Although some of us like to play it a little riskily and use the best smartphones bare, most people put a case on their phone as soon as they buy it. However, there's a choice you have to make: do you want a thin and light case or a rugged and protective one? There are certainly pros and cons to each, and with how expensive the newest iPhones are, you won't want to make the wrong choice. Whether you've got an iPhone 16 or the highest-end iPhone 16 Pro Max, these are the reasons to slap a rugged case on your device.

This article was produced in partnership with Supcase, but its contents were not shown to the company beforehand. All content is written independently and meets Android Police's stringent editorial standards.

3 Rugged cases are packed with features

MagSafe, kickstands, and built-in screen protectors are just a few examples

The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro case as reviewed on the Google Pixel 8a — the same case model is available for the iPhone 16 series.

A lot of cases delicately toe the line between making the thinnest case and making a case protective enough to keep your phone safe. With such tight tolerances, there is little room for extra features, save for MagSafe connectivity. The cool thing about rugged cases is they feature add-ons that you'd never see in a hyper-thin case, and they're useful. A good example of this is the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro case, which I reviewed for the Google Pixel 8a.

Of course, it's packed with protection, including a rubber cover for the USB-C port. Then, there's a built-in kickstand, which lets you prop up your iPhone 16 wherever you are. You also get a screen protector built right into the case for full display protection. That's just what the Supcase option offers, but rugged cases generally provide more than their thin counterparts. For example, the Peak Design Everyday Case adds a SlimLink square for connection with accessories and tether points for straps. The "Loop" variant gives you a finger loop plus everything you get with the stock Everyday Case.

Put simply, if features are what you're after, a rugged case will blow the competition out of the water.

2 Rugged cases offer full-coverage protection

The display, corners, and camera bumps are taken care of

Not every case for the iPhone 16 will offer full-coverage protection. In fact, now that the Camera Control button exists, more case manufacturers than ever are adding a cutout for that pressure-sensing and gesture-capable button. I tried the new Beats case for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, and it's great, but it leaves the entire bottom rail of the phones — including the USB-C port and speakers — exposed.

By comparison, rugged cases attempt to cover every part of your phone while placing extra protection on the most important areas. For example, the Casetify Bounce case pictured above adds large, flexible, and shock-absorbing rubber pads to the corners of the iPhone 16, where impact is most likely. Most rugged cases feature raised edges that protrude above the screen and camera bump, and this means your display and lenses aren't coming into contact with as many things that can cause scratches.

Rugged phone cases each have their own defining characteristics. Some are made of hard plastic, others soft TPU plastic, and many use a mix of both. Others have built-in screen protectors. What they all have in common is maximum protection and durability.

1 Rugged cases can save you from costly repairs

Without AppleCare+, iPhone 16 repairs would cost a fortune

Most of all, rugged phone cases aim to save you from having to pay for a costly repair. I won't say that buying a rugged case will absolutely prevent cracks, scratches, and other damage, because that isn't true. However, a rugged case paired with a screen protector will give you the best shot at keeping your phone in good condition. That's important, because the iPhone 16 starts at $800 and the most expensive iPhone 16 Pro Max configuration costs $1,600.

Repair prices will vary for each model and the type of damage. For an iPhone 16 Pro Max with a cracked screen and back glass, the repair fee is $500 at Apple. That's not the kind of money that anyone wants to spend on an unexpected repair. And yes, even titanium phones can break.

Compared to the cost of a rugged case — a good Supcase will cost around $30, with rugged Spigen cases costing as much as $60 — a repair is much more expensive than taking preventative measures. I'd still recommend users consider AppleCare+, which can be purchased as a monthly subscription that can be canceled at any time and sets the maximum repair deductible at $99. But a high-quality rugged case is still a fairly inexpensive way to add a ton of protection to your new iPhone 16.

👁 A lineup of Spigen cases on a bench.
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Who are rugged phone cases for?

For people who don't want to add thickness to their smartphones, rugged cases are not a good option. With that being said, there are plenty of reasons why someone might find the extra bulk that comes with a rugged case to be valuable. You get extra features, full-coverage protection, and have the best chance of avoiding a costly repair.

  • Supcase UB Grip case for iPhone 16

    Supcase has a rugged and feature-packed case in the UB Grip. It has the durable and beefy exterior the brand is known for, plus a MagSafe ring that doubles as a kickstand and finger grip. Plus, it features a simplistic one-piece construction and a stunning angular design. Even better, it comes with a camera control button that matches the pressure and feel of the original button, while retaining touch information like sliding gestures.

  • Supcase UB Grip case for iPhone 16 Pro Max

    The UB Grip case from Supcase blends top-notch protection, style, and feature set. The semi-transparent design can show off the iPhone 16 Pro Max model you chose, while the thick build protects it. Plus, it has a one-piece design and a MagSafe kickstand that doubles as a holder ring. Even better, it comes with a camera control button that matches the pressure and feel of the original button, while retaining touch information like sliding gestures.