Though the Z Flip 3 is now the top-performing folding phone, the original Galaxy Z Flip still has plenty of merits (including a lower price). But since you will be flipping your phone open every time you use it, it is probably a good idea to invest in a better Z Flip case than the clear plastic one they bundle with it.
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $29.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $59.95 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $11.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $13.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $24.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Price: $20.99 Shop now at mobilefun.com | Shop now Read our review |
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Price: $79.95 Shop now at otterbox.com | Shop now Read our review |
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1. Spigen Thin Fit Z Flip Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Magnetic mount compatible
- Grippy design
Cons:- Metal plate may disrupt wireless charging
- Limited color options
- Limited impact resistance
The Spigen Thin Fit Z Flip Case is a simple two-piece case that protects your phone from light drops and scratches without adding too much bulk. Its PC material handles scratches far better than the stock phone and it adds some extra grip as well. This case also has a metal plate on the rear for use with magnetic car mounts. Unfortunately, it can interrupt wireless charging depending on the strength of your charger. This flaw aside, the Spigen Thin Fit is still a decent Z Flip case option.
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2. Samsung Official Z Flip Leather Cover
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Grippy design
- PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Limited impact resistance
- High price tag
- Limited color options
While Samsung has already released an entire suite of protective accessories for the Galaxy Z Fold 3, they only released one official case for this phone: the Samsung Z Flip Leather Cover. This case comes in either black or silver and sports the same two-piece design in either color. This case’s slim snap-on form factor makes it better suited for preventing scratches than absorbing impact from major drops, so it is not a free pass to be reckless with your phone. That said, it provides some extra grip and supports wireless charging so there is certainly no harm in settling for this option.
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3. Case-Mate Tough Case
Pros:- 10-foot drop protection
- Grippy design
- PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Limited color options
- Bulky design
- Stiff button covers
The Case-Mate Tough case stands out from other Z Flip protective options because it offers near-equivalent protection to the top names in the game for about half the price. The Case-Mate Tough touts 10-foot drop protection thanks to its air-cushioned bumper frame. It may be a little bulky but this is necessary to provide edge-to-edge protection from the Z Flip’s many vulnerable corners. It is not too bulky to handle wireless PowerShare, though. The only downside of this case is that it barely comes in any colors.
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4. Araree Aero Galaxy Z Flip Case
Pros:- Grippy design
- Slim and durable
- PowerShare Compatible
Cons:- Bezel could be larger
- Limited color options
- Limited drop protection
If you like the simple design of the stock Galaxy Z Flip clear case but want a little more drop protection, then the Araree Aero Z Flip case is a great choice. This two-piece case uses the same basic design as the case you get with your phone except a little grippier and made with opaque plastic. The red color looks sharp but I wish there were more color options available. This may be a fairly simple case but you don’t want to add too much bulk to the Z Flip as it is already a pretty bulky phone.
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5. Bemz MyJacket Posh Series Wallet Case
Pros:- Holds 12 cards plus cash
- Lightweight and durable
- Lots of color options
Cons:- Z Flip must be stored unflipped
- Bulky design
- Limited impact resistance
Those who were hoping for an official wallet case for the Z Flip will be forced to wait for a bit longer, but in the meantime, the Bemz MyJacket Posh Series case gets the job done. This faux-leather cover is more akin to a clutch bag than a billfold but it is still appropriately-sized to bring along with you wherever you go. The outer pocket is sized to store your Galaxy Fold but it requires you to store it unfolded, leaving the screen more vulnerable to drops than it would be out of the case. We have our hopes up that a better wallet case design will come along, but until then, the Bemz MyJacket Posh is the best you’ll find.
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6. Olixar Leather Universal Pouch Wallet
Price: $20.99Pros:- Holds 4 cards plus cash
- Genuine leather
- Low price tag
Cons:- Z Flip must be stored unflipped
- Limited color options
- Limited drop protection
Okay, so the Olixar Leather Universal Pouch Wallet isn’t actually designed for the Galaxy Z Flip, but we aren’t sure how many different wallet case options are going to be available for this case due to its unique design. This case holds four cards plus cash while providing a basic protective layer for your phone, so it meets the basic requirements one would expect from a wallet case. Unfortunately, the Z Flip fits best into this case unfolded, which kind of defeats the whole purpose. We only recommend this case as a place-holder until something specifically designed for this folding phone comes along.
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7. OtterBox Symmetry Series Flex Case
Price: $79.95Pros:- Slim and durable
- Limited lifetime warranty
- PowerShare Compatible
Cons:- Clear plastic discolors easily
- Limited impact resistance
- High price tag
The OtterBox Symmetry Series Flex case strikes a fine balance between protection and portability, allowing you to keep your Galaxy Z Flip safe without stretching your pockets at the seams. It uses a rubbery TPU bumper frame to absorb impact to the phone’s vulnerable edges while its clear PC backplate eats up scratches instead of the finish on your phone. The clear plastic is a nice touch because it shows off the naked beauty of your phone without leaving it susceptible to scuffs. Clear plastic can become discolored over time but OtterBox backs this case with a limited lifetime warranty, all but ensuring it will outlast your phone.
Does the Galaxy Z Flip Come With a Case?
If you haven't yet bought a Galaxy Z Flip, then you may not know that this phone actually comes with a clear TPU case in the box. Unfortunately, the reason why no one is talking about this thoughtful move from Samsung is that the case pretty much sucks.
That's why I'm glad that some more qualified case manufacturers took their own shot at providing a cover for the Galaxy Z Fold. (To that point, I like Samsung's official Z Flip leather cover but I agree with CNN writer Jacob Krol who wrote that the Galaxy Z Fold should come with this leather case instead of the crummy plastic one).
Is The Folding Screen Ready for Prime Time?
Folding touchscreens are a fairly new addition to smartphones and as of right now, there are only a handful of phones sporting this tech. So the question is: are folding touchscreens the future or are they merely a gimmick? Thoughtful reviews like this write-up from Cnet assert that this experimental phone is the real deal.
The folding phone allows a lot of utility, as it can be used when it is open or closed thanks to an external touchscreen for notifications. It can even be flipped half-open for use as a mini laptop. However, this design isn't without its disadvantages.
The most glaring flaw of the Galaxy Z Flip is that its bendable glass display is fragile, with early users reporting that the seam of the screen cracked in shipping. The phone is also vulnerable to water and dust because of the moving parts in its hinge.
But if you're looking for a phone case then you probably already know that you should be extra careful with any piece of fancy tech.