New iPhone 17 Pro Max? You can already put your old case aside

There you are, with your brand new iPhone 17 Pro Max just out of the box. Shiny, gigantic, and actually too beautiful to touch. So you reach for your trusted case from your previous device, because it would be a shame to throw it away. And then it turns out: it doesn't fit at all.

Why that old case suddenly doesn't fit anymore

No imagination, and also no bad luck. It's in the back. The camera on the 17 Pro Max takes up so much more space that the cutouts of an older case simply no longer match. Your old iPhone 16 case just doesn't fit anymore, no matter how much you want it to.

Bummer, because that case was still fine. But it's a good moment to pause and think about what you choose this time. This isn't just an issue with the Pro Max, but with almost every upgrade, so whether you have this top device or something else, there are always cases for every phone to be found that do fit.

A new one is needed, but don't grab the first best

This is often where it goes wrong. You need something new, so you impulsively grab the cheapest option. Understandable, but not always smart.

A poorly fitting or very cheap case can actually do more harm than good. If there's a grain of sand or dust between the case and your phone, it will rub against the back all day. And a case that is too tight around that large camera area can actually cause scratches on the spot you wanted to protect. A shame, with a device at this price point.

What to pay attention to

Three things make the difference. A case that fits neatly around that large camera island, without pulling or pinching. A rim that just slightly rises above your screen, so a fall onto its screen isn't immediately a disaster. And if you charge wirelessly: check if it supports MagSafe, otherwise you'll be fiddling every time.

If you just want to take a calm look at what's available, you'll find a wide selection of phone cases for the iPhone 17 Pro Max from transparent and super thin to a sturdy variant with a card slot. Just what suits you.

And if you prefer not to have a case at all

That's fine too. Some people find a bare device the most beautiful, and I completely understand that, because that back deserves to be seen. But honestly? With a phone that easily approaches 1,500 euros, going through life with bare hands is a costly gamble. One wrong curb and your heart skips a beat.

Time to say goodbye

So yes, that old case can retire. Not because there was anything wrong with it, but because your new phone simply asks for something different. And let's be honest: a new device is the excuse to choose something that makes you happy every time you take it out of your bag.