Condense Your Life With a Useful iPhone Wallet Case

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We're at a watershed moment. With the introduction of titanium on the newest iPhone 15 Pro models, the iPhone phone case cottage industry is getting thrown on its head. If you have a titanium iPhone, you don't aneed a case anymore. The back won't crack, and the front won't crack unless you take a hammer to it. When was the last time you even rocked a caseless phone? Probably not within the last decade. Now that it's not a protection thing, we're looking at a new era of iPhone case. These days, the case is more a tool. Whether it's a tool to show off your personality, or a functional tool, it's its own thing now. One of the most popular functions is as a wallet—or at least, it's as a part-time wallet.

Gone are the days of wallet phone cases being reserved for teens carrying fake IDs and Wendy's frosty cards. Plenty of adults are ditching their card holders and chunky bifolds (at least part-time) for sleek back-of-the-phone wallet cases. This isn't for the peace of mind you'd get from an AirTag compatible wallet. It's more about convenience, serious minimalism. Everything is together and condensed, and I can get behind that. To help you make the jump, Esquire has done yet another tech deep dive—like we did for Apple watch bands, smart home devices, Apple VR, and those weird fucking air-purifying headphones that Dyson made. The result: A definitive list of the 11 best iPhone wallet cases on the market in 2024.

Leather MagSafe Wallet Case

A good-looking wallet case probably should fall somewhere in the spectrum of minimalist and luxury, not colorful and gaudy. This handsome wallet case with a satin finish has that minimalist luxury feel that'll catch your eyes at first glance. And it's very durable, made with tanned vegetable leather and microfiber lining.

Of all the iPhone wallet cases I've held, Mujjo's has the most luxury feel, and it got the most questions or compliments.

Compatibility: All iPhone 15, 14, 13, and 12 models

3-Card Phone Case

Bellroy's three-card case tucks the cards into the side and hides them from sight—it's inconspicuous, shall we say, which is a very good thing here. Even more enticing is the eco-tanned leather, which comes in shades from lagoon to lemon to terracotta—a welcome break from all the neutral leathers of the iPhone case world.

It does't look as lowkey as the Mujjo case, but Bellroy's option is undeniably the most functional on this list. If you're worried about having your stuff displayed on the back of your case, this is the best case for keeping it all tucked away.

Compatibility: all iPhone 15, 14, and 13 models

(Re)Classic MagSafe Wallet

I'd be remiss to not mention my favorite MagSafe wallet, which becomes a proper wallet phone case when paired with the matching case. It looks classy—with premium materials, no bulky components or loud branding—and it gets the job done. You really don't need anything more than this.

In terms of those classy looks, I was actually a huge fan of the green colorway. In person, it falls somewhere between Jade and Hunter green—it's a nice swerve to the typical black or navy iPhone accessory.

Compatibility: all MagSafe compatible iPhones (15, 14, 13, and 12)

Wallet Slayer Vol. 1

Smartish's simple iPhone case holds three cards—even a few bills, because cash is still king—while protecting your device from everyday use.

Functionally, this guy is great, but I've got issues with the look. The black version shown here is fine, but the patterned options are... a choice. For my money, I'd just spend a bit more for something that looks a bit more put together.

Compatibility: All iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, SE, and X models

iPhone 14 Folio Wallet Case

Sure, a tall folio phone case makes you look like somebody's uncle, but you'll at least look like a rich uncle. This number from Tumi comes in a beautiful deep red leather, and the phone case actually detaches from the wallet. So you can use them separately or together.

There is the issue that TUMI appears to be phasing out its wallet cases for more fashion-y options on the iPhone 15.

Compatibility: iPhone 14 only

Strada Folio Series

Anything but bulky, OtterBox's folio folds open to reveal a slot to hold a couple cards or money. And when the transaction's over, a magnetic latch holds the flap closed over the screen for extra protection.

It's tough to make a folio case actually look good, but OtterBox have done it. Dressed up in black leather, it looks really sharp. Add to that OtterBox's military-standard drop testing, and you've got an incredible folio wallet.

Compatibility: 15 Pro Max, 15 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 14 Pro, 14 Plus, 14, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 12 Pro Max, 12, 12 Pro

Spigen Slim Armor CS

Polycarbonate cases can be much more sustainable than leather ones. Here we have it in a futuristic-looking "armor" for 360-degrees iPhone protection (minus the screen, that is). And the exterior card slot has a sleek, slim, slide-and-go design that doesn't scream “Hey, look at me, I’m a card holder case!"

Compatibility: 15 Pro Max, 15, 14 Pro Max, 14 Pro, 14, 14 Plus, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 12 and 12 Pro, 12 Mini, 12 Pro Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, Xs, Xs Max, XR

Modern Leather Folio

Nomad's Modern Folio is very nearly a wallet itself, what with all the space for up to three cards and a pocket slot for cash (or whatever else you need to store). But it keeps it all compact in dandy leather casing, with a 10-feet drop protection to boot. You'll love holding it in your hands and feel the texture. And it is compatible with MagSafe too.

Compatibility: All iPhone 15, 14, 13, and 12 models

vCommute Wallet Case

This case is minimalist design exemplified—even more so because you won't be able to see much of the cards you tuck inside the back pocket. But we're here to highlight how it'll work with Apple Pay, wireless charging, magnetic car phone mounts, and how it can be folded up to a kickstand at multiple angles while surviving drops after drops.

Compatibility: Every model from iPhone X to 15 Pro Max

Portfolio iPhone Case

There's something about carrying glossy, leather-y stuff. It says I know something you don't, or I give a damn about looking the part. Hence, most options on this list are leather-y. But this particular calfskin wallet case stands out: no sliding or flipping open and close, you insert your cards and go.

Compatibility: Every model from iPhone 7/8/SE to 15 Pro Max

1050 Micro Case

Not technically a phone case... or a wallet, but if you're bringing valuables into nasty situations, nothing will keep them safer than a pelican case. This mini version is crushproof, dustproof, watertight, so you can drop it in a river, off a cliff, whatever, it'll be alright. And it'll fit every iPhone model, though any of the Pro Max's will be a bit of a squeeze.

Compatibility: Universal

Will You Even Use an iPhone Wallet Case?

Generally, we say yes. An iPhone wallet case is a great accessory to have, as it bridges those gaps between when you don't want to bring our your full wallet, or just don't need anything besides a credit card and ID. If you go for a run, head to the gym, head to the pool, etc. you don't need a full wallet. Having a way to reasonably bring essentials only is always convenient, for literally anyone.

What Should You Look for in Wallet Phone Cases

• MagSafe Compatibility: If you insist on using MagSafe accessories or any newer-gen device equipped with Qi-enabled charging, keep in mind that a wallet case might get in the way of your wireless experience. But thankfully, quite a few iPhone card holder cases in our list do not interrupt with MagSafe's magic and thus pave way for wireless charging even with the case—and cards—on. But for others, those magnets are just too big for both, and you’ll have to detach the case for wireless charging, or just charge with a cord, which isn't that repulsive of an idea.
  

• Card Slot Capacity: Some manufacturers straight-up provide a limit as to how many cards you can put in there, and some just tell you the amount of card slots for you to test the limit.

• Looks: Even the most Function over Form of us care about style deep down. It's not the biggest part of your look, but getting a nice looking iPhone wallet will give you a little treat every time you pull it out.

• Build Quality: But if you really do only care about function, consider the materials of your iPhone wallet. Is it plastic? Rubber? Leather? If it's leather, where is it from? Are there tiered options? Etc. etc.

• iPhone Model: Apple insists on the most subtle twists for each of its new release—a decimal difference in dimension or camera bump. That's something we just have to put up with. Hence, never be so innocent and think you can just carry your iPhone 13 wallet case over to an iPhone 14. Always check the size in each model—you'd be surprised by how they're often a small world apart.

Why Trust Esquire?

We've testing products for years—or decades, collectively—and it allows us to recommend the best tech worth your hard-earned money. Simply, we know what's good. More complicatedly, we know all the weird jargon and do all the testing that you don't need to worry about. We compile our guides by performing heavy research and testing, and the gadgets we choose to award are what we'd spend our own money on.

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