On the iPhone 17 Pro, the ROXX NextEra had one weak spot, and that was the Camera Control button. So that’s the first thing I checked on the iPhone 18 Pro. The short version is that the problem is gone, and the NextEra came out on top in my ten-case comparison. Here’s why, and where it still falls short.
First Impression and Material
The outside of the NextEra is covered in a fabric that feels like the headband of the AirPods Max. If you know those headphones, you know the feel: soft, finely textured, very premium. You could easily believe Apple made this case. The buttons are metal with a slight shine, and there’s a metal ring around the camera too. There’s no color choice right now, since the NextEra only comes in black. On a black iPhone 18 Pro, though, it matches perfectly.
On the scale the case weighs 40 grams. That’s a few grams more than Apple’s TechWoven Case, and the reason is the microfiber lining, which Apple leaves out of the TechWoven.
Protection: Hard Shell, Lining, High Lips
Under the fabric is a real hard shell. You can’t squeeze the case in the middle, and getting the phone out takes real effort. That’s exactly what I want to see. The iPhone sits tightly enough that it won’t pop out in a fall. Two other cases in the test did worse here, and I could push the phone out of them with my thumb.
Inside, the NextEra is lined with soft microfiber. It sounds like a detail, but on the iPhone 18 Pro it matters. The back scratches easily, and a single grain of sand between case and phone is enough to do it. The microfiber holds grains like that in place.
The screen lip sits high. Even with a screen protector applied, there are still about two millimeters of clearance. You’ll find protectors that fit in my iPhone 18 Pro screen protector test. On the back, the camera lenses sit well below the lip, where on the 17 Pro Max they were almost flush. The camera cutout is also made specifically for the 18 Pro, and an old 17 Pro case doesn’t fit there properly.
Buttons and Camera Control
This was the sticking point of the old version. On the 18 Pro everything works: a single press opens the camera, a double press switches settings, and light presses and swipes work too. Taking a photo is just as reliable as with Apple’s own case. The metal side buttons have an Apple-level click, and you can hear it.
MagSafe: 1.59 kg Holding Strength
MagSafe charging works without issues. The holding strength is more interesting. I measure it with a force gauge on a MagSafe stand, and anything above 1 kg is good. The NextEra reached 1.59 kg, more than Apple’s TechWoven Case at 1.42 kg. That put it in third place in the whole test, and it’s plenty for a car mount on a bumpy road.
Weaknesses
It’s not perfect. The fabric picks up scuffs if the phone lands on asphalt or concrete, much like Apple’s cases do. The iPhone inside stays intact, but the case looks used afterwards. It also picks up a few fingerprints, and it only comes in black.
Price
The NextEra costs about $33. For comparison, Apple’s TechWoven Case is about $75 and the Mous about $82. For what the NextEra offers, that’s the lowest price among the premium cases in the test.
Verdict
The ROXX NextEra combines a premium feel with real protection. It has a hard shell, a microfiber lining, high lips, a working Camera Control and one of the strongest magnets in the test, all at just 40 grams. For me it’s the best case for the iPhone 18 Pro, and I use it on my own 18 Pro Max. See how it stacks up against the other nine in my roundup of the best iPhone 18 Pro cases.
View the ROXX NextEra on Amazon
More Tests
Waiting for the iPhone Duo? Check out my tests of iPhone Duo cases and iPhone Duo screen protectors. And to find out how fast your charger really charges the 18 Pro, try my free Charge Check.