The iPhone 15 accessories I can’t stop using

In the three months I’ve had my iPhone 15 Pro Max, the biggest surprise was how much I’ve loved my first ever PopSocket accessory. The PopGrip for MagSafe is a PopSocket without a case, as it easily snaps onto the iPhone 12 or later, thanks to its MagSafe connectors. Super strong and sturdy, this little telescoping disc often replaces an actual case in my everyday use because it makes it so much easier for me to hold on to my iPhone that I’ve yet to have a single moment where I think I could drop it. Oh, and it also functions as a kickstand.

I’ve used two portable power banks from Anker during these last months, and (unsurprisingly) the larger one is my favorite. The 10,000mAh Anker Nano Power Bank is perfect for the iPhone 15 (and any USB-C phone) because it offers a built-in USB-C cable that doubles as a handle. It even has a digital screen that can show you its current percentage of battery charge. That’s right: no more judging on a scale of one to five dots. The screen will even provide an estimate of the time it takes to get to a full charge. If you don’t need that screen and want something more portable, consider the 5,000mAh version, which snaps right into the bottom of your phone with its rotating USB-C port. Were my pockets a bit deeper, I could use this version when I’m out and about, but it wound up being a bit of a risk to fall out when I’m moving too quickly.

While the iPhone 15 pivots to USB-C from Lightning, some of us can’t leave Apple’s proprietary port in the past just yet. This is why I also like to pack the Mophie Powerstation Plus on trips, as it features integrated Lightning and USB-C charging cables. Nobody likes packing extra cables on trips: They get tangled and messy, and it’s no fun. This way, I just bring a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to Apple Watch cable, and this power bank’s Lightning cable keeps my AirPods in the green. Just like the Anker power bank I prefer, it packs a 10,000mAh power supply.

While not an iPhone-only gadget by any means, this wildly slim, portable power adapter has become a must-pack for any trip I go on. Gone are the days where I pack bulky multi-port chargers; here are the days where I can keep both my iPhone and my Apple Watch charging speedily, thanks to the pair of USB-C ports on this small brick. It can even draw enough power to charge other USB-C devices like a Nintendo Switch or MacBook Air.

While I continue to go caseless most of the time (thanks to the PopSocket PopGrip), I keep the delightfully chunky Casetify Ultra Bounce Case at arm’s reach in case of a potential need. Why? Because it’s one of the most protective cases that I actually like holding. Part of that comes down to the grain texture of the case, which makes it easy to hold. I tend to snap this case on in the rare circumstance when I think I might need its thick bumpers to protect from a case of the dropsies.

Bellroy’s eco-tanned leather cases offer a solid overall experience, with a protective bumper that runs along the rim of the case. Its sides feature both leather and this bumper, a mix of the two below options. The Nomad’s sides are entirely made of a plastic bumper and the Bullstrap’s sides are all-leather.

When I first started to use Nomad’s leather iPhone 15 Pro Max case, I felt confident that it could be the case I used until I got a new iPhone. Smooth, elegant and starting at $50, this case felt like a top successor to Apple’s now-retired leather case.

Bullstrap’s leather cases, though, had a more-supple feel out of the box. These cases also have a less-sharp camera bump and there’s no bottom lip on the front of the case, which makes it easier to swipe up.