(Pocket-lint) – So, you’ve pre-ordered one of Samsung’s Galaxy S22, S22+ and S22 Ultra models. Who can blame you? They’re cracking bits of kit.
Now that you’ve splashed the cash, though, you’re going to want to make sure that you keep your new smartphone in tip-top shape for the months and years to come.
As usual, that means picking up a new case. Luckily, there are loads of great options available already, and we imagine there will be many more in the near future.
We’ve sought out the finest cases, and, no matter whether you’ll be rocking the S22, S22+ or S22 Ultra, all of our picks have an option for each model.
If you’re looking for something with maximum protection, top-notch style or ultimate functionality, check out our recommendations below.
Best Samsung Galaxy S22 Cases
Samsung Protective Standing Cover
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For
- Ultra-rugged
- Convenient kickstands
- Easy personalisation
Against
Samsung’s official protective case has achieved certified military-grade drop protection, so it will allow you to rest easy knowing that your phone is in good hands. It also has a built-in removable kickstand that can prop your phone up at 45 or 60-degree viewing angles.
The kickstand is designed to pop off in a harsh fall to ensure that it doesn’t break and it can be easily swapped for another colour to add a touch of personalisation. The case itself is available in a wide range of colours to match a variety of tastes.
Incipio Duo
For
- Minimal and clean looks
- Solid drop protection
- Raised edges to protect cameras
Against
- A little plain for some tastes
The Incipio Duo is a sleek and minimal case that provides drop protection up to 12-feet thanks to its Impact Strut technology and two-piece construction. It has raised edges to protect both the screen and cameras as well as being scratch-resistant all over.
The design doesn’t interfere with wireless charging or 5G connectivity and it has a lovely soft-touch finish. It may not be the flashiest case out there, but its features won’t disappoint.
Buy: Incipio US | Incpio EU
Mous Limitless 3.0
For
- Super stylish
- Lots of finishes available
- Microfibre lining
Against
For those looking for something a bit flashier, the Mous Limitless 3.0 has style for miles. It’s available in a range of beautiful finishes including hard-wearing aramid fibre and real wooden backplates.
This case promises to absorb high impacts and prevent phone damage without adding bulk to the case, The inside is lined with microfibre to prevent scratches and the raised edges ensure utmost screen protection.
Buy: Mous US | Mous UK
Kate Spade Defensive Hardshell
For
- Many fashionable finishes
- Sleek and lightweight
- Shock-resistant bumper
Against
What’s better than a shiny new phone? A sparkly one of course. Kate Spade has a range of protective hardshell S22 cases featuring a variety of patterns. If the glitter finish shown here doesn’t float your boat, then there’s also a leopard print option and a selection of floral patterns.
It’s not all about the looks, though, this case also promises impact protection of up to ten feet thanks to its shock-resistant bumper. This hardshell will ensure that your new device is well protected, as well as being able to turn some heads.
Buy: Kate Spade US | Kate Spade UK
Snakehive Vintage Leather Wallet
For
- Premium materials
- Attractive colourways
- Stores cash and cards
Against
- Won’t fit in many pockets
This luxurious option from Snakehive is a part-phone case and part-wallet, also doubling up as a phone stand for media consumption. It’s crafted from top-grain nubuck leather and is available in teal, plum, navy and chestnut brown finishes.
It features storage for cash and credit cards and closes with a neat magnetic clasp. What’s more, it will fully protect your screen from damage and look particularly elegant while doing so.
Buy: Snakehive US | Snakehive UK
How to choose a Samsung Galaxy S22 case
With so many styles, features and finishes out there, it can be especially hard to choose a phone case these days. To help you find your perfect match, here are a few things worth considering.
Will S21 cases fit the S22 range?
Unfortunately, older cases won’t be compatible with the new smartphones, as there have been a number of changes to the form factor. Though, if you had a favourite case for the S21, there’s a good chance it will be available for the new models, too, so it may be worth seeking out your favourite brand.
Form and function
We all have different priorities when it comes to phone cases. Some of us are looking for the sleekest, most lightweight designs whereas others want maximum protection and don’t care about the bulk.
Many phone case designs incorporate useful features like kickstands, card wallets, pop-sockets and the like. While they can be useful, it’s important to remember it adds bulk to a device that you’ll be carrying around 24/7 and the extra size and weight could become a nuisance.
Only you will know your top priorities, so it’s important to keep them in mind when you’re shopping for a new phone case.
Do you want to combine your phone and wallet?
Many designs offer some way to store payment cards or even cash alongside your phone. There’s an obvious benefit here, that you’ll have one less item to carry when you’re out and about, but there are downsides too.
Wallet cases tend to be less compatible with features such as Google Pay and wireless charging, so if these features are something you rely on, you may want to look at a more standard case.
It goes without saying that losing your phone is a devastating experience, but when your phone and wallet are combined it could be even worse. If you have a tendency to lose things, it’s definitely something to keep in mind when making your decision.
How much protection are you likely to need?
Most of us wouldn’t dare to carry around our phone day-to-day without some kind of case, but it’s easy to get a bit carried away when looking for extra protection. Consider the activities that you are likely to be doing with your smartphone and it should become apparent how much protection you’re likely to need.
At a minimum, we tend to like cases with some kind of ridge to protect the camera array and screen, most users are unlikely to need much more than that. However, if you’re the type of person who takes their phone mountain biking multiple times a week, something more robust wouldn’t go amiss.
More about this story
Every product in this list has been assessed thoroughly to ensure it will perform exactly as a recommended pick should.
We’ve thought about everything, factoring in how each model will perform when being used by a variety of different people, in a range of situations. This meant diving into the key specs and features, like impact resistance, size and weight, charging compatibility and more. From there, we’ve then crossed our judgements with each individual price tag to ensure they represent good value for money, too.
As with any roundup, it’s not possible to deliver a list that works for every type of user, but we lean on the experiences and opinions of the wider Pocket-lint team – as well as thoroughly assessing the areas above – in order to do our best in this regard.
What we always tend to avoid when compiling these picks are needless spec comparisons and marketing lines; we just want to provide an easy to understand summary that gives you an idea of what each monitor is like to use. Our verdicts are concise, but this is purely in the interest of brevity.
Writing by Luke Baker. Editing by Conor Allison.
