An iPhone is one of the world’s most popular handsets, and one of Pocket-lint’s favorites, for good reason. Apple’s lineup is lightweight, compact, powerful, and boasts impressive cameras equipped for taking everything from a perfect selfie to an action shot. And while a more than capable phone on its own, its capabilities are only amplified with the use of some helpful accessories that easily slip into any backpack.
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Some of those accessories may seem a bit obvious, such as AirPods, which are some of our favorite tried and tested Apple accessory must-haves, but there are a couple on this list of must-have iPhone accessories that may surprise you. Read on for our top recommendations.
Must-have iPhone accessories: Our top picks
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Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation (USB-C)
Best iPhone accessory overall
$189 $250 Save $61
AirPods are an accessory I go everywhere with. All AirPods models have so many features, but the AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) are my favorite overall as their noise-cancellation is unparalleled. Additionally, the USB-C charging port makes inter-cable compatibility easier than ever. AirPods also standout because of their convenience, making hands-free calling and volume adjustment a breeze. Plus, the Find My integration system and ping-able case is ideal for those (like me) prone to losing the compact headset.
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Belkin UltraGlass 2 Screen Protector for iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best iPhone accessory for screen protection
Similar to cases, there are a number of screen protectors available out there for a range of iPhone models. Belkin is one of Apple’s preferred partners though, and the company offers a special service in Apple stores where it will fit your screen protector for you onto your Apple iPhone with a special machine to make sure it is a perfect fit and feel. I personally have a Belkin screen protector on my iPhone 15, and it’s remained bubble-free and un-cracked despite my clumsy drops.
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Twelve South AirFly Pro
Best iPhone accessory for travel
This is one for the regular travelers out there. The AirFly Pro is a superb accessory to have ready for when you’re going on a long-haul flight. It connects your AirPods to the in-flight entertainment, so you can listen to those blockbuster films on a decent pair of headphones rather than the flimsy and muffled options often given out in-flight. Additionally, the AirFly Pro offers a simple setup, making it a luggage staple.
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Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Best iPhone accessory for portable charging
$87 $99 Save $12
Depending on what iPhone you have, you might find the battery life isn’t exceptional. The larger models will get you through the day and night but I still wouldn’t leave home without the MagSafe Battery Pack. Offering around one full charge for the Max, this accessory gives a great battery top up for iPhone 12 models and newer by just snapping on the back.
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Apple AirTag
Best iPhone accessory for tracking
$27 $29 Save $2
One of our favorite Bluetooth trackers, Apple’s AirTags are excellent for attaching to items you don’t want to lose, as well as some obscure items too, if you fancy. Any AirTags you have setup appear in the Find My app on your iPhone and they offer Precision Finding to make it super easy to find anything you have lost, whether it’s your backpack, your keys or your child’s soft toy.
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Apple Watch Series 9
Best wearable iPhone accessory
$389 $399 Save $10
It might seem like a cliché, but the Apple Watch Series 9 is a superb smartwatch that works brilliantly with my iPhone (as you would expect). There are plenty of features on board, but my favorites are Apple Pay, the body temperature feature and the ability to find my iPhone when I can’t locate it. Exercise tracking is also superb though, making it a very versatile accessory.
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Apple Silicone with MagSafe for iPhone 15 Pro Max
Best iPhone accessory case
It wouldn’t be a must-have accessory list without a case. Personally, I like Apple’s Silicone Cases because I like the Apple logo on the back, but I also love their soft-to-touch feel. There are, of course, a number of cases out there for the various iPhone models, and there are new FineWoven cases from Apple too, but it’s the Silicone Case I would recommend the most.
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Belkin 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand
Best iPhone accessory for charging
$120 $150 Save $30
This isn’t an accessory you bring around with you, but it is one I would consider essential for those with an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. It makes charging super simple, and keeps your nightstand clutter-free from cables. It comes in black and white colour options and its compatible with the iPhone 12 and later, and the Apple Watch Series 7 and newer.
How did I pick these iPhone accessories?
My pick of the must-have iPhone accessories are all accessories I have come to really appreciate over the last couple of years. Of course, when you upgrade your iPhone model, you need to upgrade the case and the screen protector too, but the other accessories on this list are accessories that work across generations of iPhone. They are also all the accessories I use day-in-day-out, and I genuinely wouldn’t want to be without them. If I lost anyone of these, they would all be straight in my cart the next day.
What AirPods should I get for my iPhone?
This depends on what features you need, so make sure you think about this ahead of time. For AirPods, there are a couple of different models available. The AirPods Pro 2nd generation (USB-C) are the most fully-fledged in terms of features, but you might only need the AirPods 2nd generation or AirPods 3rd generation, both of which still offer great features. If you want Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), then you’ll need to get the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation, and I would recommend the USB-C model over Lightning for future proofing.
What is the best Apple Watch to get for iPhone users?
The Apple Watch Series 9 is the newest smartwatch from Apple, alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 2, but you might be able to make do with a Watch Series 7 or Series 8, or perhaps even the Watch SE (2022) depending on the features you want. I wouldn’t recommend buying an Apple Watch older than the Series 7, as to get the most out of your watch, you’ll want to make sure it is compatible with watchOS for at least a couple of years.
AirTags are compatible across various iPhone models so you don’t need the latest iPhone to be able to use them, but the MagSafe battery pack does need a MagSafe compatible iPhone, for example, which is the iPhone 12 models and newer. When it comes to buying cases and cables, we wouldn’t recommend always buying the cheapest option, otherwise you may end up paying twice as much to repair your phone or end up having to replace your case or cable. For cables, make sure you buy the right connector. If you have an iPhone 15 model for example, you’ll need a USB-C cable, while all other iPhone models from 2012 use Lightning.
