The 10 accessories you need for your iPhone 16

This year’s iPhone 16 models represent a whole new ballgame for Apple’s iPhone lineup, with the standard iPhone 16 drawing closer than ever to the flagship iPhone 16 Pro. For the first time in three years, Apple isn’t leaving any of its iPhones behind on an older A-series chip, and all the latest bells and whistles, like the new Camera Control, are available across the board.

However, getting the latest iPhone is just the start. You’ll also want to — and in some cases need to — accessorize it. For most folks, the first step is protecting it in a good case. The new Camera Control button makes that trickier than usual, but the good news is that some case makers are already on it.

You’ll find a vibrant ecosystem of iPhone accessories beyond cases, updated for the 2024 models to give you faster wireless charging, high-quality audio on the go, keep you fit and connected, or even just help you keep track of your stuff. Here are our top picks for accessories that will complement any of Apple’s iPhone 16 models, from the 6.1-inch iPhone 16 to the powerful 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Anker 523 Nano Charger

The best wall charger for iPhone 16

By now it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise that you won’t get a wall charger in the box with your new iPhone 16. However, while you can keep on using nearly any USB-C charger you have available, you might want to consider upgrading this year if you’re going with an iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max. Apple has boosted the wired charging speeds of its Pro models, and while they didn’t get the rumored 45W speeds, independent tests have confirmed that they can hit around 31W. That works out to a 20% increase in charging speeds with a charger that can supply enough power.

Anker’s 47W Nano Charger will easily have you covered, thanks to its ability to deliver 45W of power to a single device. With a second USB-C port, you can also keep another device powered up along with your iPhone 16, although in that case the power is shared with 27W going to one port and 20W going to the other. That’s still enough to get your iPhone from dead to 50% in about 30 minutes while also juicing up an Apple Watch or a set of AirPods. As the name suggests, this little adapter is also surprisingly compact for the amount of power it puts out, thanks to Anker’s use of advanced gallium-nitride (GaN) technology.

Anker 523 Nano Charger

The best wall charger for iPhone 16

Apple MagSafe Charger

The best wireless charger for iPhone 16

Even though it didn’t say anything official about faster wired charging, Apple is giving the iPhone 16 a boost in wireless charging speeds this year, supporting up to 25W charging over MagSafe. That’s a healthy boost over the 15W of previous models, and will let you charge any iPhone 16 wirelessly to 50% in about 30 minutes — provided you’re using the right charger and power adapter.

Sadly, there aren’t too many options yet other than Apple’s official MagSafe Charger, which has been re-released by the company in a 25W version. The good news is that it’s the same size as the older one, so you’ll have no problem finding any number of affordable stands, mounts, and other accessories made to fit the charging puck.

Just keep in mind that it’s hard to tell the new 25W MagSafe Charger apart at from the older 15W at a glance. Unless a MagSafe charger is explicitly labelled as 25W, it’s best to assume it’s using the older 15W speeds. That’s not a big problem, as the iPhone 16 is still compatible with all older MagSafe accessories, but you won’t get the fastest possible charging unless you’re using the newest MagSafe standard. You’ll also need to make sure it’s plugged into a USB-C power adapter than can deliver at least 30W.

Apple MagSafe Charger

The best wireless charger for iPhone 16

Apple AirTag

The best item tracker for iPhone 16

Apple’s robust Find My Network offers support for a variety of different item-tracking tags and other accessories, but it’s no surprise that the company’s own AirTag is among the best. If the iPhone 16 is your first foray into the Apple ecosystem, consider picking up some of these to keep tabs on your keys, laptop bag, luggage, and more. A lost AirTag can report its location through any nearby iPhone or iPad that happens across it, and with a billion such devices roaming the world, it’s the largest crowdsourced item tracking network on the planet, making it much more likely your lost items will turn up.

However, AirTags aren’t just for things you may have left behind. Thanks to Apple’s Precision Finding feature, you can get specific directions to where a lost item is hiding in your home or office, so you’ll never again need to worry about losing your keys in the cushions of your couch. AirTags are available in single units or four-packs at a discount, and are powered by a single coin battery that lasts about a year. Thanks to their popularity, there’s also no shortage of ways to accessorize this accessory.

Apple AirTag

The best item tracker for iPhone 16

Apple Watch Series 10

The best smartwatch for iPhone 16

Whether you’re looking to keep track of your health and fitness or you just want an easier way to stay connected, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the perfect companion to your iPhone 16. While it wasn’t the 10th anniversary spectacular update that some predicted, Apple has still managed to give it a larger screen and make it significantly thinner and lighter than last year’s model.

This makes it more comfortable to wear and easier to read — especially from off-center, where it’s 40% brighter thanks to the new wide-angle OLED display — plus you’ll be able to see even more of your email and text message notifications and quickly respond with a few taps on the on-screen keyboard. The comprehensive array of health and fitness features are joined this year by a new sleep apnea detection algorithm that uses the accelerometer to monitor your sleep patterns and alerts you to this often-undiagnosed condition. Plus, while the Apple Watch is already great for a broad range of activities from running and hiking to swimming and skiing, this year’s model gets new Depth and Tides apps to make it even more useful for snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, and other shallow-water activities.

Apple Watch Series 10

The best smartwatch for iPhone 16

Apple Watch Ultra 2

The best extreme smartwatch for iPhone 16

Related Topics:AccessoriesiPhone

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