Apple’s iPhone 13 Pro Max is the largest, most technologically advanced mobile phone in its vast selection of devices. But it also comes with a hefty price tag, and if you aren’t careful, your phone can have a scratch or dent before you know it.
The phone has a 12-megapixel camera, making it the perfect pocket accessory for holiday trips or some time in the woods. But when you venture out into the wild outdoors, more factors can contribute to damaging your phone than in the city. A tough iPhone 13 Pro Max case is the best option to keep your phone safe and digital memories intact.
When you drop your phone, the chances are good that it will first make contact with a surface through the corners. It’s this angled pressure that often shatters the tempered glass display.
A tough iPhone 13 case has reinforced corners to absorb the impact and dissipate the shock waves away from the screen. The reinforcement varies between models, as some use extra foam or plastic while others create an air pocket to cushion the blow.
If you want maximum protection, it isn’t enough to just take care of the sides and the back plate. You must ensure that the display doesn’t scratch or crack. That is where a case with a built-in screen protector comes in handy.
The film is attached to the case to create a defensive barrier. This prevents fingerprints from showing, dust that can cause scratches, and everyday handling. It’s made from either touch-sensitive plastic or a thin layer of additional tempered glass.
You don’t want to remove the case every time you must charge your phone, and the closed-off ports can be challenging to open. Whether a rugged case or not, you should look for phone protection compatible with Apple’s MagSafe chargers.
If the case is too thick, the wireless chargers can’t make a connection with the phone. But compatible cases have an extra magnet to enhance the phone’s pickup radius. This means you can charge your iPhone through a wireless charger without fiddling with cables or removing the case.
A screen protector can prevent dust from settling on the display, but you must ensure that dirt can’t get into the phone’s casing and exposed ports. Another enemy of the iPhone is water, which can quickly disable your screen, speakers or charging ports.
The toughest cases create an enclosure around the iPhone 13, so none of those things can damage it. This is especially important for the charging port and speakers, often sealed with rubber plugs.
Rokform Rugged iPhone 13 Pro Max Case
With a sleek carbon fiber look, this case is made from high-impact polycarbonate armor and reinforced corners. The dual-layer system includes a built-in screen protector that exceeds Military Grade Drop Test Standards. It has a built-in RokLock Twist Lock System so that you can attach it securely to a vehicle.
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Otterbox Defender Series Screenless Edition
Otterbox is well known for its rugged cases, and the Defender is excellent proof. It has a solid inner shell that securely clips onto an outer slipcover to create a sturdy enclosure. All the exposed ports are blocked from dust, dirt and lint. The barrier around the outer edge is raised, so the display doesn’t come in contact with a surface.
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XBO Heavy-Duty Military Grade iPhone 13 Pro Max Case
For a better grip, this case has a metal finger ring that can rotate 360 degrees. The robust case has reinforced corners and passed industry tests against shocks and drops. The edges around the display and camera lens are raised to protect them.
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Goton Armor Case for iPhone 13 Pro Max
A slider on the back of this case protects the camera lens when not in use. There is also a rotating finger ring for additional grip, which acts as a built-in kickstand. The corners are strengthened against drops, and the edges are raised.
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Spigen Mag Armor for iPhone 13 Pro Max
This robust case has added depth for additional shock protection and a strong magnet to make it compatible with Apple’s MagSafe wireless chargers. The corners are reinforced through the company’s Air Cushion Technology to absorb shocks better.
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CloudValley Shockproof Protective Case for iPhone 13 Pro Max
This case has a sliding camera cover on the back that protects the lens from dust and scratches. The case’s corners have added cushioning to minimize the impact from a drop, while the edges around the sides are raised. While the case is robust, it is thin enough to make it compatible with wireless chargers. The back of the case has a textured design to improve your grip and prevent slips.
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Otterbox Defender XT Case for iPhone 13 Pro Max
This case uses Otterbox’s solid design for all-around protection, as the backing is made from a robust plastic that absorbs shocks through reinforced corners. While it doesn’t have raised edges, the case sits higher on the phone’s back, letting the camera lenses sit in an indentation. This has the same protection effect as a raised edge, keeping the lenses away from direct surface contact.
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Charlie Fripp writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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