The best Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus cases you can get

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus offers an excellent middle ground between the basic S22 and the packed to the gills S22 Ultra. If you don’t want to splurge on the Ultra but are looking for some bells and whistles, the Galaxy S22 Plus is the phone for you. It’s still an expensive buy, so you’ll want to keep it protected! The good news here is that you have a lot of options, from slim and light cases to rugged and wallet cases. To help you pick the right case for you, here at Android Authority we’ve tested and selected the best Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus cases you can currently buy for your reading pleasure.

See also: Phone case buyer’s guide | Mobile accessories

i-Blason’s Cosmo case is for Galaxy S22 Plus users who want to stand out. It comes in three colorful finishes – Ocean, Amethyst, and Marble — but it doesn’t sacrifice the i-Blason protection. The Cosmo offers protective bezels with clicky button covers and remains thin enough for wireless charging. If that’s not enough, i-Blason has even run over its stylish case with a car.

If you want a simple, thin Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus case, you can’t go wrong with this Spigen case. It’s a basic TPU case that comes in a single, black color. But you will get extras like Air Cushion technology for extra corner protection, covered buttons, and a raised lip around the display. A textured back and patterned sides add to grip as well. Even then, it’s not the most protective case you can get and not the best option if you’re clumsy. If you’re looking for something thinner and lighter, the aptly-named Spigen Thin Fit is worth considering as well.

The Fusion-X is slightly outside the realm of a regular thin Galaxy S22 Plus case, but this option from Ringke checks a lot of boxes. First of all, it’s thin and lightweight, which is why it’s in this category. An exaggerated TPU bumper with extra corner reinforcement makes it very protective, though. But what might win you over is the inclusion of holes in the sides of the case for a phone strap or lanyard. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s the small things that count.

The Caseology Nano Pop comes with a two-tone design that looks great, with the pop of color and variety of colorways a welcome change from the sea of boring, black cases. The case is protective without being too bulky, and a soft touch finish ensures that the phone won’t slip out of your hand. The Black Sesame option with a gray “pop” is for anyone who doesn’t want to go flashy, but the Blueberry Navy, pictured above, is my favorite. I’m also excited about a new AvoGreen color option that is coming later.

Spigen once again makes our list of the best Galaxy S22 Plus cases, this time with a clear option that shows off the phone’s design. The Ultra Hybrid combines a polycarbonate backing and a TPU bumper, which gives it solid drop protection without adding too much weight. If you want something a little lighter, Spigen also makes a Liquid Crystal case that’s a simple TPU case. Both, however, are fingerprint magnets, especially if you have naturally oily fingers as I do.

There aren’t a lot of differences between this and the option above, although we found that this one was slightly softer to the touch and easier to install. It also comes with textured elements on the sides that add to the grip and the interesting design around the camera gives it an industrial look. This design gives Caseology the opportunity to add some color as well. While the back is clear, you can get black and rose gold options for a stylish touch.

ESR makes a couple of excellent Galaxy S22 Plus clear cases, but our favorite is the Metal Kickstand case. As you might guess, it has a built-in kickstand that’s sturdy enough to support the phone in both landscape and portrait orientation. Most kickstands found on cases are too flimsy to be useful, and they’re already rare on clear cases, to begin with. Spigen has a clear case with a metal kickstand as well, the Ultra Hybrid S, but I like the sturdier kickstand of the ESR more.

The TUCCH wallet comes with a classic wallet phone case design. The case is made with premium PU leather that looks stylish and feels great. The folio cover doubles as a kickstand and also comes with an additional layer for RFID blocking. The case comes with four card slots and a large pocket for cash, but packing it too much makes it a little thicker than I would like. I didn’t have any problems closing the magnetic clasp even with all the card slots filled, though. There are plenty of color options to choose from as well, but the classic black looks the part of a stylish leather wallet case.

The Spigen Slim Armor CS skips the traditional wallet case design for a more modern cardholder case style, but you can still carry three cards or some cash. It’s also thin, but protective, with Spigen staples like Air Cushion technology ensuring that it’ll survive a bump or drop. Spigen says that the rear card slot can hold up to three cards. It’s definitely a squeeze with more than two though, especially if the cards are embossed. The “door” of the card slot isn’t easy to open and the mechanism isn’t very smooth, which is a little disappointing.

Otterbox is the go-to case brand for rugged cases, and the Defender is one of the best options from the case maker. I’m not a fan of how thick and bulky the case is, but there’s no denying that it’s made to take a beating. The case also comes with a belt clip holster that doubles as a kickstand. It’s not the best kickstand implementation I’ve seen and the plastic isn’t very sturdy, but it works. There are a few color options available, as well as a Pro version with a textured back (available for the same price).

The Monarch is one of the best cases you can get from UAG and cranks the protection up to 11. At first glance, the Monarch looks the part of an ultra-rugged case, with its five layers of material, reinforced corners, grip-y sides, and a raised back. But I was impressed by how light the case is despite what its looks would suggest. Even though it’s quite thick, you can still use NFC payments or wirelessly charge the phone without taking the case off. Different options add a splash of color to the phone as well. For even greater protection, there’s a slightly more expensive Kevlar version with an ultra-rugged exterior.

For a nice middle ground between protection and weight, this Spigen case offers plenty of hybrid protection. You’ll find a layer of soft TPU that’s great against drops and a tough polycarbonate shell to keep scratches at bay. It even packs a built-in kickstand to prop the phone up in landscape orientation. Unfortunately, the kickstand is the only blemish on an otherwise great case. It’s thin, plastic, and flimsy. I didn’t have any problems propping the phone up, but durability is definitely a concern with a phone as heavy as the S22 Plus.

The Otterbox Strada comes with all the protection of an Otterbox case in a stylish leather folio case. The genuine leather case looks and feels great. A magnetic metal latch holds the folio cover in place and it’s a solid magnet. It comes with two card slots, so if you’re looking for more, the wallet cases above are the better option. But if you want a stylish genuine leather case for the S22 Plus, the Strada is an excellent case.

Samsung always offers excellent first-party leather cases for its phones, and the Galaxy S22 is no different. It comes in black, light gray, and forest green. The interior of this leather case is lined with soft microfiber, so your new phone should stay in top shape for years to come. However, there’s not much of a front lip to protect your display, so you might want a screen protector.

Don’t mind spending a little extra? Samsung sells a variety of first-party cases in its “View” lineup, each with a cover that displays information while closed. This allows you to check the time or your notifications without turning on your phone. The LED version also has built-in card slots on the interior of the folio. They’re a bit more pricey than other options on our list, but the added functionality makes them well worth the price.

Samsung widened its official case offerings recently to include these new strap cases, which are simple silicon cases with a built-in strap on the back to make them easier to hold. You can also use the clasp to attach lanyards or phone straps for even more utility. However, it only comes in two colors (white with a green strap or navy with an orange strap), and neither is particularly aesthetically pleasing. Being first-party cases, they’re also quite expensive, so unless you want a case right now we recommend waiting for more attractive options like the Otterbox PopSocket to become available for extra grippy bits.

How we test phone cases

We rigorously test smartphones, accessories, and other products in our reviews here at Android Authority, and we consider many attributes before recommending a phone case. This is also true for the best Galaxy S22 Plus cases. Here’s a quick rundown of what we consider:

• Protection: There’s an obvious difference between thin and rugged cases, but there’s a lot of variation between options within each category. Where possible, we simulate real-world drops from different heights to see how they’ll hold up. We also consider design elements like corner protection, raised lips around the display and camera module, and covered buttons.
• Build materials and quality: Cheap materials are prone to breaking or cracking during installation. Poor molds can also lead to loose or tight-fitting cases that also are not ideal. We closely inspect how well a case fits, as well as how easy or difficult it is to install and remove.
• Grip: Not everyone wants a grippy case, but those who do have high expectations. Apart from hands-on testing, we also test phones on different surfaces like wood or marble to see how prone they are to slipping. Typically, cases with ridges or bumps along the back or sides are the clear winners in this regard.
• Installation and removal: The Galaxy S22 Plus is a well-built phone, but a case that’s too tight still runs the risk of damaging it if it’s too difficult to remove. If you have to apply excessive force to remove or install a case, that’s a big red flag in our book.
• Design and colorways: These are exceptionally persona choices, which is why we strive to include a wide variety of designs and colors to choose from. Where possible, we also include customizable cases that can be further tweaked to suit your personal style.
• Price: You don’t always get what you pay for. Often affordable cases have better build qualities and offer more protection than expensive cases. Brand plays a big role here, which is why we’re always on the lookout for new models and price variations.