How to Pick the Right iPhone Case for Your Apple Smartphone

Phone cases are arguably the most important smartphone accessory. They change how your new device looks and feels and are often the only line of defense protecting your investment from becoming a shattered paperweight. For smartphone photography with Moment lenses, Moment cases are the only way to mount a Moment Mobile Lens using a unique DSLR-like interface. From ultra-thin cases designed to hold lenses in gimbal setups to daily-carry cases that protect your phone and bring a unique style, everyone has options. Below are the current Moment phone case lineup's materials, models, and differences.

1. Why Materials Matter

The materials your phone case is made out of matter. We’ve been working on perfecting bioplastics that feel good, wear well, and compost when you’re finished using them as a phone case. Many of our thin and MagSafe cases are made out of bioplastic, and we are actively working on bringing this material to our entire case lineup.

Why Bioplastic?

Bioplastic is better for the planet. On average, a phone case is used for just two years. After two years, most cases end up in a landfill, where decomposing takes between four hundred and two thousand years. We may be a small brand, but from Moment alone, hundreds of thousands of cases will essentially never biodegrade, and we weren’t okay with that.

We focused on bioplastics instead of recyclable material because most recycled materials in the USA actually end up in a landfill. City recycling programs have struggled to find buyers, and some counties have completely shut down their recycling programs. The existing ones often only accept plastic bottles, which rules out a recyclable phone case.

What is Bioplastic?

Bioplastic is a plant-based thermoplastic elastomer that is just as durable as our older materials but fully compostable. Simply put, we use plant oils instead of dinosaur-based petroleum. In our Bio Case, we add in flax husk to reduce the amount of plastic used and add air pockets to speed up the composting process (it also protects your phone better).

What does “Compostable” mean?

Our BioPlastic meets ASTM D6400-04 and E.U. EN13432 standards for compostability. It means you can toss your case in the city compost bin when you upgrade your phone. It will be 90% broken down in as little as 4 months. The resulting compost is even safe to grow food with. The case will compost in a home compost pile, which will take significantly longer.

MagSafe Compatible Cases

You can never have enough MagSafe. Inside the case, we have included a magnet array that is compatible with MagSafe products.

From chargers to third-party products to our new Moment Mounts for iPhones… this case works out of the box with any products compatible with MagSafe. To give you the most confidence, we have created mounts with an even stronger magnet array so you don’t drop your phone. We have tripod mounts, cold shoe mounts, wall mounts, stick-to-anything mounts, and car mounts. We take durability seriously. After all, what else is a good case for? Rated for drops up to 6 feet, these cases include additional internal shock-absorbing geometry to protect your phone. A series of ribs surround the phone and are specifically designed to direct force away from the device during an impact. We even leave room for you to apply a screen protector, giving you that extra comfort.

We’ve been working on perfecting bio-plastics that feel good, wear well, and reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics in your phone case. The thin case is made from a combo of polycarbonate and Bio-TPU. Therefore, it is not fully compostable, but it does reduce the amount of petroleum-based plastic used compared to a standard phone case.

2. Standard Cases

This is our bread-and-butter smartphone case. As for protection, this is our most protective case. This case was designed by and for the (clumsy, active) photographers at Moment, and it’s meant to be used every day, with or without lenses.

Protection

The case is our most protective case. It comprises more bioplastics, a polycarbonate frame, a glass-filled nylon interface, and a canvas or walnut decorative inlay. The walnut is grown in the USA and hand-cut to fit each case. Cases are extra protective thanks to a softer durometer bioplastic and thicker sidewalls with ribs to absorb impacts. 

Rated to 6 feet drop onto hardwood from all angles. 

With a screen protector: Rated to 8 feet drop onto hardwood from all angles.

Features:

• Drop-in M-Series lens interface included.
• Replaceable M-Series or T-Series Mobile Lens Mount.
• Bio-Plastic TPU Body is compostable after removing select parts.
• Super Thin: 1.5mm 
• 6-foot Drop Test Approved (tested on hardwood from all angles).
• Qi Wireless Charging Compatible (including MagSafe chargers).
• Ships in 100% post-consumer recycled packaging.
• Wrist/neck strap attachment.
• Covered by our 2-year warranty

3. MagSafe Compatible Cases

Our less is more case. A super-thin body and soft-to-the-touch texture bring the best features to our first line of cases made using partially biodegradable materials. Our M-Series and T-Series lens interface is improved with three locating points to prevent the mount from rotating in the case when you attach a lens. Plus, it has a refined lens fit, so installing a lens with less effort is easier.

The body is compostable after the polycarbonate parts are removed and can be tossed in your compost bin when you’re ready to upgrade your phone. With all that goodness, the best part is it still protects your phone from daily drops and “oh $%&^ moments.” If you love shooting on your phone and want a product made with less petroleum-based plastics, this case is for you.

Protection

We take durability seriously. after all, what else is a case good for?

Rated for drops up to 6 feet, these cases include additional internal shock-absorbing geometry to protect your phone. A series of ribs surround the phone and are specifically designed to direct force away from the device during an impact. We even leave room for you to apply a screen protector, giving you that extra comfort.

Features

• Bio-Plastic TPU Body is compostable after removing select parts.
  
• Super Thin: 1.5mm
• 6-foot Drop Test Approved (tested on hardwood from all angles).
• Qi Wireless Charging Compatible (including MagSafe chargers).
• Ships in 100% post-consumer recycled packaging.
• Wrist/neck strap attachment.
• Covered by our 2-year warranty.

4. Clear Cases

This is the clear case we’ve always wanted. It starts with a thin frame and durable build, providing the daily required protection. Our scratch-resistant coatings keep your case looking fresh. Made from premium polycarbonate with a shock-absorbing TPU frame, it’s fully equipped with our proprietary (M)Force magnets for an even better MagSafe experience. Protect your phone and show your colors with the all-new Clear Case from Moment for iPhone.

Protection

Rated for drops up to 6 feet, these cases include additional internal shock-absorbing geometry to protect your phone. A series of ribs surround the phone and are specifically designed to direct force away from the device during an impact. We even leave room for you to apply a screen protector, giving you that extra comfort.

Features

• Built-in (M)Force magnet array is MagSafe compatible

• Compatible with our Moment Mounts for MagSafe

• Works with most Qi Wireless Chargers

• 6-foot Drop Protection

• The case body is made from high-strength polycarbonate and TPU

• Our thinnest MagSafe compatible case at 1.9mm

• Ships in 100% post-consumer recycled packaging
  

• Works with Drop-In Lens Mounts (sold separately)

• Works with Screen Protectors (sold separately)

• Covered by our 2-year warranty

5. Premium Leather Cases

Built with a high-strength polycarbonate frame, each case is precision wrapped in top-grade leather with a buttery hand feel. You’ll find our proprietary (M)Force magnet array for an even better MagSafe experience. Available in four handsome colors, you can match your leather case to our matching AirPods and Apple Watch straps. 

Protection

Rated for drops up to 6 feet, these cases include additional internal shock-absorbing geometry to protect your phone. A series of ribs surround the phone and are specifically designed to direct force away from the device during an impact. We even leave room for you to apply a screen protector, giving you that extra comfort.

Features

• Built-in (M)Force magnet array is MagSafe compatible

• Compatible with our Moment Mounts for MagSafe

• Works with most Qi Wireless Chargers

• 6-foot Drop Protection

• The case body is made from high-strength polycarbonate and premium leather

• Premium microfiber inner lining

• Ships in 100% post-consumer recycled packaging

• Works with screen protectors (sold separately)

• Covered by our 2-year warranty 

6. Bio Case

Have you yet to upgrade? The Bio Case is a fully compostable case for iPhone 11 or older. It is made entirely out of plant-based, compostable material. This case is very simple, with no lens interface or strap attachment. The Bio Case is a great option for daily phone protection in an environmentally friendly package.

Protection

The Bio Case features essential protection features, including a lip to protect the phone screen when it lands face-down and enough case thickness to shield your phone from everyday drops. The bioplastic material is grippy, durable, and resilient. 

Rated to 4 feet drop onto hardwood from all angles.

Features

• Features protective walls and lip above the phone screen to provide basic protection.
• Biodegrades in 6-12 months once you put it in an active compost cycle. Don’t worry; it won’t start biodegrading until then.
• Ships in 100% recyclable materials.