Samsung
Given the rate at which hardware is improving, Samsung only needs to make slight updates to their high-end Ultra Series handset to maintain dominance in the Android phone market. But the S23 Ultra far surpasses its predecessor, the S22 Ultra, in the photography and base storage department. And that makes it a device that is absolutely worth preserving for the full term of its lifespan. Read on below to browse my picks for the best Galaxy S23 Ultra cases for keeping your phone day-one fresh.
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Price: $64.95 Shop now at OtterBox | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $25.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $19.95 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $26.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $26.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $34.49 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $69.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $13.60 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Price: $69.99 Shop now at samsung.com | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $32.89 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $54.95 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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1. EDITOR’S CHOICE: OtterBox Defender Pro
Price: $64.95Pros:- Military-grade drop tested
- Antimicrobial coating
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
- Rubber port cover
Cons:- High price tag
- Bulky design
- Limited color options
I like to keep things simple. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a big and expensive handset and therefore you need a big and expensive case like the OtterBox Defender Pro to protect it. Pairing a bulky defender case with a 6.8-inch phone might seem like a mismatch to some, but it is the best way to prolong the lifespan of your premium phone, which you should absolutely want to do.
There’s no big secret to the phone’s design, either. It uses two distinct layers of polycarbonate and rubber to absorb shock and prevent scratches. And the case’s large raised bezel extends this protection to the front screen and rear camera array. Another useful feature is the silver-based antimicrobial coating, which prevents the growth of bacteria on your case.
OtterBox cases aren’t the most feature-packed but the company always nails the details that matter. That’s why the Defender Pro is my go-to choice for everything from the Galaxy S23 Ultra to the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
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2. Spigen Cryo Armor Case
Pros:- Inner cooling layer
- Grippy design
- Slim and durable
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Shows scratches easily
- Stiff button covers
- Limited color options
If you plan to take advantage of the S23 Ultra’s crazy-fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU for some sweet mobile gaming, then the Spigen Cryo Armor Case should definitely be on your radar. (Just how fast is this new CPU? Check out GSM Arena’s benchmarks for the full scoop.) The biggest feature on this case is its inner graphite sheet and thermo-silicone layer, specially designed to keep your phone cool during use.
It acts a heat sink and then disperses the heat through vents cleverly built into the phone’s backplate. The case also features a layer of protective TPU, reinforced with air pockets strategically positioned over your phone’s vulnerable edges. These raised edges also help protect your S23 Ultra’s front display and rear camera array. And it does so without interfering with the phone’s wireless PowerShare capabilities.
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3. Poetic Spartan Case
Pros:- Built-in kickstand
- Built-in screen protector
- Rubber port cover
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Limited color options
- Bulky design
- Could be grippier
There are a lots of reasons why I like the Poetic Spartan Case. From its rugged bumper frame down to its rubber charge port cover, the whole design puts function-first. And while the case does suffer in the aesthetics department as a result, it’s an easy tradeoff or a case this practical.
The most striking feature of the Spartan case is its built-in screen protector, which snaps over the body of the case to form a protective bezel. It is made from TPU instead of Gorilla Glass but it still protects from basic scratches and reads fingerprints easily.
The main portion of the case is thoughtfully designed as well, adding bulk where it is needed and cutting it where it isn’t. This is appreciated considering how hard the 6.8-inch S23 Ultra is to hold. Another nice touch is the media viewing kickstand build into the backplate. And wireless charging still works great too.
I also consider this to be one of the best S23+ cases as well.
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4. VRS Damda Glide Hybrid Card Case
Pros:- Holds 4 cards
- Lightweight and durable
- Built-in kickstand
- Grippy design
Cons:- Not PowerShare compatible
- Limited color options
- Bulky design
The VRS Damda Glide Hybrid is equal parts protective case and card case, making it a great option for users trying to ditch their bulky billfold. Yes, it is a little bulky, but this should be expected from a case that packs premium protection, a media kickstand, and a hidden slot to hold four cards. And it’s still thinner than my leather wallet.
The case has a grippy texture so you won’t have to worry about the phone slipping out of your hand and a cutout corner makes accessing your phone’s S-Pen super easy. Just note that it won’t work with most wireless chargers unless you remove the credit cards.
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5. i-Blason Cosmo Series Case
Pros:- Large front bezel
- Built-in screen protector
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Could be grippier
- Limited color options
- Stiff button covers
The i-Blason Cosmo is a stylish hybrid-style case that adds both color and flair to your phone. The case comes in a number of interesting colors and designs, though none that particularly match the S23 Ultra’s stock colorways. The metallic accent pieces make it look more expensive than it is too.
The main reason I like this case, though, is its protective two-piece design. It combines your normal bumper frame design with a snap-on front cover with an optional screen protector. It uses a large raised bezel to further protect your phone’s 6.8-inch AMOLED 2X display from damage while leaving the grippable parts of the phone slim. It works great with wireless charging too.
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6. Incipio Organicore Clear
Pros:- Lightweight yet durable
- 100% compostable design
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons:- Clear cases discolor over time
- Shows fingerprints easily
- Limited color options
While most tech manufacturers actively avoid audits of their ecological impact, the Incipio Organicore Clear strives for an industry that is more transparent—pun intended. This case leads by example with a 100% compostable design made from plants, as well as a promise of one tree will be planted in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects for every case sold.
And sustainability isn’t the only reason I like this case. It is also slim, durable, and wireless PowerShare-compatible. The dual-layer case survived drop tests up to 14 feet and has a nice grippy texture on its raised edges. It is backed by a lifetime warranty to boot.
I do wish this case came in more colorways and also that it wasn’t such a fingerprint magnet. But on the other hand, tradeoffs have to be made if we want to live in a more sustainable worlds.
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7. Mous Limitless 5.0 Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Premium materials
- MagSafe compatible
Cons:- Limited drop protection
- High price tag
- Could be grippier
The Mous Limitless 5.0 offers style and protection for your S23 Ultra without adding too much extra bulk. The standout feature of this case is its different backplate options, which range from Bamboo to Leather, to Aramid Carbon Fiber. I think the latter best complements the S23 Ultra, though, as they are both high-tech and expensive.
In a bid to merge the accessory ecosystems of the two mobile phone giants, this case supports Apple’s MagSafe accessories and Samsung’s own Wireless PowerShare functionality. And considering that I live in a mixed-OS household, I can definitely get down with this. The bezel for this case could be a little larger but it still offers good enough protection against day-to-day abuse.
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8. Speck Presidio Perfect-Mist
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Antimicrobial coating
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:- Limited color options
- Bezel could be larger
- Could be grippier
The Speck Presidio Perfect-Mist is an ultra-sleek hybrid case that provides dual-layer drop protection while adding minimal bulk to the phablet-sized S23 Ultra. This results in more drop protection without making your phone any harder to fit in a pocket. It uses a bumper frame design to protect your phone’s vulnerable edges without radically altering the dimensions.
One detail I greatly appreciate is the addition of Microban protection, which prevents the growth of bacteria on your phone case cover (because let’s be honest—we all use our phones in the bathroom). The case is also wireless charging-friendly and backed by a lifetime warranty. And while it is a small detail, I think the Perfect-Mist has one of the best S-Pen cutout slots out of any case I tested.
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9. Samsung Titan Gadget Case
Price: $69.99Pros:- Modular accessory support
- Large raised bezel
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
- Grippy design
Cons:- High price tag
- Bulky design
- Limited color options
The Titan Gadget is a new case from Samsung that adds a feature that I’ve been yearning after for a while now: modular accessories. Supported accessories include a kickstand/ring holder, a card holder, and a tripod mount, with more to come.
The case is quite durable as well. It has a large raised bezel for all-angle protection and a nice grippy texture to prevent drops outright. Its air-cushioned edges can cause trouble in your pockets but that was already going to be a problem given the phablet form factor of the S23 Ultra. The case works with wireless charging as well but only without any accesories attached.
This case is an equally good option for Galaxy S23 users as well.
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10. Zizo Bolt Series Case
Pros:- Military-grade drop tested
- Built-in kickstand
- Included screen protector
- Grippy design
Cons:- Unusual design
- Stiff button covers
- Bulky design
The Zizo Bolt may look unusual but it is a surprisingly capable protective case that will shield your S23 Ultra from drops, scratches, and bumps alike. It pairs a rigid bumper frame with a grippy design to both absorb shock and prevent drops outright.
It also has a variety of bonus features, including a built-in media viewing kickstand, an included belt clip, and an included screen protector. The screen protector is made from tempered glass but it is thinner than the high-end screen protectors available out there. And this case works great with wireless PowerShare.
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11. UAG Metropolis LT Pro Case
Pros:- Lightweight and durable
- Magnetic accessory compatible
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
- Grippy design
Cons:- Limited color options
- High price tag
- Bezel could be larger
The Metropolis LT Pro is a new case mold from Urban Armor Gear that combines the ultra-rugged construction of their Monarch case with MagSafe support. Yes, you read correctly. This case has a magnet module so you can use Apple’s MagSafe compatible accessories on your Samsung S23 Ultra without compromising wireless charging. Split households rejoice.
However, in my opinion, the premium materials used on the Metropolis LT Pro are its main selling point. This case design combines a strong TPU frame with a Kevlar inlay on the backplate to make for a strong, stylish, and surprisingly thin case. Unfortunately, there’s not enough Kevlar in this case to stop a bullet, but there is enough shock-absorbing material to absorb shock from drops up to 18 feet in height. The case is fairly grippy too. The only thing to dislike about this case is the price. But, hey, you get what you pay for.
Do You Really Need an S23 Ultra Case?
I've been reviewing cases long enough that I remember a time when I had to convince readers on this question. Thankfully, the general public largely agrees that cases are necessary. As asserted by this recent study from Statista, approximately 80 percent of phone users already use a case on their phones. That's probably higher than the percentage of people who use their turn signals while driving.
With numbers like that, putting a case on your Galaxy S23 Ultra seems like a no-brainer. So now, onto the important conversation. How do you find the right one for your needs?
How I Chose the Best S23 Ultra Cases
As much as I love treating my opinions like facts, the truth is that finding the right case for your particular needs is a wholly personal experience. That's why I've made it a point to consider all the different kinds of users who would be drawn to this phone when ranking the best S23 Ultra cases.
I keep my criteria simple by focusing on the three Ps: protection, portability, and pattern. Of them, protection is the most self-explanatory and arguably the most important. It, of course, factors just how well a case shields your phone against drops and scratches. That said, this metric conflicts with the second P in a major way.
Portability refers to how easy a case is to fit in your hand/pocket. And when we're talking about a 6.8-inch phone like the S23 Ultra, I consider this one to be an important one. After all, a slim phone case is more comfortable and practical to use. And yet, there is still room on this list for bulky defender cases, especially for users who don't frequently use their phones on the go.
Pattern is the last parameter I account for, which is my placeholder term for the case's overall style. Style is the most subjective of these parameters, though, so I try to present a selection of cases that suit all tastes.
One last thing to keep in mind is that all of my reviews come from real-life experience with these cases. So I do update my reviews regularly as I spend more time with different phone molds and find new things to like or dislike. And if you think I'm missing your personal favorite case, feel free to shoot me an email with your suggestion.