This week, the world got its first look at Samsung’s newest phones, the Galaxy S22 line. The new flagship, the S22 Ultra, is packed full of awesome features and next-gen photography tools. The new generation of Galaxy smartphones also features the square design that is becoming the norm in the mobile world, so much so that many iPhone users have started using square iPhone cases to give their phone that right-angle look.
And when lifelong iPhone shoppers are suddenly buying phone cases to mimic the design of Apple’s competition, you know something has gone wrong in Apple land.
Apple has been incredibly successful at branding itself as the go-to company for hip people of all denominations. So much so that many Apple customers wouldn’t even consider using a laptop, smartphone or earbuds produced by another brand. Historically, Apple really has outpaced its rivals in user design, and its devices have an instantly recognizable streamlined aesthetic.
That also means many Apple customers are particularly prone to FOMO, and perhaps that explains the rise of square iPhone cases — Apple customers don’t want to be on the wrong side of a trend. It’s too early to know exactly what the iPhone 14 will look like, but for the time being, the Galaxy S22 line proves that Apple is a step behind.
Read More: Pitting the iPhone 13 Pro Max vs the Galaxy S22 Ultra
If you’re an iPhone user lusting over those sharp 90-degree angles, then we’ve got more details on this trend below, and you can keep scrolling to check out the best square iPhone cases for sale in 2022.
Related Stories
(Yes, geometry nerds, we know these are technically rectangles, but the edges are square and the term “rectangle phone cases” just doesn’t roll off the tongue.)
Why Square iPhone Cases Are Bad News for Apple
We’ve seen a few different trends come and go in the phone case market over the years. Most recently, phone lanyards were the cool new accessory, and you probably saw the cool teens and trendy ladies in your life add a decorative phone lanyard to their iPhone 13. Well, we’re calling it: phone lanyards are out and square phone cases are officially in.
This trend is new enough that even some big case companies like Casetify don’t have any square cases for sale in 2022. We’ll have to see if this trend proves as durable as previous innovations in the phone case market such as iPhone wallet cases and the genuinely awesome MagSafe phone chargers that augment your battery life.
We think this trend actually foreshadows deeper problems for Apple and the iPhone. As we said up top, Apple has historically dominated the competition when it comes to product design, but the latest iPhone models would have Steve Jobs rolling in his grave, at least, according to one Tech Editor we know. (The raised cameras really are a pain.) But square phone cases aren’t just hip; they also make your iPhone resemble an Android or Pixel phone.
The latest Google Pixel 6 has a square design, as do popular new phones from TCL and Samsung. Now that we’ve gotten a closer look at the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S22, it’s clearer than ever that it’s hip to be square in the mobile market.
Ultimately, this trend indicates that Apple’s tastemaking powers are waning in 2022. For once, Apple is a step behind the competition, and that rarely happens in the product design department.
Soon enough, we’ll know if the upcoming iPhone 14 represents a return to the natural order or another step in the wrong direction.
Below, we’ve shared some of our favorite square phone cases.
Where are the best places to buy square iPhone cases? You can pick these up from case makers like FLAUNT or Case-Mate, and there’s a selection of square phone cases on Amazon, too. However, Etsy is actually one of the best places to buy square phone cases, and there are tons of options in different colors, materials and prints. Just be sure that you’re buying a case that matches the model of your phone. In addition, not all square cases are compatible with MagSafe charging, though we’ve included some iPhone cases that are.
We’ve picked out square phone cases for a variety of popular models including iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Tzomsze Clear Phone Cases (MagSafe Compatible)
FOR iPHONE 13
Case-Mate BLOX Square Phone Cases
iPHONE 13 MODELS
Cocomii Square Neutral Color Phone Cases
ALL MODELS
Case-Mate BLOX Square Phone Cases
iPHONE 12 MODELS
Case Kid Creations Neon Square Phone Cases
iPHONE 11 / 12 / 13
Cocomii Silicone Square iPhone Cases
iPHONE 13
Case Space Design Holographic
ALL MODELS
FLAUNT Matte Blue iPhone Case (Coming Soon)
iPHONE 13 PRO MAX
Queen Case Shop Sequin Square iPhone Case
iPHONE 11 / 12 / 13
FLAUNT Matte Black Square Case
ALL MODELS
Clear Square iPhone Cases
ALL MODELS
Get the Latest Style, Fitness & Grooming Finds from SPY on Instagram…
The Most Stylish iPhone Wallet Cases
Frequently Asked Questions About Square iPhone Cases...
Wondering where to buy square iPhone cases? Of course, you can always try your luck at Amazon. There are also phone case companies llike FLAUNT and Case-Mate that offer a range of stylish options for various iPhone models. However, we found the widest selection (and best prices) at Etsy.
Yes, though the results will differ depending on the quality and price of the phone case you buy. Most modern phone cases are designed to protect your screen from drops, though we can't vouch for every $10 Etsy phone case you find. For the best protection, Case-Mate's BLOX square phone cases offer drop protection up to 10 feet, shock-absorbing materials, and a lifetime warranty.
This will vary from case to case. Before hitting that "Add To Cart" button, check the product description to confirm that it's compatible with MagSafe and wireless charging.
Right now, popular phones from Google, Samsung, TCL and other phone makers feature a squared-off design with hard corners. That could be driving the sudden interest in square iPhone cases, which should make Apple's designer nervous.