799 starting price make it a great all-rounder on paper. To see how it stacks up to real-world usage, look out for our full review soon.
Apple continues to lead the way when it comes to smartphone performance, and new A15 Bionic chip looks like it’ll extend that gap. It helps power a 6.1in ‘Super Retina XDR’ display, which Apple says is 28% brighter than its predecessor. The notch has also shrunk for the first time since its introduction, allowing for some extra screen real estate.
We still don’t get official battery capacities from Apple, but the company says you’ll get an extra 2.5 hours from a single charge compared with the iPhone 12. There are also lots of new camera features, including Smart HDR 4, the new Cinematic video mode and, apparently, improved low-light performance.
Despite having a near-identical design to last year, the rear camera module is ever so slightly different to last year. That means cases from the iPhone 12 won’t fit the iPhone 13, so you’ll need to invest in new ones.
The glass and metal design means a case is highly recommended, especially if you plan on keeping the phone for a few years. Fortunately, there are many great options already available – here are our seven top picks.
Disclaimer: We haven’t been able to test all these cases for ourselves yet, but can easily recommend them based on the brand’s strong reputation and previous positive experiences.
Apple Silicone with MagSafe - Best Official Case

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It's always worth checking out the official case lineup, although Apple has kept things relatively simple this year. Alongside two Otterbox offerings exclusive to Apple, there's are also the standard Clear, Leather and Silicone cases.
The latter is the pick of the bunch for most people, providing a great balance between flexibility and protection. A soft microfibre lining keeps your phone safe from bumps and drops, while the silicone exterior adds plenty of extra grip.
Like all iPhone 13 cases sold by Apple, it's fully compatible with MagSafe. Alongside the Blue Jay model pictured, it's also available in Marigold, Clover, Chalk Pink, Abyss Blue, Pink Pomelo, Midnight and Product Red.
Nudient Thin V3 - Best Hard Shell Case

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Nudient is one of the best third-party accessory makes for the iPhone, and the third version of its Thin case doesn't disappoint.
It's an extremely simple yet effective design, with a hard propylene plastic shell and soft textile fabric on the inside. Nudient doesn't make any specific protection claims, but it feels fairly durable in-person.
As the name suggests, this case also adds hardly any bulk to your device. Nudient says it's just 1mm thick, and its stylish aesthetic doesn't detract from the iPhone 13's design.
There's also full MagSafe compatibility and loads of colours to choose from, including the Midwinter Blue pictured.
Torro Leather - Best Leather Case

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If you're in the market for a leather case, look no further than Torro. The British company has quickly built a strong reputation for high-quality cases, and its iPhone 13 offerings are no different.
Pouch, Bumper and Flip cases are all available, but the leather folio is hard to beat. The exterior is made from luxurious cowhide leather - the excellent quality is particularly evident in person.
Flipping open the magnetic clasp reveals a TPU frame specifically designed for the iPhone 13, with a microfibre lining ensuring all the fragile parts of the phone are protected. Despite this, there's still full access to all the ports and buttons.
Opposite where the phone sits, you'll find slots for your cards and notes, plus a separate pouch for storage. This makes it a great wallet replacement.
Perhaps its only drawback is the lack of MagSafe compatibility, although the Leather Wallet Case (£36.99/$52) does support it.
Both are available in the signature Black with Red Detail (pictured) and Dark Brown. You can also get the regular leather case in Tan, Red and Black.
Spigen Tough Armor - Best Rugged Case

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Spigen is one of the most recognisable brands when it comes to rugged cases, and the Tough Armor is one of its stalwarts.
This takes protection to the next level, with a polycarbonate and TPU blend helping to deliver military-grade certification. This works in tandem with Spigen's Air Cushion Technology, which dramatically reduces the impact of any drops or bumps.
On this latest iteration, Spigen has added what it calls 'extreme impact foam', which dials up that shock absorption even more.
It's still a practical case for everyday use, though, with full access to ports and buttons and a built-in kickstand for hands-free viewing.
There's wireless charging support, but MagSafe won't work on this model. A compatible version is available for $49.99, although that appears to be exclusive to the US for now.
Ted Baker Talip Mirror - Best Patterned Case

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Most cases opt for a relatively minimalist design these days, but that doesn't apply to Ted Baker. The luxury clothing brand has expanded into phone accessories in recent years, becoming known for its unique patterned offerings.
This Talip Mirror Case is one of the most eye-catching designs so far, helping your iPhone 13 to instantly stand out from the crowd. It's apparently 'Ted's latest floral print', but we can't see it going out of style anytime soon.
It's not all form over function, though. That floral print forms part of an electroplated housing shell, with an attractive gold trim emphasising its premium design. As a folio case, your iPhone 13 is also protected from all directions.
That's before we get to a decent-sized mirror on the inside, perfect for quickly checking your appearance while out and about. Plenty more Ted Baker iPhone 13 cases are available on the Proporta website.
Mous Limitless 4.0 - Best Design

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Mous launched the fourth iteration of its flagship Limitless case this year, becoming a much better iPhone companion in the process.
That's because it now supports MagSafe across the full lineup, in addition to its other excellent features. There are plenty of other dedicated MagSafe accessories available from Mous, including a charger stand, car mount and card wallet.
Protection is also something Mous prides itself on. The company's trademark AiroShock technology is a key feature of the Limitless 4.0, absorbing much of the impact of drops and bumps.
It adds hardly any bulk to the iPhone 13, too. Mous says this is its thinnest Limitless case ever - from seeing it in person, there's no reason to doubt the company here.
There are also several attractive designs to choose from. The Walnut model pictured here looks even better in real life, but you can swap it for Aramid Fibre, Bamboo, Black Leather or Speckled Fabric if you prefer.
Greenwich Blake - Best Premium Case

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If you're shopping at the high-end, look no further than this stunning case from Greenwich Design.
The Blake Leather case has been around for a while now, but with good reason - it's one of the best ways to fully protect the iPhone 13 without losing that premium design.
It has a similar form factor to the Ted Baker case above, but covers the exterior in what Greenwich calls 'the world's finest leather'. Time spent in person can't verify that specific claim, but it certainly looks and feels the part.
An interior pocket can be used to store a range of cards, while flipping the case all the way open means it's ready to be attached to a car mount. There's also full MagSafe compatibility, with a range of different colours available.
You’ve seen the cases, but what if you haven’t picked up the phone yet? Here’s where to buy all the new iPhone 13 models. We also have an iPhone 13 Pro review already live.