Apple's newest iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max may be tempting, but upgrading isn't the only way to refresh your current phone.
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upgrading → refresh → phone
A new case, screen protector and a few practical accessories can improve how an older iPhone looks and works without the cost of a new device.
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iPhone → improve → device
Many of these picks are compatible with multiple older iPhone generations, while others, including select chargers and accessories, work with a wide range of smartphones.
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others → include → smartphones
Best iPhone upgrades, at a glance
Best for a fresh look: A new phone case
Best budget upgrade: A new screen and camera protector
Best for an aging battery: A portable power bank
Best charging upgrade: A MagSafe charging stand
Best for the car: A MagSafe car mount and charger
Best for easier one-handed use: A magnetic phone grip
Best under-$10 refresh: A phone cleaning kit
Best for replacing worn cables: Braided USB-C cables
Best for carrying less: A leather MagSafe wallet
Best premium upgrade: AirPods Pro 3
You don't need a new phone to get a noticeable upgrade.
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You → age → upgrade
Start with the part of your iPhone that could use the most attention, whether that's a worn case, aging battery, scratched screen or outdated charging setup.
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that → start → attention
Phone cases
Purpose: A new case is one of the easiest ways to make an older iPhone look and feel fresh again.
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iPhone → make → ways
The transparent design shows off your phone while adding protection, and you can customize it with text or graphics for a personal refresh.
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you → show → refresh
Original price: $79
A Nomad leather case will upgrade the feel of your current iPhone.
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case → upgrade → iPhone
It’s made with Horween leather that develops a natural patina over time.
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that → make → time
Cushioned bumpers help absorb impact, while the leather exterior resists scratches and wear.
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exterior → help → scratches
The dual-layer design, grippy rubber edges and camera bumpers of the rugged OtterBox hard shell phone case cushions impact from drops, adding some serious protection.
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design → cushion → protection
Built-in magnets keep it compatible with MagSafe and Qi2 charging.
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magnets → build → charging
October Prime Day starts soon — here are the dates, tips to shop and what's on sale now
Screen protectors
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protectors → start → sale
Purpose: If you're looking for an easy way to make your phone feel new, invest in a quality screen protector.
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phone → look → protector
Make your aging phone look noticeably newer by covering everyday scratches with a fresh screen protector.
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Adding one can also give your phone a clean, smooth surface and tempered glass resists future scuffs, cracks and fingerprints.
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glass → add → scuffs
Original price: $9.99
You don’t need to drain your wallet to give your iPhone a makeover.
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The black version of this affordable magnetic case is just about $7 right now, while the 19 other available colors come in between $10-$14.
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colors → come → 10-$14
It has a slimmer profile than bulkier rugged phone cases and built-in magnets for MagSafe accessories.
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Power banks, chargers and power stations
Purpose: Naturally, an aging battery comes with an older phone.
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battery → age → phone
These fast chargers and multi-device stands make powering up more convenient.
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powering → make → ?
The Energizer MagSafe portable power bank won’t improve or replace your battery, but can give you extra power throughout the day with wireless charging.
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bank → improve → charging
It has USB-C output and enough power stored to charge your phone more than once.
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Swap out your old charging brick for the compact Anker Nano, an Amazon favorite that provides fast USB-C charging in a foldable design that’s easy to keep at your desk or toss in a bag.
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that → swap → bag
It comes with a USB-C cable, so you won’t need to grab one separately for your charging setup.
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you → come → setup
A magnetic car mount charger will keep your iPhone visible and powered on the road.
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charger → keep → road
It holds your phone in place for hands-free navigation while charging wirelessly, so you don’t have to deal with loose cables.
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you → hold → cables
Shop cases, chargers and early iPhone Duo accessories from $8
Original price: $29.99
Get a more convenient charging setup with an Energizer 2-in-1 MagSafe stand.
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price → get → stand
Reviewers love its space-saving design and magnetic grip.
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Reviewers → love → design
The stand delivers up to 15W wireless charging while keeping your phone upright for calls, videos or bedside use.
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stand → deliver → calls
The second charging spot can power AirPods or an Apple Watch.
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spot → power → AirPods
If a 2-in-1 isn’t enough, the Anker Prime 3-in-1 wireless charging station will power your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods from one compact setup.
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station → charge → setup
It uses active cooling to manage heat while your tech charges and has a Live Smart display, showing real-time temperature and charging status for each device you have on it.
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you → use → it
Sleep Mode ensures you're not disturbed overnight during charging.
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you → ensure → charging
When you don’t need all the frills, a magnetic wireless charging pad will get the job done.
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job → need → frills
The two-pack offers a simpler and much more affordable setup.
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pack → offer → setup
iPhone accessories
Purpose: Upgrade how you use your iPhone and keep it clean with grips, cleaning kits and even AirPods.
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you → upgrade → grips
Make your iPhone easier to hold with an OhSnap ultra-thin magnetic grip, which adds extra security without bulk and benefits older users.
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which → make → users
A useful accessory no matter what iPhone you have, it also doubles as a stand for hands-free viewing and supports MagSafe charging, so you don’t have to remove it every time you power up.
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Apple AirTags just dropped to $24 on Amazon — one of the best times to stock up
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…and 17 more, not listed.
The Aporia
