Honestly, you 100% need a MagSafe case! The bare glass is way too slippery and those accessories will just slide off if you're not careful. I've been using these magnets for years and a good case makes a massive difference in how secure everything feels. To stay under that 150 dollar limit while getting high-end performance, look at these:

• <a href=" https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Spigen+Mag+Armor+%28MagFit%29+Case+for+ iPhone+16&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p4624852.m570.l1311&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337998953&customid=22&toolid=10001&mkevt=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Spigen Mag Armor (MagFit) Case for iPhone 16 - super affordable and the magnets are insanely strong.
• ESR Magnetic Wallet (HaloLock) - it's amazing as a stand and honestly not that bulky once you get used to it.
• ESR 3-in-1 Travel Charging Station (HaloLock) - way cheaper than the Anker Cube and perfect for your Chicago trips. You can probably snag that whole setup for like 90 or 100 bucks total if you shop around! It's such a game changer for travel especially since everything folds down flat...

^ This. Also, bare magnets lack the 800g shear force needed for stability tbh.

• Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1 Foldable) 15W Qi2 Certified
• MOFT Snap-on Phone Stand and Wallet

In my experience, you really gotta prioritize magnetic strength over aesthetics if you dont want your phone hitting the pavement. I've tried many cheap cases over the years and most of them just dont have the grip for serious travel. If you want to keep it under budget, the ESR Cloud Soft Case with MagSafe HaloLock is my go-to. I once had a phone fly off my dash during a bumpy cab ride in Chicago because I used a weak case... terrified me. Since you travel a lot, check out the Anker MagGo Power Bank 6.6K 15W Qi2. It basically acts as a portable stand and a fast charger in one. I've found it way more reliable than those folding 3-in-1 stations that always seem to break in my carry-on. This setup keeps you safe and stays way under that 150 dollar limit, leaving you extra cash for the trip. Just make sure the case is high quality or those accessories wont stand a chance.

Just found this thread. You might want to consider the risks of traveling with just magnets tho. My brother once tried a similar setup for a trip to Chicago and it turned into a huge mess...

• his wallet popped off at the airport
• he had no ID for his flight
• he lost two hundred bucks The whole thing was a total nightmare for him! He ended up calling me from the terminal totally panicked...

I just stumbled onto this and—okay, everyone keeps yelling about ESR and Anker because those brands are everywhere, but honestly, some of those recommendations feel like people just reading the Amazon top-seller list. I've found that the 'strongest' magnets are actually a pain sometimes — like when you try to pull your phone off the nightstand and the whole charger comes with it (super annoying at 3 AM). If you're worried about bulk in your jeans (and you should be, the iPhone 16 isn't exactly tiny), maybe look at these instead:

• <a href=" https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Spigen+Mag+Armor+%28MagFit%29+ iPhone+16+Case&_sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p4624852.m570.l1311&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5337998953&customid=22&toolid=10001&mkevt=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">Spigen Mag Armor (MagFit) iPhone 16 Case — wait, no — I mean the Liquid Air is good too, but the Mag Armor is the real winner for grip without the 'lint magnet' feel of those silicone cases.
• PopSockets Phone Grip with Integrated MagSafe Wallet — people dunk on these for the aesthetic but for traveling, having a physical grip for your finger is way safer than a flat stand when you're navigating O'Hare with two suitcases.
• Belkin BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with MagSafe 15W — it’s way flatter than the Anker folding ones and actually fits in a slim tech pouch much better. Definitely check out ChargerLAB or some of the deeper tech forums before you buy, because a lot of these brands claim 15W but throttle the speed as soon as the phone gets slightly warm.