In mobile circles, the new year means one thing – a new Samsung Galaxy range. Samsung has unveiled its latest Galaxy S23 lineup — featuring the Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra. And, as usual, Samsung has created some of the most desirable smartphones in the business. The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the cheapest on offer, but don't make the mistake of thinking it's a lesser phone. It has a 120Hz refresh rate, some top-quality cameras, and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor powering it all.
But that doesn't mean it's immune to bumps, scratches, and drops. Your new phone will come to you pristine and gorgeous, and if you want to keep it that way, investing in some protection is a good idea. Here are some of the best Samsung Galaxy S23 cases to protect your amazing new smartphone from damage.
- Caseology Parallax Case
- Ghostek Exec Backpack Wallet Case
- Poetic Neon Rugged Case
- Scooch Wingman Case
- Spigen Thin Fit Case
- Kate Spade New York Defensive Hardshell Case
- Otterbox Defender Series Case
- Samsung S-View Wallet Case
- Incipio Duo Case
- Samsung Clear Gadget Case
- Okzilla All-round Clear Case
- Nillkin Camshield Bounce Case
- Ringke Onyx Anti-slip Case
- Spidercase Waterproof Case with Built-in Screen Protector
- Armor-X MX-S Waterproof Case with Carabiner & X-Mount
Caseology Parallax Case
Best textured Galaxy S23 case
- Great, eye-catching design
- Grippy edges and textured back panel
- Raised edges and good protection
- Only provides medium protection
Your phone spends a lot of time in your hands, so it should feel as good as it looks. Caseology's Parallax case is a doughty veteran of the accessory market and a strong inclusion in this list.
The key feature is the 3D Hexa Cube design, which offers a great feel, as well as additional grip, which is further enhanced by the TPU edging all the way around the case. Raised bezels elevate your phone from potentially dirty surfaces, and the military-grade materials give you good protection against bumps and drops. It's not going to be as protective as a proper rugged case, but as an everyday option that protects well and looks fantastic on a desk (and feels even better), this well-priced case is a good option.
Ghostek Exec Backpack Wallet Case
Best rugged wallet Galaxy S23 case
- Detachable wallet backpack has room for three credit cards
- Strong protection
- Supports all of the S23's features
- On the expensive side
Wallet cases are amazing for allowing you to leave your wallet or purse behind and go off with just your phone. But a leather wallet case, while versatile, is often not quite as tough and rugged as a strong case. Ghostek has combined the two, and done it extremely well.
R7X protection means it's strongly insulated against drops and bumps, has an anti-slip grip, and raised bezels to keep the display and camera lenses protected from surfaces. The backpack holds up to three credit cards, can be removed if it's not needed, and magnets keep it secured in place when you do need it. It's on the expensive side for sure, but with an offering of tough protection and a versatile wallet, the Ghostek Exec is a great Galaxy S23 case.
Poetic Neon Rugged Case
Best eye-catching Galaxy S23 case
- Interesting neon style
- Strong protection
- Great price
- Design may not be for everyone
Poetic is known for its Guardian case, but it has great options outside of that, and the Neon is one of those. The more understated entry in Poetic's roster, the Neon case is very much a quieter style from the other cases — but Poetic still couldn't resist putting in the bold orange stripe along the edges.
It's slim, but still has plenty of protection thanks to the dual-layer construction and thorough drop-testing. It has textured sides and panels for extra grip, and raised bezels are also present to help keep your phone from resting in dirt or grit. Best of all, the price is extremely reasonable, though you may find the design isn't for you.
Scooch Wingman Case
Best versatile Galaxy S23 case
- Versatile clickstand
- Well protected
- Clear design
- Doesn't work with wireless charging
There's so much to do with your new Galaxy S23, so you need a case that supports as many of those uses as possible. Scooch's Wingman case is there for you for a variety of needs.
Scooch's unique Clickstand folds out when needed, and can be used to provide extra grip for your device, as a horizontal or vertical kickstand, or even as a car mount in a pinch. Just insert the Clickstand into an air vent, and it should hold your device in place. It's an exceptional case, especially since it doesn't skimp on protection, either. It's well protected, with drop resistance of up to ten feet. And since it's clear, it also allows you to show off your new Galaxy S23's design.
Spigen Thin Fit Case
Best thin Galaxy S23 case
- Thin design
- Compatible with wireless charging
- Comfortable polycarbonate material
- Only one color option
Spigen's Thin Fit case for the Galaxy S23 is perfect for those wanting to appreciate the phone's sleek design while protecting it from scratches, chips, and breaks. While the Thin Fit may be a little less protective than other bulkier options, it more than makes up for it in comfort.
The polycarbonate material it's made from gives your hand something solid to grip without being too rough in your pocket. Despite its thin design, the case also uses Spigen's Air Cushion technology to help reduce the impact of drops, keeping your Galaxy S23 safe while also looking sleek.
Kate Spade New York Defensive Hardshell Case
Best stylish Galaxy S23 case
- Stylish designs
- 12-foot drop protection
- Protective button coverings
- Pricey
Kate Spade is a brand synonymous with style, and its Galaxy S23 cases prove that. The Defensive Hardshell Case comes in three stylish designs that show off the beauty of the S23 with its clear coating while overlaying a nice, paint-like print design.
In addition to looking good, the case also offers 12-foot drop protection, making it a great choice for anyone looking to keep their phone safe from even the nastiest of drops thanks to the shock-absorbing, cushioned bumper that surrounds the edge of the case. Unfortunately, the case is listed at a high price, as is often the case when shopping for designer items.
Otterbox Defender Series Case
Best durable Galaxy S23 case
- Excellent phone protection
- Detachable clip holster
- Reputable brand
- Poor color options
- Expensive
Otterbox is known for making high-quality, long-lasting cases that keep phones safe even after taking the hardest hits and highest falls. The Galaxy S23 Otterbox from the Defender Series is no exception and offers the same quality-assured protection that the company is known for.
In addition to the case, buyers get a detachable clip that allows them to secure their phone to a pocket or bag or simply use the clip as a makeshift stand for horizontal viewing. The S23 Otterbox is a little bit more expensive than other cases on this list. However, its durability and longevity can help justify the pricy buy-in cost.
Samsung S-View Wallet Case
Best wallet Galaxy S23 case
- Wallet insert
- Screen-protecting front flap with display window cutout
- Solid color options
- No drop protection
Now that phones have joined wallets and keys as one of the things most people won't leave the house without, some feel that they're beginning to feel overwhelmed by the number of things they have to keep track of in their pockets. Luckily, the Samsung S-View Wallet Case combines your wallet with your phone to reduce the number of things weighing your pockets down.
The S-View case comes with a screen-protecting front flap that has a display window cutout, meaning that if you're glancing at your phone to check the time or see a notification, you won't need to go through all the trouble of opening the flap and revealing your wallet. It's a solid two-in-one accessory — but be warned: the S-View Wallet Case doesn't provide any drop protection, so you'll need to be more careful with your phone than if you picked up any of the other cases on this list.
Incipio Duo Case
Best dual-layer Galaxy S23 case
- Two-piece protective case
- Antimicrobial
- Lifetime warranty
- Limited color options
Incipio's Duo cases are known for being solid picks for those looking for a non-bulky case that still offers great drop protection. The Duo for the Galaxy S23 offers drop protection of up to 12 feet, an impressive distance for a case so small, thanks to its two-piece design that's meant to absorb as much shock as possible.
In addition to its protective qualities, the Duo case is made from recycled materials and is antimicrobial. That means you can bring your phone to your ear without worrying about what harmful, unseen microbes might be living on it. Unfortunately, the case is only offered in black, blue, and red. However, the Duo is a great pick if you're looking for a minimalist case that still offers plenty of protection.
Samsung Clear Gadget Case
Best unique Galaxy S23 case
- Multifunctional rear grip
- See-through design
- Official Samsung product
- Works with other Samsung case accessories
- No drop protection
- Expensive despite lack of protective features
Grip accessories can make holding phones one-handed much more comfortable, and the Samsung Gadget Case is designed specifically with comfort, usability, and versatility in mind. The completely see-through case features a detachable, multifunctional rear grip that acts as grip support and as a kickstand for horizontal viewing that adds a level of comfort to using the Galaxy S23 that isn't there on most other cases. Furthermore, you can pop off the rear grip and attach other official accessories (such as a miniature tripod).
While the comfort factor is top-notch, the case is lacking in a lot of the protection features that other cases on this list sport. Obviously, any case is going to help protect the back of your phone from scratches and chips; however, the Gadget Case doesn't provide any sort of impact reduction for drops. That said, if you use the rear grip well, you may experience fewer drops in general.
Okzilla All-round Clear Case
Best clear Galaxy S23 case
- Mix of materials for good protection
- Shows off design
- Slim and lightweight
- Not as protective as a rugged case
The Galaxy S23 is a gorgeous phone; you may not want to hide that behind a protective case. If that describes you, don't risk damage to your new device – invest in a clear case instead! This clear case from Okzilla is a strong example of a good clear case, as its clear style doesn't impinge on its protective qualities. It's lightweight and made from a mix of materials. The absorbent TPU frame combines with the rigid polycarbonate (PC) back panel to protect against drops, bumps, scratches, and anything that can threaten it in everyday life.
The materials resist yellowing as they age, too, so the case won't start looking grubby later in life. It's very much just an everyday case though, and if you're looking for something with more protective qualities, then you may wish to look at another option. This is a great case if you want to show off your S23 and are happy with a good level of protection.
Nillkin Camshield Bounce Case
Best protective Galaxy S23 case
- Great camera protection
- Strong grip
- Dual-layer construction is durable
- Doesn't work with wireless charging
Even the most protective cases tend to leave the camera lenses exposed, which is a strange omission when you see how easy it's been for Nillkin to close up that particular vulnerability. Nillkin's Camshield case does exactly what the name suggests, with a specialized sliding cover for the camera that keeps your lenses safe from harm when you're not actively taking pictures. A dual-layer build of TPU and PC means it's protective against a range of hazards, and it has corner bumpers to protect it even further against drops and bumps.
It's not perfect. The camera shield means quick shots are slower to take, so if you're used to quickly pulling out your phone and snapping as fast as you can, you'll need to get used to the shield being in the way. Also, it doesn't work at all with wireless charging, which is a bother if you're a fan.
Ringke Onyx Anti-slip Case
Best grip Galaxy S23 case
- Great grip
- Great style and texture
- Great price
- Protection could be better
Ringke is a well-known and trusted name in the accessory business, so there's no surprise it jumped on the Samsung Galaxy S23 very early. The Onyx is as close to a basic case as Ringke tends to get, and it doesn't have the usual stand-out design we've come to expect. Regardless, it's a great case with a relatively plain look, but one that feels amazing in the hand due to the sandstone-style texture. As such, it imparts fantastic levels of grip, and that's helped by the flexible TPU material. That TPU also helps to bolster the case against bumps and drops, though it's not likely to be much help against big bad drops in the way a more rugged case would be.
It has all of Ringke's usual features, too — including the QuikCatch lanyard attachment point and raised edges for the camera and display, and it all comes at a very good price. This is a great choice if you loved OnePlus's sandstone cases or love the idea of a lanyard attachment.
Spidercase Waterproof Case with Built-in Screen Protector
Best waterproof Galaxy S23 case
- Waterproof
- Rugged and protective
- Allows access to all features
- Adds some additional bulk
The Samsung Galaxy S23 has an IP68 water-resistance rating, but there's no harm in doubling up on protection when there's a flagship phone at stake. The Spidercase case offers a wide range of additional protection for your smartphone, making it a great choice for the more adventurous. It's water, snow, and dustproof, and has some excellent protective qualities that make it shockproof as well. A shock-absorbing bumper keeps your device safe from bumps and drops, and the combo of the hard back plate and built-in screen protector gives you great all-around protection.
It doesn't interfere with any of your features, including wireless charging, which is a big bonus. It's slim for a rugged case, but it still adds a good amount of additional bulk to your device — especially around the edges. It's also not stylish, though the clear back allows your phone's design to shine through.
Armor-X MX-S Waterproof Case with Carabiner & X-Mount
Best rugged Galaxy S23 case
- Very protective and rugged
- Waterproof
- Multiple mounting options
- Expensive
- Bulky
Armor-X specializes in offering some of the most versatile and protective cases on the market, and this case is no different. It's fully waterproof, offers drop protection of up to 4 feet, and there's built-in screen protection and port covers too. Armor-X's range of mounting options backs up that all-around protection, and you can use the X-Mount to attach your phone to a belt clip, bike mount, and armband (purchased separately). There's even a carabiner you can use if you want to attach your phone to a bag or strap.
It's on the larger side where cases are concerned, though if you're shopping for something this protective, you may not mind so much. It's also extremely expensive, which is a much larger barrier to entry. But if you're happy to invest (and invest further for the X-Mount system), this is an excellent rugged case.
Looking for more Galaxy S23 cases? See our picks for the best Galaxy S23 Plus cases and best Galaxy S23 Ultra cases.
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