The best Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra cases you can buy

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the phone to get if you want everything and anything. It’s a powerhouse and the Note replacement many fans might be waiting for. It’s a big, expensive phone, so while you wait to get your hands on one, you can get a head start on keeping it safe with a protective case or cover. 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 Ultra cases you can currently buy.

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

Like its namesake, the SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro is one tough customer. It’s been put through countless drop tests and come out the other side, thanks to 360-degree protection. The Unicorn Beetle Pro packs port plugs, tactile buttons, and texturized edges that are easy to grip, yet it remains thin enough to support wireless charging. You won’t find a built-in screen protector, but the case can handle drops from just about all other angles.

If you want a simple, thin Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra case, you can’t go wrong with this Spigen case. It’s a basic TPU case that comes in a single, black color. But a recent re-design brings extras like Air Cushion technology for extra corner protection, covered buttons, and a raised lip around the display. 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 with more grip, the also thin Spigen Liquid Air is the way to go.

The Fusion-X is slightly outside the realm of a “normal” looking Galaxy S22 Ultra 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. However, an exaggerated TPU bumper with extra corner reinforcement makes it very protective. But what really won us 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. You won’t find this feature on many other cases, and it’s extremely handy for those of us who are clumsy.

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 a personal favorite. Caseology is also introducing a new AvoGreen color later that I’m quite excited about.

Spigen once again makes our list of the best Galaxy S22 Ultra 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. Clear cases are generally more difficult to keep clean than other types of cases and might yellow over time if you don’t take care of them.

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. The standard clear version also suffers from fingerprint problems, but there are matte versions that largely solve this issue. Plus, it comes with the lanyard holes found on other Ringke cases, which most other manufacturers neglect. The company makes an even thinner version called the Ringke Air, but it’s quite thin and doesn’t offer any significant drop protection. For that reason, we’d recommend swinging for the Fusion, which is roughly the same price.

ESR makes a couple of excellent Galaxy S22 Ultra 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 bigger, sturdier kickstand of the ESR more. ESR’s other clear case is Project Zero, which is a no-frills thin TPU 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.

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.

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 with the Defender as well.

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, grippy 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 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 Ultra.

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 Ultra, 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, burgundy (pictured above), and light gray to suit your personal style. 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 6.8-inch display, so you might want a screen protector.

If you’re spending the big bucks on the S22 Ultra, you’re probably going to get some gaming done. We often recommend removing the case when gaming to stop the phone from overheating, but here, we’ll suggest putting this case on. Coming exclusively to the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the Spigen Cryo Armor. This case features cooling properties thanks to a combination of graphite and silicone materials. It looks the part of a gaming product and offers all the protection you’d get with a standard Spigen hybrid case.

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 model pictured above has a full frontal cover, with an integrated LED display and two card slots on the inside. The Smart View cover just has a hole in the front, which pairs with your phone to display the time and notifications. They’re quite 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 Ultra 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 Ultra 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.