How to Pick the Right iPhone Case for Your Smartphone

Moment offers a variety of smartphone photography cases. Here's how to pick the best phone case for you.

Person sitting with a cup of coffee with their iPhone 12 with Moment case and wrist strap resting on their lap.

Phone cases are arguably the most important smartphone accessory. Not only do they change how your new device looks and feels, they’re 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 your lenses using a unique DSLR-like interface. From ultra-thin cases designed to hold lenses in gimbal setups to daily-carry cases that protect you phone and bring unique style to it, there are options for everyone. Here are the materials, models, and differences in the current Moment phone case lineup, including the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models!

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 cases and MagSafe cases are both 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 they take between four hundred and two thousand years to decompose. We may be a small brand, but from Moment alone, that’s hundreds of thousands of cases that will essentially never biodegrade, and we weren’t ok 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 even shut down their recycling programs completely. The ones that still exist 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 take the extra step of adding 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 Bio Plastic 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, but it 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 our own mounts that have 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 even 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 does reduce the amount of petroleum based plastic used compared to a standard phone case.

Case

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 and without lenses.

Protection

The case is our most protective case. It is made up of more bio plastics, with a polycarbonate frame, and 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 Lens Mount.
    • Bio-Plastic TPU Body is compostable after removing select parts.
    • Super Thin: 1.5mm (2mm on the new iPhone 12 models).
    • 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 on iPhone 12 models only.
    • Covered by our 2-year warranty
    Moment 310 197 i Phone 14 Black thumbnail

    Moment

    Case for iPhone 14 - Compatible with MagSafe®

    Looking for a thin but rugged, soft-to-the-touch iPhone 14 case? Moment MagSafe compatible iPhone 14 cases look good, feel good and protect your phone

    Buy for $39.99

    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. It's NEW M-Series lens interface is improved with three locating points to prevent the mount from rotating in the case when you attach a lens. Plus a refined lens fit, so it's easier to install a lens with less effort.

    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

      • Drop-in M-Series lens interface included.
      • Replaceable M-Series Lens Mount.
      • Bio-Plastic TPU Body is compostable after removing select parts.
      • Super Thin: 1.5mm (2mm on the new iPhone 12 models).
      • 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 on iPhone 12 models only.
      • Covered by our 2-year warranty.
    Moment Peak Design M MC BC SG 1 Mobile Everyday Fabric Case i Phone 14 Sage thumbnail

    Peak Design

    Everyday Case for iPhone 14 with Peak SlimLink™

    Your phone deserves a tuxedo! The Everyday Case for iPhone 14 series is slim, aesthetic, and protects. Connects to all Peak Design Mobile mounts & accessories

    Buy for $29.99

    Clear Cases

    This is the clear case we’ve always wanted. It starts with a thin frame and durable build, providing the daily protection you require. While 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 13

    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

        • Case body 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 for iPhone 13 (sold separately)

        • Works with Screen Protectors iPhone 13 (sold separately)

        • Covered by our 2-year warranty

    I Ph13 Clear 1

    Moment

    Clear Case for iPhone 13 / Mini / Pro / Pro Max - Compatible with MagSafe®

    Show off your beautiful iPhone! The Moment clear case is equipped with super-strong (M)Force (MagSafe compatible) magnets for all your mounting, charging needs.

    Buy for $19.99

    Premium Leather Cases

    Our premium top grain leather case, in full color, for iPhone 13. Built with a high strength polycarbonate frame, each case is precision wrapped in top grade leather with a buttery hand feel. Inside 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. Nice up the place with all new leather essentials from Moment.

    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

          • Case body 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 

    Moment Nomad NM01241485 Modern Leather Case i Phone 14 Rustic Brown Thumbnail

    Nomad

    Modern Leather Case for iPhone 14 - Compatible with MagSafe

    Your iPhone 14 deserves a stylish look! A quality Nomad Case combining high-quality Horween leather and rugged protection with MagSafe compatibility

    Buy for $39.99

    Bio Case


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

    Protection

    The Bio Case features our 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 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.