Congrats on the upgrade, the jump from an 11 to a 16 Pro Max is gonna feel insane. I have been through three of these Pro Max models and honestly, the MagSafe market is flooded with total junk. I tried a random $10 case years ago and it was garbage, just pure plastic waste. Things might have changed but I still dont trust the super cheap ones to hold onto a magnetic battery pack while I'm out. If you want something solid that wont cost a fortune, the Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit is basically the gold standard for budget-friendly protection. It doesnt yellow as fast as the others and the magnet is actually strong. If you want something a bit more minimal, look into the ESR Classic Hybrid Case with HaloLock. I used one of their cases on my 14 Pro Max and it survived a few nasty drops on concrete without a scratch on the phone. Just dont bother with the official Apple silicone cases, they peel after like six months and are way overpriced. Stick with those two and you should be good, just dont expect them to last for a decade or anything...

Late to the party, but ngl the TORRAS Magnetic Guardian is a beast for the price. The magnets are legit strong and it feels way better in hand than the cheaper options.

• Check out Flossy Carter on YouTube for drop test videos.
• Use the Caseology Vault if you want something grippier. Lowkey, just make sure you get a screen protector too. The 16 Pro Max glass is pricey to replace if you drop it.

Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.

Stumbled upon this and honestly, just grab anything from Spigen or ESR. I've used both brands for years and they're solid—the magnets are always reliable and they don't charge you an arm and a leg just for the logo on the back. Seriously, don't overthink it, just pick whichever one looks the least intrusive to you.

So funny you ask this — last summer I went on a backpacking trip through the PNW and totally underestimated how much I needed my phone to stay attached to my gear. I was using some knockoff case I found on Amazon and my magnetic power bank literally slid off every time I bumped into a tree branch. It was so annoying because I lost my charge twice and ended up with a dead phone at the summit. I learned the hard way that the magnetic ring strength is the ONLY thing that matters when you are actually moving around with your phone. Since then, I have been pretty loyal to a few brands that actually use decent magnets. If you want a case that wont fly off your mount or battery pack, here is what I learned:

• The magnets need to be flush with the case, otherwise, the connection is weak and you lose efficiency charging.
• Look for cases that have a slightly raised rim around the magnets; it helps with the grip so things dont slide.
• I am currently using the Pitaka MagEZ Case 5 Aramid Fiber and it is honestly wild how thin it is while still holding on tight. If you want something that feels like part of the phone, that Pitaka case is the move, but if you want something more rugged for drops, look into the Nomad Modern Leather Case Horween Leather. It develops a cool patina over time and the magnet strength is top-tier. Just dont cheap out on the magnets, man. Trust me.