Best Cases for the Gold iPhone XS or XS Max iMore 2022
Have you purchased a gold iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max? I have, and boy do I not want to cover up that beautiful phone. This shade of gold is unlike the champagne gold, rose gold, or blush gold of other iPhone models. In certain lights you can see bronze highlights; sometimes it looks brownish, sometimes pinkish. It's difficult to describe, but it's gorgeous. I hate to cover it up at all, but cover it I must if I want to keep it pristine. Here are some of the best cases you can put on your new gold iPhone that will still let its beauty shine through.
- Totally minimal: Totallee Ultra Slim
- Clear and strong: Speck Gemshell
- Beautiful and tough: Sonix Clear Coat Series
- Gold floral: Casetego Case
- Metallic luster: DTTO Clear Case
- A touch of rose: Spigen Ultra Hybrid
- Something really fun: Case-Mate Waterfall
- Just a bumper: ESR Metal Frame
- Front and back glass protection: Jingoobon Front and Back Screen Protector
- Heavy duty case: Lifeproof Nëxt
- All-over protection: i-Blason Full Body
- Create your own: Casetify Custom Case

Totally minimal: Totallee Ultra Slim
Staff FavoriteThis extremely thin, minimal case does the bare minimum to cover up your phone, so the phone's shape and color will show through beautifully. However, this type of minimal case is designed more for scratch protection than for drop protection, so it's best for careful users. Be sure to choose the color Clear (Soft). It's a different material than the other colors and will show off the gold color better than the Frosted Clear, which is more of a translucent case.

Clear and strong: Speck Gemshell
Speck's Gemshell in Clear/Clear is another totally clear case that makes it easy to show off your phone. Rather than being a minimal case, this is a solid case that offers serious drop protection. It's got dual-layer protections and it's been drop tested to eight feet.

Beautiful and tough: Sonix Clear Coat Series
This military drop-tested case is tough but beautiful. The fashionable Sonix brand is sold in high-end department stores and comes with a glass screen protector. This particular model, Starry Night, caught my eye and I think it would look particularly nice with the gold iPhone. If it's not to your taste, there are lots of other styles here that still allow the lovely gold phone to show.

Gold floral: Casetego Case
This basic, clear soft, flexible TPU case has a lovely gold floral pattern that enhances the gold iPhone. If it's too much gold, you can choose one of the other colors offered instead. Regardless, you'll be able to see the iPhone's gold through the case.

Metallic luster: DTTO Clear Case
If flowers, sparkles, and stars are just too much, take a look at DTTO's simple elegance. A basic clear case with a metallic gold edge adds just a little something extra to your gold iPhone. Want to change things up? The metallic edge comes in other colors as well.

A touch of rose: Spigen Ultra Hybrid
Perhaps you want to bring out the pinker tones in that sophisticated gold iPhone. This case from Spigen is mostly clear but has a rose gold bumper that highlights the rosiness. The rigid back and soft bumper are designed for maximum drop protection.

Something really fun: Case-Mate Waterfall
This beauty is sure to bring attention to your gold iPhone. The metallic glitter in this Waterfall case plays against the gold background to delightful effect. Still, this is a case designed for serious drop protection.

Just a bumper: ESR Metal Frame
You can always just go for a bumper, which protects the vulnerable edges and especially the corners of your phone while leaving the back completely uncovered. This particular gold bumper is made from aluminum alloy and soft TPU.

Front and back glass protection: Jingoobon Front and Back Screen Protector
Just the opposite of the bumper idea, another way to show off your iPhone while getting at least scratch protection is to get a front and back glass screen protector like this set. It's simply two thin (0.3mm) sheets of glass, one cut to cover the front and one cut to cover the back. The edges and corners are not covered at all.

Heavy duty case: Lifeproof Nëxt
If you need a heavy-duty case but don't want to obscure your iPhone, Lifeproof's Nëxt is a viable option. With a touch of contrasting color around the bumper, the back is completely clear to show off the gold. This case is drop-proof (tested to 6.6 feet), dirt-proof, and snow-proof, but not waterproof.

All-over protection: i-Blason Full Body
With a built-in screen protector, this case offers full-body protection. It has a black bumper with a gold highlight, and the back is clear to show off the iPhone.

Create your own: Casetify Custom Case
None of these cases catch your eye? Create your own personalized case at Casetify. Start with a clear case and add whatever you feel best enhances your gold iPhone. A photo of yourself or loved ones? Add your monogram, company logo, or whatever else your heart desires.
Making our case
There is something for every gold lover here. I personally rock the Totallee case on my gold iPhone XS on a day-to-day basis. It's sleek, thin, and I love that barely-there feel.
However, if I'm in a situation where my phone is at higher risk for drops, I'll slip on a Casetify Custom Case for a higher level of shock-protection. For the most heavy-duty protection on the market, try a trusty LifeProof. It's pricey but it will keep your phone in perfect condition through any kind of rough treatment.
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