Whenever I bought a new iPhone, I also picked up one of Apple’s own leather iPhone cases. While they were pricey, they were reliable in build quality and feel. Then, this past September, alongside the new iPhone 15, Apple announced it would no longer make leather accessories, opting instead for cases and straps with recycled and renewable materials for a lower carbon footprint. As the announcement (which I respect) was made, I quickly got over the change and found optimism. I love a good hunt for a new product, so I set out to see what the rest of the field, and Apple itself, offered as alternatives.
After calling in and testing a dozen iPhone 15 Pro Max cases, I whittled the field down to six cases I’d actually recommend. All feature one must for me: there needs to be a physical button that activates the iPhone 15 Pro’s new Action button, because having to dig your finger inside a small groove isn’t a good experience. Here’s how my hunt to find the best iPhone 15 cases went, and make sure to stick around for the surprise twist ending.
The controversial new contender
Designed to fill the hole left by Apple's leather iPhone cases, the?FineWoven cases were controversial from the moment reviewers got their hands on them. Yes, this case ages similarly to a leather case, gaining marks you may or may not want, but it’s not as bad as many made it out to be. Also, I’d argue its back panel doesn’t feel cheap like some said — I think it's kind of nice. My only annoyance with this case is its frame. While it has a physical button for the Action button, the plastic rim of the FineWoven case just doesn’t feel as fine as the rest of the case, and the seam of the back panel and the edge just feels awkward. That said, this is an OK case. Don’t believe the backlash. Just get your hands on one at an Apple store to see if it’s right for you before buying one.
A perfectly good leather case for most people
Looking for a new leather case for my iPhone 15 Pro Max, I first fell for Nomad’s cases. Available with either Nomad’s own sustainably sourced full-grain leather (at $50) or vegetable-tanned leather from Horween (at $70), these cases are probably an easy call for many looking to replace Apple’s own. They meet my main requirements, with a good feel and a physical button for the Action button, and I used them for a couple of weeks with no complaints.
The Goldilocks award goes to
One of my favorite iPhone 15 Pro cases won my heart for a very simple (yet subjective) reason: Bullstrap’s leather iPhone cases just felt right to me out of the box, thanks to a supple texture. I’m sure Nomad’s cases will probably age to that correct feel, but the black Bullstrap case was closer to Apple’s leather cases than any other. That said, Bullstrap also sent over a blue case that had small coarse spots at first, which took a short amount of time to smooth out with basic use, thanks to the natural oils from my hands. Also, its camera bump isn’t as sharp as Nomad’s and there’s no bottom lip to the screen side of the case, making it super easy to swipe up from the edge of the screen. But at $89 (currently down to $75), it’s a bit pricey. They also have a super-soft interior lining, which is comparable to what you get in the Bellroy case.
For those who need more protection
At first, I was a little caught off guard by how big and chunky the Casetify Ultra Bounce Case is, especially compared to the other cases I tested. But I quickly grew a fondness for my large adult iPhone case. Its grain texture feels good when I grip while taking photos, and its corner bumpers ensure extra protection. Oh, and it’s sold in many designs, including with this slick snake look if you’re living in your own Reputation era.
A plastic case worth considering
To see how the other side lives, I also picked up a plastic case from Speck. I include it in this roundup because, despite it being made of a material I am not personally partial to, it’s pretty good. Its angled grips make it easier to hold tightly, but that might be too much for some. It’s also customizable with Speck’s ClickLock port on the back, an oval-shaped slot that allows for its many accessories such as wallet and car mount. Whenever I used my iPhone in the Presidio 2 case, I understood the appeal (while admitting it just wasn’t my speed).
The best of both worlds?
The final case I tested is Bellroy’s revised iPhone 15 Pro case (its original option didn’t have a physical button for the Action button). This eco-tanned leather case feels great, and is complimented by a small plastic bumper that runs around the rim of the case. This offers a mix of what you get with rivals; the Nomad cases are all bumper on their sides, while the Bullstrap cases are all leather. I also liked its clicky anodized aluminum buttons, which are just as good as those in Apple’s FineWoven case and the Nomad cases.
Surprise! I’m actually going caseless
When I first planned this story months ago, I thought to myself that my iPhone 15 Pro Max would wind up comfortable in either Bellroy, Nomad or Bullstrap’s cases. But then a funny thing happened when PopSocket sent over its new PopGrip for MagSafe. Before I knew what was going on, this little telescoping disc replaced a traditional case for me.?
The PopGrip’s extending plastic cone helps me get a better grip on my phone than I ever expected, and — most importantly — it doesn’t hide it. Yes, that pricey phone I spent so much money on, and feels so nice with its brushed titanium design? The PopGrip lets me actually hold and display it in all its glory. I’m already getting those “Really?” stares and questions, which i’m not surprised about. But until I need to use my AppleCare+ to repair my iPhone 15 Pro Max, I’m sticking with the PopSocket PopGrip, the case alternative I never expected to love.
