the Galaxy S23 just dropped, becoming the latest and greatest in a long line of excellent phones. But just because Galaxy S22 The series is no longer Samsung’s flagship lineup, don’t worry. The S22 series are excellent phone options, with powerful hardware and state-of-the-art displays. No doubt they are still some of the best Android phones outside, but that doesn’t mean the devices are immune to drops and scratches. And that makes it even more important to protect them with a good lawsuit. But deciding which case is right for you can be a challenge with so many options on the market.
Finding a case that’s the right price for your budget is important, and there are plenty of affordable cases out there, but there are additional features and functions that you’ll want to consider when looking at cases as well. For example, the best S22 Ultra Case options may include a kickstand, which is helpful since the phone is quite heavy. A slim case may be best for smaller ones S22 Plus (with a 6.6-inch screen), which we like to refer to as the middle child of the S22 line, as well as the standard S22 (6.1 inches), which is the most “compact” of the trio. A case with card slots or hard protection may be best for your phone, or even a case that will help extend your battery life.
Everyone has their own opinions about what features make up the best Samsung case — and the best case for phones in general. Ultimately, the best protection depends on your unique needs. So my picks come in a variety of styles, from clear to opaque, and from slimmer models to sturdier armor cases and folio wallet cases.
Keep in mind that some of the recommendations for these Galaxy S22 series cases are based on my experience using almost identical models of previous Galaxy smartphones, as well iPhones. The cases below are listed at the starting price for the line, so make sure you buy the case that fits your S22. The same goes for the tempered glass for added protection – match the size to the specific model of your S22.
Without further ado, here are some of the best S22 Ultra case, Plus case and standard case options. I regularly update this best Samsung case roundup with new picks as more candidates come in.
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Leading case maker Speck brings a selection of protective case options to the Galaxy S22, including (from left to right in the photo above) the Presidio Perfect-Clear Ombre, Presidio2 Grip and Presidio Perfect- Clear.
All new models feature excellent spill protection (13 to 16 feet, depending on model) as well as Speck’s Microban antimicrobial coating. Cases start at around $20 in a variety of color options. Speck sometimes offers discounts to first-time buyers on its site.
Gear4
British case-maker Gear4, now owned by Zagg, makes the cases that go with OtterBox and Speck. They’re all lined with the company’s D3O shock-absorbing material and have beveled edges to protect your phone. Shown here from left to right are Copenhagen (13-foot drop protection), Denali (16-foot drop protection), Milan (13-foot drop protection) and Crystal Palace (13-foot drop protection). All use some recycled plastic in their construction, but Copenhagen, made from 52% plant-based material, is technically the most eco-friendly.
Prices range from $30 to $50 for the top-end Denali, which is the Gear4 case I probably want, though it’s currently on sale for just $10, along with many other options.
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If you’re looking for an affordable clear case for your new Galaxy S22, Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid is a good value at around $15 to $17, depending on the version you get. I like the Ultra Hybrid S (second from left in the photo), which has an integrated kickstand. The Neo Hybrid, far right, is a fairly basic case, while the Cryo Armor (second from right) is a $22 triple layer “gaming” case designed to “absorb and dissipate heat from your phone during game hours.”
There’s no drop rating listed for these Samsung phone cases, but most Spigen cases, except for the slimmest models, provide reasonable protection. If you want a tough case with decent protection, get one of the Armor models.
Note that many of these cheaper clear cases have a tendency to yellow and deteriorate over time, making them less translucent. But it’s cheap enough that you probably won’t mind shelling out for a replacement if and when that happens.
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The company’s super protective Defender series case is available for all Galaxy S22 models, but most people want something less bulky. I love the Symmetry series cases — they’re slim with beveled edges, making them a great mix of sleek and protective. That said, I prefer the more protective Commuter Series better, thanks to the grips on the back and sides, as well as the raised edges on the front that help protect your screen. The raised bezel acts as a screen protector to keep your screen scratch-free and the camera module gets the same treatment.
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Rokform has been making tough smartphone cases for years and apart from their durability, their key feature is the ability to use them with a variety of mounts – including bike, car and motorcycle mounts. – sold separately.
Rokform cases have removable magnets and they are compatible with wireless charging if you remove the included center magnet. “Before the bottom magnet, you could still wirelessly charge while using the magnetic mounting and all of our mounts,” Rokform said.
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Available in a few color options, Raptic’s Shield case is less expensive than competing premium cases from Speck and OtterBox and is a good value overall. It has 10-foot drop protection, as well as an antimicrobial treatment.
Samsung
Samsung’s Clear Standing Cover isn’t anything fancy but it’s a protective clear case with an integrated kickstand. You can prop up your phone horizontally or vertically with the kickstand, which seems sturdy (it’s bigger than Spigen’s integrated kickstand). Alas, it is out of stock but I hope it will be sent soon.
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Available in black, burgundy and light grey, Samsung’s leather case offers a nice soft touch feel with decent protection inside a slim package. Alas, there’s no kickstand, but if you’re looking for a clean, elegantly designed case, this Samsung-branded case fits the bill. It also offers decent protection for the rear camera lenses. I personally like the burgundy color.
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If you have a phone with a large screen, it might be a good idea to get some extra screen protection with a folio case that has slots for a couple of credit cards. Otterbox’s folio case, the Strada, is well designed with a magnetic clasp. Its only drawback is that it cannot be a kickstand for watching videos. It’s only available in black at the moment.
Otterbox also makes the Strada Via folio, but I prefer this model.
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Cyrill is a sub-brand of Spigen and like Spigen, its cases usually sell for less than $20. Cyrill doesn’t have the same selection for the Galaxy S22 as for the iPhone 13, but it does have some protective clear cases with floral designs (pictured right), as well as Brick Matte Finish case (the blue and red. photo cases), with a soft-to-the-touch finish. It has a raised frame on the back that provides extra protection for the camera lenses. The corners of the case have a raised lip as well.
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Especially with the two larger Galaxy S22 models, I find having an integrated kickstand to be a nice feature and the ESR kickstand case is about as cheap as you can get at $20. It should dip closer to $15 over time.
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The LifeProof Wake case is made from recycled marine plastic. It’s attractively designed but I wouldn’t call it super tough — it’s not attached to the bottom and has 6-foot drop protection. (Note that some cases on this list have higher drop-protection ratings.)
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For the Galaxy S22, UK-based Mous brings the Limitless 3.0 case ($60) to the Galaxy S22. It comes in a few different eye-catching styles, all lined with AiroShock material that the company says provides excellent protection in a slim design. They seem durable and all include a lifetime warranty.
Mous’ Limitless 3.0 cases are compatible with the company’s Limitless 3.0 accessories. That includes a wallet that magnetically adheres to the back of the phone case and a few mounts, one of which is an air-vent mount for your car.
It’s also worth noting that the Limitless 3.0 cases are the only ones I’ve seen that have a SIM-card storage slot inside the smartphone case for international travelers in the SIM swapping habit. You can also grab select styles currently on sale at Mous.
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