I've had an iPhone since the 3GS back in 2009, and I've always made sure that, as soon as I received my shiny new phone, I bought a case for it. After all, these are expensive devices, so it's vital to protect them from the daily rigors that life can throw at them. But I've never bought an official Apple case. Why? Because they're so darned pricey and, to be honest, really don't seem to be anything particularly special to demand their top-dollar price tag.
The third-party alternatives, on the other hand, come in all manner of interesting designs. There are eye-catching patterns that exude personality, ultra-thin ones woven from the same hi-tech material as bullet-proof jackets, models with built-in kick-stands for watching video in comfort, and cases with a twist-lock for secure attachment to running armbands, bike handlebars, and a whole lot more besides. Heck, I have written a whole buying guide to the best iPhone 17 cases I've personally tried and tested for my latest baby.
