Samsung
So you’ve decided that it’s time to upgrade your phone and you’ve got the latest Samsung flagship phone in your sights. Nice. If you want to maximize the lifespan of your new smartphone, then I also suggest investing in one of the best Galaxy S23 cases available. After all, its design may not be revolutionary (it is almost identical to 2022’s Galaxy S22), but it is still a powerful and expensive device.
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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: $28.95 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $20.99 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: $25.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $59.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $26.00 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $16.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $35.94 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: $84.09 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
If you’re after no-nonsense protection for your S23, then the OtterBox Defender Pro should be your go-to pick. That’s because this case is built from the top down for drop resistance. True, it may be bulky, but the Defender Pro exceeds military drop test standards by four times. Plus, the combination of its dual-layer design and large raised bezel have truly withstood the test of time.
One interesting feature of this case is its antimicrobial additive, which helps to inhibit microbial growth on the surface of your case. For all these reasons combined, I consider the Defender Pro to be one of the best S23 cases and I am sure I’m not the only one.
For reference, I also consider the Defender Pro to be one of the best S23+ cases as well.
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2. Poetic Spartan Case
Pros:- Built-in screen protector
- Built-in kickstand
- Rubber port cover
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Limited color options
- Could be grippier
- Bulky design
The Poetic Spartan Case is one of the best Galaxy S23 cases because it offers both 360 degrees of protection and an arsenal of other useful features as well. I’m a sucker for “bonus” features like a built-in kickstand or a rubber charge port cover, and you’ll find both on the Spartan.
Its real selling point, however, is its durable two-piece case design. The Spartan comes with a separate front frame with a screen protector, plus a replacement one in case your first one breaks. These protectors aren’t as nice as the Gorilla Glass ones but, hey, they come with the case. The bumper frame and backplate are also quite sturdy and they meet military-grade drop test standards.
Between its value price and its rich feature set, there’s a lot to like about the Poetic Spartan Case. To no surprise, it is also one of my favorite Galaxy S23 Ultra cases too.
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3. Spigen Tough Armor Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Built-in kickstand
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
- Large raised bezel
Cons:- Limited color options
- Stiff button covers
- Shows scratches easily
The Spigen Tough Armor Case is one of my all-time favorite cases because of the way it expertly balances what I call the three Ps: protection, portability, and price. Its offers the same drop protection as other cases with a smaller profile overall thanks to its bumper frame design. And it offers this at a value price.
The Tough Armor also has a built-in media kickstand, which is nice for displaying recipes and playing movies. Given all of the things I like about the Tough Armor, it should come as no surprise that this case also appears on my S23 Ultra case roundup.
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4. 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
Though many changes need to be made in the tech industry to deal with the growing issue of E-waste, a sustainable phone case like the Incipio Organicore Clear is a great start. Mobile Magazine reports on the rising E-waste crisis, to which plastic phone cases are a contributing factor.
When I hold the Organicore Clear in my hand, I wouldn’t guess that it is made from plants and 100% certified compostable. But it absolutely is. The case is also drop-tested from heights of up to 14 feet, so it is no slouch in the protection department either. Yet, it has an overall slim profile too. It gets away with this using slightly raised bezel to protect againt face-down drops.
It does pick up fingerprints easily but this is an easy tradeoff to make considering the sustainable design and the lifetime warranty.
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5. i-Blason Armorbox Case
Pros:- Built-in kickstand
- Built-in screen protector
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
- Grippy design
Cons:- Could be grippier
- Limited color options
- Stiff button covers
i-Blason offers a classic case mold under a new name with the release of the Armorbox case for the Galaxy S23 line. I would describe this hybrid style case as a Swiss Army Knife-style case, which crams so many useful features into one package that gadget heads such as myself just have to love it.
In this case, we’re looking at a protective case with a built-in screen protector, a rear media kickstand, and an included belt clip all at a value price. It works great with wireless charging too. It won’t win any design competitions but it surely stands as a contender for one of the best Galaxy S23 cases.
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6. Mous Limitless 5.0 Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- MagSafe compatible
- Premium materials
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Limited drop protection
- High price tag
- Could be grippier
The Mous Limitless 5.0 Case stands out from the pack because of its striking backplate designs that feature materials like Leather, Aramid Fiber, or Wood. This faux-wood case is tougher than it looks, though, as it is actually made from drop resistant materials designed to absorb shock and resist scratches.
The case isn’t the sturdiest I’ve come across but it is backed by a limited lifetime warranty, so there is definitely some quality assurance in place. One interested feature of this case is its MagSafe support. Yes, you read correctly. This case allows Apple’s proprietary accesories to be used on your phone, which is a nice touch if you live in a mixed-OS household like I do.
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7. Speck Presidio 2 Grip
Pros:- Grippy design
- Antimicrobial coating
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:- Limited color options
- Bezel could be larger
- Stiff button covers
The Speck Presidio 2 Grip is a hybrid-style case mold that stops drops before they happen with a textured backplate that adds much needed grip to the S23’s glass-smooth surface. Of course, you can rely on this case’s raised bumper frame as a backup. The material has been tested to withstand drops up to 13 feet.
The material has also been treated with Microban protection, which prevents the spread of germs and bacteria on your phone case. The case is also thin enough to support wireless charging. The front bezel could be a bit larger but the Presidio Grip 2 is otherwise one of the best S23 cases around.
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8. Ringke Onyx Series Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Grippy design
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Limited color options
- Bezel could be larger
- Non-metallic buttons
If you only want a simple snap-on case to add basic drop protection and scratch resistance, then the Ringke Onyx Series Case is a great option. It adds barely any bulk to your phone while leaving it substantially more protected against accidental damage. The Onyx’s front bezel could be a little larger but not without ruining its pocket-friendly design. It adds a nice grippy texture as well. And while some users have commented that they prefer the style of button covers on the older models, I personally didn’t find them to be all that bad.
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9. Zizo Bolt Series Case
Pros:- Grippy design
- Military-grade drop tested
- Built-in kickstand
- Included screen protector
Cons:- Unusual design
- Stiff button covers
- Bulky design
If rugged drop protection and standout aesthetics are at the top of your wishlist for a phone case, then the Zizo Bolt will certainly catch your attention. This defender-style case feels jobsite ready with its grippy (and oddly aerodynamic) design.
The case has lots of extra features too, including a built-in kickstand, plus an included belt clip and screen protector. It works great with wireless PowerShare too.
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10. 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
With the addition of the Titan Gadget to Samsung’s official case lineup, the company has now has an answer to Apple’s MagSafe accesories. But rather than magnetically connecting to the phone, these accesories snap onto this case, which has a mechanical attachment point in the rear. Supported accessories include a ring stand, a card holder, a tripod mount, and more.
The case itself offers great drop protection thanks to the large bezel around its air-cushioned frame. It is a little bulky in your pockets but the phone is still grippy and narrow where it fits in your hand. The Titan Gadget works with wireless charging as well, provided you detach any accessories first.
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11. UAG Metropolis LT Pro Case
Pros:- Lightweight and durable
- Magnetic accessory compatible
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Limited color options
- Bezel could be larger
- High price tag
The UAG Metropolis LT Pro Case may be pricey but it offers some serious protection for your S23 while only adding minimal bulk. The secret? A Kevlar inlay on the backplate. This material is highly resistant to rips, punctures, and scratches, so combined with the Metropolis’ TPU bumper frame, it offers some serious protection for your phone without all the bulk. The material is drop-tested up to 18 feet.
Another interesting thing about this case is that it has a magnetic insert so that your Samsung phone can work with Apple MagSafe accessories. This is a big win for dual OS households like mine. It’s still wireless PowerShare compatible too, so it also works great with other Samsung devices too.
How I Chose the Best S23 Cases
If finding the best S23 case for your personal needs was easy, then I probably wouldn't have a job. But thankfully for me, online marketplaces are swarmed with hundreds of brands and very few ways to pick the quality ones out from the duds without testing them out in person. That's where my time-tested case appraisal method comes in.
Over my nine years of case reviewing, I've gone hands-on with all the major case brands and I've made note of the features I value the most. Then I condensed them down into what I call the three Ps: protection, portability, and pattern.
Protection used to be the only parameter I cared about with my first few cases. And obviously, the more protection the better. But according to this study from scientiamobile, phones have been trending towards larger screens year after year, which has prompted me to give more weight to my second parameter.
Portability is my way of measuring how easy a case is to fit in your hand or your pocket. Ideally, a case would add zero bulk to your phone, but that kind of defies the laws of physics. That's why this metric is best measured against the protective power of a case to get the full picture.
Pattern is my placeholder term for the overall style of a case. I realize, however, that style is highly subjective, so I've made it a point to feature cases of a variety of styles. From cute, to spartan, to artsy, it is important not to undervalue the case as a form of self expression.
That said, it's impossible to ignore my own specific needs whenever I go hands-on with a case (and I have gone hands-on with just about all of them). So don't forget to choose a case that works for you. The cases I've ranked are the ones that work for me, so if you don't like what I like, then it is okay for us to disagree.