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01Your new-iPhone shopping list
The accessories to buy with a new iPhone come down to three essentials: a case, a screen protector and a USB-C charger. Get those sorted first, because the first drop or the first dead battery won't wait for your order to arrive.
Not sure which model you have, or which cases fit? Set it once in Find My Phone and the store will filter for you.
02In the box, and missing from it
| Item | Included? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C charge cable | Yes | Use it. A spare is handy, not urgent |
| Power adapter | No | Buy a USB-C PD charger, 20W or more |
| Case | No | Buy one for your exact model before day one |
| Screen protector | No | Fit it before the case, on a clean screen |
| MagSafe charger | No | Optional; any 15W MagSafe-compatible charger works, Qi2 25W for faster |
Coming from an iPhone 14 or older? Your Lightning cables won't fit. Old USB-A cubes will charge the new phone through an adapter, but slowly. More in Lightning vs USB-C.
03Which charger to get
Any USB-C Power Delivery (PD) charger works with any USB-C iPhone. The wattage only sets how fast the first half of the battery fills. For the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple quotes up to 50% in around 15 minutes with an adapter that can deliver 60W. A 20W brick still charges fully overnight.
20W USB-C
- Small and cheap
- Full charge overnight
- Slower quick top-ups
30–45W USB-C
- Fast charging on every recent iPhone
- At 35W or more, runs a MagSafe charger at up to 25W on recent models
- Still pocket-sized with GaN
60W+ multi-port GaN
- Fastest wired charging on the 18 Pro
- Charges phone and laptop together
- Bigger brick
Model-specific numbers live in what charger for the iPhone 18 Pro and our blog's what charger the iPhone 17 uses.
04Case and glass: get them on before the first drop
Fit the screen protector first, on a clean screen, then the case. Doing it the other way round leaves the case edge pressing on the glass and causes lifting. Our screen protector install guide has the dust tricks.
- Magnetic case. iPhones have magnets built in, but a thick non-magnetic case weakens the hold for chargers and mounts. A MagSafe-compatible case keeps it strong.
- Raised lip. Look for an edge that rises above the screen and around the camera.
- Clear or colored? If you picked your iPhone for its color, go clear or frosted. Our clear vs colored case page covers yellowing.
- Slim or rugged? Slim is fine for most people. See slim vs rugged.
A magnetic clear case, glass with an alignment box, a camera lens protector and a 3-port GaN charger. Check each title for your model.
05Magnetic extras worth adding later
Nearly every iPhone since the iPhone 12 has a magnet ring on the back (our blog lists which iPhones have MagSafe), and that opens up a whole category of snap-on gear. Buy these once you know how you use the phone, not on day one.
- Magnetic charger: a 15W MagSafe-compatible stand or pad for the nightstand. Browse chargers.
- Grip: the Luxi Snap Grip from our magnetic grips makes one-handed photos safer and doubles as a stand.
- Wallet: fine for two or three cards. Compare it with a folio in wallet case vs MagSafe wallet.
- Magnetic power bank: handy on travel days, slower than a cable. See power banks.
Another USB-C cable on day one (one's in the box), a cheap no-name charger with no PD rating, and a battery case if you only need a boost now and then. A small magnetic power bank does that job and comes off when you don't need it.
06Switching from Android or an older iPhone?
Some of what's in your drawer carries over. Some doesn't. Sort it before you shop, so you only buy what's actually missing.
- USB-C chargers and cables from an Android phone work fine. A USB-C PD charger is a USB-C PD charger. See iPhone and Android chargers for the details.
- Lightning cables and accessories from an iPhone 14 or older won't plug in. Lightning car adapters and docks need replacing.
- Magnetic chargers and mounts from an older MagSafe iPhone work as before, as long as your new case is magnetic.
- Old cases almost never fit. Even when sizes look close, camera bumps and buttons move. Our fit guides, like iPhone 17 Pro case on an 18 Pro, cover the common upgrades.
- Wireless pads for Android usually charge an iPhone too, just without magnetic alignment.
Questions people ask
Does a new iPhone come with a charger?
No. Current iPhones come with a USB-C charge cable but no power adapter. Any USB-C Power Delivery charger works; 20W is a sensible minimum and 30W or more charges faster.
Do I need a screen protector on a new iPhone?
Apple's front glass is tough, but it still scratches from sand and cracks on hard falls. A tempered glass protector is cheap, takes the hit instead, and is easy to replace. We'd fit one on day one.
Do I need a MagSafe case if my iPhone already has magnets?
If you use magnetic chargers, mounts or wallets, yes. A regular case adds distance and weakens the hold. A MagSafe-compatible case has its own magnet ring that keeps accessories firmly attached.
What charger is best for a new iPhone?
A USB-C PD charger rated 30W to 45W suits most people. It charges quickly, and at 35W or more it can run a MagSafe charger at full speed on recent models. On an iPhone 18 Pro, a 60W-capable charger gets Apple's fastest wired speed.
Is a camera lens protector worth it?
If your case has a raised ring around the cameras, it's optional. With a thin case or none, a lens protector stops scratches on the lenses. See our page on whether camera lens protectors are worth it.