Not everybody is going to be able to afford to give something as pricey as an iPhone this Christmas, but if you know somebody who already has one, there’s always the option to get them an accessory to compliment it. In this guide, we’ll be looking at some of the best accessories you can find for the iPhone 5 including docks and cases, as well as some more exotic mods that can dramatically change your iPhone 5’s look or functionality. All make great gifts, whether you’re buying for yourself or a friend. Let’s have a look at these suggestions – all of which are in stock at their respective retailers and should ship well in time for the holidays!
iPhone 5 Cases
Protective case: Tech 21 Impact Snap with Cover
The Tech21 Impact Snap is a rather clever case that makes use of a unique technology: The D3O impact-resistant material. The raw material is soft as putty normally, but becomes rock-hard when it experiences an impact. When infused in a case, it provides excellent drop protection without a lot of bulk; absolutely ideal.
Stylish case: Draco Design Aluminium Case
This beautiful and stylish case comes from the Japanese Draco Design crew. A Galaxy SII variant of the case won a red dot design award last year, and it’s easy to see why. This iPhone 5 case, made of aircraft-grade aluminium, looks gorgeous and is slim too. It screws together around the iPhone 5, ensuring that you’ve got always-on protection.
Battery case: Power Jacket 2200 mAh
If you’re looking to get a little more out of your iPhone 5, why not go for a case that includes a 2200 mAh battery? That’s the thinking behind the Power Jacket, which uses a battery both to massively extend the battery life of your iPhone 5 and provide protection against scratches and impacts. It’s noticeably bigger and thicker than a naked iPhone, but you’ll reap the rewards in longevity and protection.
iPhone 5 Docks
Desk dock: Sync and Charge Dock
This simple and stylish iPhone 5 docking station provides power to your iPhone 5 and keeps it an elevated position. It’s a sensible, no-nonsense dock that does its job well and for a low price.
Speaker dock: JBL OnBeat Micro
If you’re looking to listen to some music from your iPhone 5, one of the easiest ways is with a JBL OnBeat Micro speaker dock. The Lightning-connector dock plugs directly into the iPhone 5, providing quality JBL speakers that sound great and really fill up a room in the way that the iPhone 5 alone cannot.
iPhone 5 Mods
Alternate colours: AnoStyle
If you fancy an iPhone (or iPad Mini!) in a different colour, you can get it re-anodised in a number of different colours by US outfit AnoStyle. While it’s only available for customers in the US, the service will take your existing iPhone and give it the ultimate unique look, blinging it out in style.
Photography: TurtleJacket PentaEye
If you’re serious about iPhone photography, the PentaEye from TurtleJacket is just the thing. It adds five lenses to your iPhone 5, offering a number of different perspectives from which you can take photographs, including fish eye, wide angle, telescopic and macro. It also includes easy mounting for 37 mm lenses and tripods.
We hope you found these selections useful! If you’ve got any iPhone 5 gift questions, feel free to let us know in the comments below, or via our Facebook page.