The iPhone 7 may not be a mystery anymore, but the hype surrounding it is far from gone. Now that we know what it looks like (hello, new camera) and what's missing (farewell, headphone jack), third-party companies can get started on creating accessories galore.
And get started they have. New cases! New bedside charging docks! And yes, for those who don't want to invest in Apple's wireless AirPods, there are plenty of other wireless earbud options out there, too.
While you're waiting for iPhone pre-orders to begin on September 9, you can check out accessories to complement the color you plan on buying. While your choice of iPhones is difficult — do you opt for the now-classic rose gold or go with the glossy new jet black? — figuring out which accessories to purchase is far easier. After all, reasonable price points mean you can get more than one case for different occasions.
Click through for 11 of our favorite accessories — and one product we recommend holding off on purchasing.
Buy: Apple iPhone 7 Leather Case, $45
It's the same case that's been available for previous iPhone models. The leather is high quality and ages nicely.
Photo: Apple.
Buy:Apple iPhone Lightning Dock, $49
Keep this charging dock by your bedside or next to your computer. Your iPhone plugs in via its Lightning connector, so you won't have any tangled cords making a mess.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
Buy: Otterbox iPhone 7 Alpha Glass Screen Protector, $39.95
If you're iPhone 6's screen cracked more than once, it's time to try a screen protector for your 7 — nobody wants to make more trips to the Apple Store (and shell out extra $$$) than necessary. This protector can be easily applied to your screen and keeps it from shattering and getting scratched.
Photo: Courtesy Otterbox.
Buy:Caseology iPhone 7 Case Titan, $16.99
If you put your phone through some tough situations, Caseology's heavy-duty Titan case will keep your new purchase protected.
Photo: Courtesy Caseology.
Buy:Casetify Pink Glaze Donut iPhone 7 Case, $40
Jelly-filled doughnut love aside, this shock-absorbing case will protect your shiny new iPhone from falls. It's one of the thinnest out there, adding just 2.3 mm in width when its on your phone. And good news: The matte-printed finish means you won't see fingerprint marks all over it. Doughnut wait on this one (sorry, we had to).
Photo: Courtesy Casetify.
Buy: Native Union TAG Cable, $49.99.
This little guy has been around for a couple of months now — and we're already using ours incessantly. Loop it onto your purse so that you're never missing a cable. Then, when you do need to plug in, just pull out the lighting connector from its little leather pouch.
Photo: Courtesy Native Union.
Buy: Tech21 Evo Wallet Case, $49.95
This case has a detachable wallet that can hold two cards. Plus, it adds barely any weight or width to your phone when on. Now, you can go places without having to bring a separate bag to carry your phone and wallet.
Photo: Courtesy Tech21.
Buy: Case-Mate iPhone 7 Plus Case Naked Tough - Iridescent, $35
There are pretty cases and there are gorgeous cases. This is the latter. This one wins our pick on iridescent points alone. The fact that it also includes military-grade protection and anti-scratch technology is a bonus.
Photo: Courtesy Case-Mate.
Buy:Case-Mate iPhone 7 Plus Folio Wristlet, $60
There's no reason not to upgrade your iPhone 6 wristlet to one that fits the iPhone 7. This version has room for your credit cards, ID, and cash in addition to your phone, so you're prepared for post-work mojitos and beyond.
Photo: Courtesy Case-Mate.
Hold Off On: Apple AirPods, pre-order for $159
The internet has taken to mocking Apple's AirPods mercilessly, and, to a certain extent, it's understandable. They look a little bizarre, aren't the most comfortable when in the ear (in our hands-on time with the new buds), and if one does fall out, that's $159 down the drain. Instead of shelling out for these and an iPhone 7 upgrade, try the pairs on the next two slides, first.
Photo: Courtesy Apple.
Instead, Buy: Altec Lansing In-Ear Sport Headphones, $59.99
Compared to the $159 price of Apple's new wireless EarPods, these headphones are a steal. They're not totally wireless — the wire sits comfortably behind your neck — meaning that your chances of misplacing them are far lower. Plus, multiple soft earpieces allow you to find the ones that fit perfectly in your ear. In our month of trying them, we never had an issue with them feeling uncomfortable or with sound quality.
Photo: Courtesy Altec Lansing.
Instead, Buy:Earin True Wireless Earbuds, $249.
If you're going to invest in truly wireless earbuds, we recommend this pair from Earin. Yes, they're almost $100 more than Apple's AirPods, but they also fit more comfortably in your ear (thanks to foam tips) and pair easily to your iPhone via Bluetooth. The case they sit in charges them and the whole package fit in your pocket — just pop them in when you're done listening.
You can also monitor the battery and adjust the bass and sound level for each earbud through an accompanying app.
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