Best iPhone 7 cases of 2023: how to protect your older iPhone

The iPhone 7 may be a little long in the tooth having debuted in 2016, but that means there are thousands of cases for it on the market. We’ve picked out the very best iPhone 7 cases below.

Whether you’re hunting around for something to improve your phone’s style, customize it just a bit, or to encase it in solid protective layers, there are lots of options at every price point.

Apple doesn’t sell the iPhone 7 any more, but if you can find one elsewhere at a decent price there’s still good reason to pick one up – it’s affordable, and it supports iOS 15, Apple’s latest version of its mobile operating system.

Another benefit is that thanks to the iPhone 8 and iPhone SE 2020 being the same dimensions as the iPhone 7, there is still a constant stream of cases coming out. Read on for our pick of the best iPhone 7 cases currently on the market.

These are products that we haven’t had in our test labs, but based on our experts’ opinion and knowledge of the most reputable brands around, we think these are worth looking at.

Our selections, ranked with newer additions at the top, take into account online reviews, brand reputation, product capability, or unique features, to help you pick through the maze of choices available to you.

Best iPhone 7 cases of 2023 in full:

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(Image credit: Apple)

1. Apple iPhone 7 Silicone Case

Slim and official

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Good quality

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Slim build

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Pricey for a basic case

Above many things, the iPhone 7 is a slim beast – that’s part of its appeal. It is a small handset, and therefore a blessing for those with smaller hands. Bulky cases can detract from this, but the official Apple Silicone Case is pleasingly slim.

Boasting a grippy material which also improves resistance to scratches, shocks and falls, and available in a variety of color choices, this is an attractive no-fuss option for those looking for simple protection and decent looks.

(Image credit: Syncwire)

2. Syncwire UltraRock Case for iPhone 7

A cheap way to keep your iPhone safe

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Plain

Taking the idea of no-fuss to its logical conclusion, we enter the large and sometimes dangerous land of the ultra-budget phone case.

Mostly these are chunky plastic affairs that hold onto the various oils of the human hand with gusto, but there are nonetheless some worth considering if price is your main concern.

The Syncwire UltraRock is solid, dependable and will offer reasonable protection from scuffs, scrapes and drops – but don’t expect more than that.

(Image credit: OtterBox)

3. OtterBox Universe Case for iPhone 7

A multitude of mods

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Very customizable

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Very different

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Bulky

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Not cheap

Sometimes simple cuts it – when nothing more is needed than protection, there are many phone cases which fit the bill.

But sometimes a little more is needed, sometimes you might want something that’s a little left-field, and the Universe by OtterBox is just that.

Offering protection and decent looks, it also features a mad, swappable module system. A battery, a card reader, camera parts and more can be added to augment the iPhone experience. This is one for those looking for something different in their life. You can buy it direct from OtterBox (opens in new tab).

(Image credit: Jimmycase)

4. Jimmycase iPhone 7 Wallet Case

Slim and practical

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Space for cash and cards

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Comes in lots of colors

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Your cash is visible

Options for those who like to bundle their cards and cash with their smartphone in a case tend to be mostly of one persuasion – the foldable wallet case.

While these are practical, they have trade-offs in terms of the relatively cumbersome rear, however there are certain options which keep a slim profile as well as providing practical storage.

The endlessly customizable Jimmycase wallet case is one such example. With space for cash and cards on the rear, it also provides protection from drops, shocks and falls and looks good doing so. It’s available directly from Jimmycase (opens in new tab).

5. Spigen Tough Armor iPhone 7/8 Case

A tough case that doubles as a stand

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Inexpensive protection

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Built-in kickstand

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Pricier cases may protect better

Spigen’s Tough Armor series aims to provide solid protection at a low price. Its flexible TPU body envelops the phone, while a polycarbonate plate layers protection on the back. 

The latter even has a built-in kickstand if you like watching media on your phone. The Spigen Tough Armor [2nd Generation] iPhone 7/8 case is available on Amazon here (opens in new tab).

6. Caseology iPhone 7 Parallax Case

Cool pattern and protection

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Stylish pattern

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Multi-stage protection

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Budget gold looks

The Caseology iPhone 7 Parallax case has a neat design and attractive burgundy-on-gold look for those who want to dress up their phone a little differently than their peers. It’s got multiple layers to help protect your phone from drops from plenty of angles.

It’s decent protection and good looks at an affordable price – perfect for your less-expensive iPhone 7. Pick up the Caseology Parallax case on Amazon here (opens in new tab).

7. Dockem Synthetic Leather Sleeve

A case you can hide

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Shows off your phone

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No protection when phone is in use

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Fake leather

Most people would probably rather keep their phone unadorned by a case, particularly when their phone is as stylish as the iPhone 7. That’s why a sleeve can be a good option, as it keeps your iPhone protected while it’s in your bag or pocket, but shows it off in full when you’re using your phone.

This Dockem sleeve also stands out thanks to its attractive faux-leather design and its low price tag, though of course, like any other sleeve it won’t protect your phone while you’re using it, so this isn’t one for the clumsy.

8. Ranvoo Aluminum Bumper Case

Almost invisible

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Aluminum finish

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Matches the color of your phone

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Minimal protection

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Not quite as premium as the iPhone itself

Your iPhone 7 might be metal, but most cases aren’t, which means you’re inevitably left covering it in cheaper plastic, or pricey but still different leather.

There are some exceptions though, such as this Ranvoo bumper, which although plastic on the inside has a layer of aluminum on the outside, and it comes in all the same colors as the iPhone 7 itself.

As it’s just a bumper rather than a full case the back of your phone is left uncovered and the bumper itself is almost invisible – unless you choose a color that contrasts your phone, rather than matches it.

The skeletal nature of the bumper means it’s not the most protective thing around, but the edges are raised, so even if your phone hits the ground on the front or back it should remain safe as long as the surface it collides with is flat.

9. Uprosa Case

Taking you under the microscope

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Unique designs

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Boring build

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Overly showy

The construction of Uprosa’s cases is entirely pedestrian, as they’re simply made of flexible plastic. However, their designs are something else.

Uprosa’s case graphics come from images submitted by researchers and science students, whose job it is to look at stuff under microscopes, so the images you see on these cases are shots taken using microscope photography. Here’s the description of the ‘flamingo’ design seen in the image:

“The same chemical (citric acid) that makes a lemon tart forms colliding pink oceanic waves through the lens of a microscope.” Brian Cox would approve.

10. Griffin Survivor Clear Case

A tough case that doesn’t hide your iPhone

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Tough

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Shows off your phone

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Plastic build

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Chunky bumpers

A case is always a balancing act between making your phone look as it should and keeping it protected. The Griffin Survivor Clear has a shot at gaming the system, with clear walls and built-up bumpers designed to take the force of any impacts while keeping the look intact.

Sure, you can tell there’s a case on your iPhone, no denying it, but at least you can see the color of aluminum you chose underneath. Griffin says the shell has 6H hardness, which is as hard as some tempered glass, and provides great scratch resistance.

The case can also take drops of 1.2m, and as it doesn’t cost a bomb you shouldn’t feel too bad about replacing the Survivor should an unfortunate incident occur. Better than a bashed-up iPhone, right?

11. Belkin Sport-Fit Case

A case built specifically for runners

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Good for runners

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Affordable

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Only comes in two colors

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Won’t be your main case

Here’s an iPhone 7 case for a particular niche: the runner. It’s a neoprene armband case that lets you take your phone out for a jog without a) holding the thing or b) having it move around in your pocket.

Unless you go on fairly long runs where taking a phone is a good idea anyway, the best reason to get a Sport-Fit is to use your phone as a GPS tracking tool, using an app like RunKeeper.

The combination effectively turns your phone into the equivalent of a fully featured GPS sport watch. The case can also hold a debit/credit card, meaning you only need to find somewhere to stash your keys. And earrings, perhaps?

12. OtterBox Defender

An old favorite for a new phone

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Lots of protection

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Port protectors

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Rugged design

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Chunky

We’ve been using OtterBox Defender cases on and off for years now: they’re veterans of the scene. While they add bulk to your phone, their aim is to offer complete protection that’ll leave your handset looking fresh 12 months down the line, and for a reasonable price too.

They use a rubber inner cover, a hard plastic outer and an inbuilt screen protector, only leaving the Apple logo and camera on the back somewhat exposed to the elements.

While the iPhone 7 is already waterproof, there are port protectors too. These will stop any muck clogging up your ports, perfect if you really do treat your phone a bit rough.

13. Spigen Slim Armor CS Case

Secure your phone and card

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Shock-absorbing

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Card holder

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Hides phone design

Spigen’s Slim Armor CS case for the iPhone 7 is a popular one, and the numerous color options for the hard shell can help it match the color of your iPhone.

It features a soft and hard shell for extra protection for your phone. And, a hidden credit card case will let you carry up to two cards in case you don’t like dragging your wallet or purse everywhere. See the Spigen Slim Armor CS case for iPhone 7 at Amazon here (opens in new tab).

14. OtterBox Strada

Classy and protective

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Premium design

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All-around protection

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Expensive

If you want a case that doesn’t sacrifice the premium look of your iPhone 7, then the Otterbox Strada case is a good pick. It combines Otterbox’s multi-later protection into a folio-style case with a leather exterior.

The case can hold a credit card, and thanks to the folio design, the screen of your iPhone 7 will get extra protection from falls.  See the Otterbox Stada for iPhone 7 at Amazon here (opens in new tab).

15. Apple iPhone 7 Smart Battery Case

A case that fixes the iPhone 7’s biggest problem

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Keeps your phone juiced up

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Reasonably protective

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Very bulky

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Only comes in black or white

One of just a couple of problems with the iPhone 7 is that its battery life isn’t great. If you don’t fancy carrying around an external battery pack 24/7, this case can help.

It’s an official Apple accessory that shoehorns a 2,365mAh battery into a smooth silicone case, roughly doubling the iPhone 7’s stamina in real terms. The downside is that it gives your iPhone a humpback, the battery unit sticking out from the casing. There’s also a ‘lip’ at the bottom that further spoils the phone’s lines.

Battery cases aren’t for everyone, but this one is smarter than most, with clever management of when the phone is powered by its own battery and that of the case.

You also might want to check out the best iPhone 8 cases and iPhone 8 Plus cases (opens in new tab), the best Apple Watch screen protectors (opens in new tab), and the best iPhone screen protectors (opens in new tab).

In addition, check out the best iPhone SE cases (opens in new tab), and best iPhone 12 Pro Max cases (opens in new tab).