The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a more significant upgrade than expected, especially in international markets where the old Exynos chips were yeeted out of existence in favor of the superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Like most modern flagship phones, the S23 Ultra is a metal and glass sandwich, and while those materials have been upgraded to armored aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, they'll still damage easily when dropped.
The best way to prevent damage like this from happening is to use a sturdy case and screen protector. Because Samsung phones are so popular, there are a lot of choices, so we've done all the leg work can collected the best S23 Ultra cases together in one place. This article aims to cover all the bases, but if you're someone who requires a case that offers extreme protection, you can check out our collection of the best heavy-duty S23 Ultra cases here.
-
Source: Spigen
Spigen Cryo Armor for Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best overallSpigen has over a dozen Galaxy S23 Ultra cases for you to choose from, but if you're a power user, the only one to look at is the Cryo Armor. Its multi-layer design and ArticFlow technology help pull heat away from the phone and dissipate it so that you can game hard and long before that clocked-up Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy gets throttled. Just remember that even this will eventually get warm, too, if you play long enough.
-
Source: Bellroy
Bellroy Leather Case For Galaxy S23 Ultra
Premium pickSamsung's first-party leather case comes in brown, a somewhat drab green, and basic black, but Bellroy's green is stunning and distinct. The Terracotta brown and Bluestone navy also draw the eye and feel amazing in your hands. Rather than having the leather come all the way up to the edges to wear down or peel over time, Bellroy encircles the screen lip with color-matched plastic that also makes getting the case on and off easier.
-
Source: Ringke
Ringke Fusion for Galaxy S23 Ultra
Best valueClear cases are usually super glossy and super-dup smudge prone. Grabbing a matte clear case can help keep things a little more tidy looking, and the Ringke Fusion swings both ways. You can go traditional with the Clear Fusion and keep a shirt hem handy to wipe things down, opt for the Matte version with its frosted backplate, or even go to the dark side with the Smoke Black and its more translucent grey hue.
-
Source: Supcase
Supcase Unicorn Beetle for Galaxy S23 Ultra
Promoted pickIn partnership with Supcase
The Supcase UB Pro would normally be a shoo-in for collections like these as an ultra-durable heavy-duty case, but when your phone is already as big and heavy as the S23 Ultra, slimming down can be preferable. This case is single-layer rather than two-piece, but you still get that stocky kickstand to use vertically for video calls or horizontally for late-night, in-bed YouTube binges. We only get one color option here, but hey, it's rare to see the OG Unicorn Beetle case available at all.
-
Source: i-Blason
i-Blason Cosmo Series for Galaxy S23 Ultra
Promoted pickIn partnership with i-Blason
The mosaic of swirled marble that the Cosmo Series became known for is iconic, but all trends must shift and evolve. This year, i-Blason is beefing up its Cosmo collection with new styles. From the contrasting appeal of the Blue Swirl and silver against your phone's colorway to doodled hearts, there's new flair here that won't completely cover up your Galaxy S23 Ultra's beauty the way the Marble versions might. And if you're mad for marble, those colors are still available.
-
Source: UAG
UAG Pylo Pro For Galaxy S23 Ultra
Of the three Galaxy S23 magnetic case series from UAG, the Pylo Pro is both the most affordable and distinct. UAG's choice to use hexagonally shaped rings helps it stand out from the pack, and the bumper design still allows for up to 16-foot impact resistance. That bumper can either come in clear or a somewhat shiny Ash gray, which offers a slightly more refined look as it obscures the patterning and air cushions inside the corners.
-
Source: VRS
VRS Design Damda Glide Pro for Galaxy S23 Ultra
While folio wallet cases will forever be more popular, I'm partial to VRS Design's Damda Glide Series because they fit more cards and cash while closing perfectly every time, thanks to its semi-automatic sliding mechanism. Though it inevitably bulks up the S23 Ultra, that wider bottom makes it easier to grip when taking photos, and it keeps those floating cameras far, far away from anything that might scratch them.
-
Source: Casetify
Casetify Impact Series for Galaxy S23 Ultra
Casetify's got hundreds of styles available for the Galaxy S23 Ultra right now, but the real fun will start in a few weeks as Casetify starts getting added to new Co-Labs — and hopefully added to some existing collections. Until then, there's still a wide variety of designs in four case colors: Solid Black, Clear with Black bumpers, translucent Lilac, and translucent Midnight Green.
-
Source: Incipio
Incipio Duo for Galaxy S23 Ultra
Incipio is better known for its Grip case, but for the Ultra, you should skip that bulkier, more expensive model and opt for a cleaner, lighter, and grippier Incipio Duo. As the name implies, this is another dual-layer case with a flexible inner sleeve and a hard outer shell for stability and support. The vertical grooves along the edges feel better in hand than the Grip's raised cross-hatching and should help you get the phone in and out of your pocket with less fuss.
-
Source: Ghostek
Ghostek Exec for Galaxy S23 Ultra
While Ghostek once used a proprietary clip system with its Exec wallet cases, they've upgraded to MagSafe these days. It allows for easier application and removal of the wallet and gives you the option to swap the black wallet for a third-party option with more color or pizzazz. The pink/white combo won't be to everyone's tastes, but the Gray and Black colorways get the job done while staying under the radar.
-
Source: Samsung
Samsung Clear Gadget for Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Ultra Clear Gadget Case for the Galaxy S23 lets you snap a phone ring cam kickstand on and off your phone as desired while fully showing off your Galaxy S23 Ultra's exclusive colors and that "improved curve" to the backplate and frame. You'll definitely pay a bit more for a Samsung case, but it will be laser fitted to your phone and possibly even more interesting once the swappable wallet or "gadgets" arrive later this year.
-
Source: Poetic
Poetic Spartan for Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Poetic Spartan has a more metallic finish than the glossier Revolution. It also features polyurethane leather accents to break up the otherwise monotonous backplate, giving you better color options. And like i-Blason, Poetic includes two front frames: one with and one without a built-in screen protector, as the built-in screen protector can interfere with the S Pen.
-
Source: Otterbox
OtterBox Symmetry Series For Galaxy S23 Ultra
The first name in heavy-duty cases almost doubled the available colorways for its Symmetry Series Galaxy S23 Ultra cases. We get two translucent colors, two clear cases — one crystal clear and one glitter — four solid colors, and one green graphic design. It's nice to see Otterbox step more into bold aesthetic styles after years of our solid colors in its Android offerings. The graphic design options will explode once the S23 series is added to Otterbox's customization matrix and licensed case series.
-
Source: Torro
Torro Premium Leather Wallet Case For Galaxy S23 Ultra
Torro makes cases for the smaller S23 models, but it pulled out all the stops for the Galaxy S23 Ultra's leather wallet case. While the brown and black leather versions are fairly standard among the brand, we also get a wonderful Navy Blue, which helps the iconic Torro Red accents pop even more. Inside this genuine leather case are three card slots and a cash flap. The magnetic clasps on the sides are placed well to avoid any possible overlap with that lowered power button.
-
Source: Itskins
Itskins Spectrum R Clear for Galaxy S23 Ultra
Itskins has made a brilliant case with the Spectrum R, the nicest clear case I've ever used. The corners are raised to protect the front and rear glass from impacts, and the honeycomb mesh frame doesn't just help with impact dissipation — it looks fantastic. I've been using this for over a week with my red S23 Ultra, and the red back and black frame look great. If you have a lavender S23, the purple-tinted version will look perfect.
-
Source: Spigen
Spigen Ultra Hybrid Zero One for Galaxy S23 Ultra
$19 $35 Save $16Making cases stand out is hard, but Spigen pulled it off with the Ultra Hybrid Zero One. The case has everything you'd expect from the Ultra Hybrid, offering superb protection from drops and knocks. What makes it stand out is the design, a stylized illustration of what your phone could look like if you took the back off it. We love the clear elements that show off the color, especially on the red and lavender models.
Samsung's best phone gets everyone's best cases
The Ultra is always the fanciest and most exciting of the S23 models, so it gets more attention from case makers. That means the Ultra gets the cream of the crop, and you'll see more experimental cases. It can make finding the absolute best cases harder, so we'll need to be more thorough than usual. Some of the best cases from this special attention include Spigen and UAG's first MagSafe-style cases and a reinvented Cosmo series from i-Blason.
UAG has a great range this year, especially with the Pylo Pro. The MagSafe magnets look good with a hexagonal design, and the case has survived 18-foot drop tests, so your S23 Ultra should be well protected. The Supcase UB and Poetic Spartan are also great options, especially if you want uncompromising protection. If comfort and style mean more to you, then these aren't the cases for you. A more diverse range of rugged clear cases from Casetify and the i-Blason Cosmo bridge the gap between comfort and protection while also looking stylish.
Clear cases aren't usually exciting, but Itskins has made one of our favorite cases of the year with the Spectrum R. A honeycomb pattern in the frame is functional in dissipating impact energy but also looks great, especially if you have a Samsung exclusive S23 Ultra that has a matte black frame. All four corners are raised on the front and back, so the screen is safe from drops or being placed face down, and the rear sits flat and doesn't wobble on the camera lenses.
The Ultra Hybrid from Spigen has been a staple for years now, and it's easy to see why, thanks to its comfortable design and superb protective properties. This year, Spigen has decided to spice things up with the Ultra Hybrid Zero One. This new case has everything you loved about the old Ultra Hybrid and combines it with a stylized representation of the inside of your phone. The overall look is reminiscent of the Nothing Phone 1 or the Xiaomi Mi 8. There are clear parts amongst the print, so if you have a brightly colored S23 Ultra, like our red unit, that color still gets to shine through.
So, do Casetify's 960 design choices win you over, or are you sticking to the tried and true Poetic Spartan? Do you prefer the new i-Blason Cosmo styles or the classic marble? Or are you function-focused with the Spigen Cryo Armor? Whichever cases win you over, grab a trusty S23 Ultra screen protector, even if the selection is a little slimmer because of that curved screen.