It’s new iPhone season, and with it comes the hunt for the new perfect case. As usual, there are a plethora to choose from. Unlike most years, however, not all cases let you take full advantage of the newest iPhone 16 (and 16 Pro) hardware.
That’s because the number of cases available at launch that let you use the full functionality of the new Camera Control button without compromise is shockingly low.
About two weeks or so before every new iPhone launch, I start getting emails from case manufacturers, toting their coming product. Based on factory samples or early specification rumors, these cases usually fit the new iPhones just fine… until this year’s event when Apple unveiled hardware functionality that no 3-D printed blank would reveal.
The last time this happened was with MagSafe. The first few months, it was apparent that only a select few manufacturers had been given information about the new charging and accessory standard, with those early cases being “MagSafe compatible” in that they didn’t completely block the magnet on the iPhone.
Something similar has happened again with the 16’s Camera Control button. The new button on the right-side of the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro gives users easy access to the Camera app, letting them activate and take pictures with a press. It’s also a capacitive button that allows for smart interactions via a swipe.
It’s this later bit that’s caught manufacturers on their back foot, There are plenty of cases being sold right now that are “Camera Control compatible” in that they have an awkward cutout over the capture button and technically let you use it. But anyone who’s tried to consistently activate their phone’s hardware buttons through case cutouts understands why this is an imperfect solution.
The better method is one that Apple and one trusted manufacturer is employing – a sapphire crystal button that transmits signals from your finger to the Camera control. There are just a couple of third party cases as well that got enough advanced notice to fully-enable their first wave of cases.
In the coming weeks, we’ll see plenty of second wave cases that employ this or something similar, as case makers get their hands on actual iPhone 16 units. But for now, if you’re looking for 100% camera control in your iPhone 16 case, here are your choices.
One note: unless noted, these cases are available for all iPhone 16 and 16 Pro series devices.
Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe
Of course Apple is leading the charge with their own case. As usual, it’s more expensive than cases of similar materials, but it has the added benefit of being 100% compatible with the new hardware. There’s no weird gaps or slightly-snug fits, this is one case that will fit exactly every time. Apple’s silicone cases feel great in hand, nice and soft, with a microfiber lining. It also has a raised bumper, so your screen is safe even if you drop your iPhone 16 face-down.
Plus, being that they knew exactly what was coming, the Apple Silicone case is fully compatible with the new Camera Control button. It has a sapphire crystal button that lets you control the smart functions of the button as if you were using the button on the phone itself. Plus there are fun little touches, like a color-matched toast (sorry “magical attach experience”) when you connect the case—no other case manufacturer gets access to that bit of Apple magic. These are also the only cases that are guaranteed to match the new iPhone colorways exactly. For $49, you could certainly make worse choices when it comes to protecting your iPhone. Check them out at the Apple Store.
Apple Clear Case with MagSafe
Of course for some, color matching your iPhone is secondary to showing off your actual phone. For those, Apple has made a completely clear MagSafe case with the same sapphire crystal Camera Control button of the Silicone case. Apple does better than most when it comes to yellowing of their clear cases, It’s really only after a year of constant use that you can really see the accumulation of grime…a perpetual factor when it comes to clear cases, No matter how “long lived” or “crystal clear” they claim to be, I haven’t used a clear case yet whose bumpers aren’t a sickly yellow after 12 months.
The Clear Case is more rigid in hand and a more pronounced bumper around the edge, which is probably why Apple has a cutout at the bottom so that you can easily swipe from the bottom of your screen without being impeded. It’s also $49 at the Apple Store.
Otterbox Lumen Series with Camera Control
I really like Otterbox’s first wave of clear cases for the iPhone 16. They have a pop of complimentary color on the sides, the area that’s most prone to yellowing. What’s also nice is that they’re an Apple partner, so they also have the sapphire crystal Camera Control button. Being an Otterbox product, they have incredible drop protection, 3 times the military standard. Apple, notably, doesn’t play in the drop protection game, never providing hard numbers for their drop protection. They’re also manufactured with 75% post-consumer content, a number that was frankly unheard in previous years. It’s great to see this level of recycling happening just as a matter of fact.
You’ll pay more for the extra protection, $69.95 on the Otterbox site. Those of you hoping for a completely clear case from Otterbox with Camera Control, just hold on because they’re coming soon.
Beats for iPhone 16 (and Pro)
Being a part of Apple it’s no surprise that Beats has a fully compatible Camera Control case with a sapphire crystal button. What is surprising is that they’re making a case at all! This is Beats by Dre’s first foray into cases and it’s impressive. Even something as pedestrian as a hardshell black case for the iPhone 16 Pro Max gets a lovely pop of color with a contrasting microfiber lining. It really makes the case stand out…but only when your iPhone isn’t in it. I do wish that Beats had extended that flash of color to the buttons so that you could still enjoy it even when the case was in use.
The scratch-resistant hardshell is lovely to look at, but is a bit of a fingerprint magnet. That said, I like the complimentary colorways and think that these are some of the most refined cases in the first wave. They’re matchy without being “matchy.” What’s even nicer? You won’t pay more for the Beats name, they’re $49 on the Beats site.
Supcase UB MAG Stand
I give a lot of credit to Supcase. Despite not being on the shortlist of manufacturers that had advanced information about the capacitive Camera Control button, they had enough advanced information to develop a button that transmits signals via a conductive copper sensor. It works really well, too, just as good as Apple’s sapphire crystal button. I might even like Supcase’s Camera Control button a little more because it’s slightly raised instead of flush with the case like the preceding cases, making it easier to use without hunting for it.
The MAG stand also has a bit of hidden functionality, with the MagSafe magnet doing double-duty as a case stand. It’s a clever bit of hidden utility that doesn’t add any thickness to the case. The case is rated for a 15-ft. drop and has pronounced raised front bumpers to protect your screen. But the best feature may be the price: an impressively low $24.99 on the Supcase site.
Spigen Ultra Hybrid T
One last-minute surprise entry to the Camera Control club is the Ultra Hybrid T from Spigen. Using a combination of materials to give you a tactile feel and smart functionality, this is another case where you can find the button easily. It’s made of clear plastic like nearly every other case on this list, which makes me think that manufacturing the capacitive button was easier with that material. Still, it promises to be durable and long-lasting with military drop protection and blue resin to combat yellowing. This one is just for the iPhone Pro and Pro Max. You can grab it on Amazon for $28.99 (down from its MSRP of $54.99).
