Best heavy-duty Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra cases
Samsung’s Ultra smartphone lineup represents the best the company has to offer. In 2022, theGalaxy S22 Ultrawas a standout flagship, and even though it has since been replaced by theGalaxy S23 Ultra, it remains a great phone. After all, it was the device that finally merged the Galaxy S and Note lines into one product, bringing that boxy design and S Pen to the masses.
The S22 Ultra uses Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back, with armored aluminum on the frame. Although these materials make for a durable device, glass will eventually crack or shatter if given enough time around the elements and accidents of everyday life — and the curved sides don’t help. Besides, some of us are more clumsy than others or work in environments that put phones in harm’s way due to drops, dust, water, sawdust, grass clippings, and more.
If you want to keep your expensive flagship device looking its best, you’ll want to keep it safe. With that in mind, these are the best cases for extreme protection, even if that level of protection comes at the expense of ergonomics.
There’s a lot to like about Spigen’s Tough Armor. It feels solid in your hand, has a sleek design with an integrated kickstand, and it’s reasonably priced. The typical polycarbonate and TPU materials are joined by an extra layer of foam for added shock absorption, and the button covers retain their sensitivity. However, the biggest complaint for most will likely be the slippery feel of the hard plastic outer shell and the less pronounced buttons that can be hard to feel.
The UAG Monarch may not be the most wallet-friendly case on our list, but it will keep your phone safe in most situations and look great while doing it. This case surprisingly adds only 1.5 ounces of weight to your device, and it won’t get in the way of wireless charging or NFC. The slick backplate doesn’t provide the best grip, but the sides are extra grippy, and that’s where you’ll be holding onto it anyway.
The Poetic Neon takes a multipronged approach to safeguard your S22 Ultra, with shock-absorbing material, reinforced corners, and grippy sides and back, so you’re less likely to drop it. Despite this, it doesn’t add a lot of bulk or weight to your device, making it a good choice for those who need reliable protection with a slim feel. The case is also quite stylish, with several solid and two-tone colorways to choose from.
In partnership with Supcase
Supcase prides itself on making some of the toughest phone cases out there, and the Unicorn Beetle Pro Series lives up to that claim. Its durability is unparalleled thanks to its dual-material, multilayered construction. The kickstand built into the back also works great in landscape and portrait modes, remaining stable and sturdy no matter which way you prop it up.
In partnership with i-Blason
Unlike most phone cases that detract from the look of your device, i-Blason’s Ares features a clear backplate to show off the aesthetic of your S22 Ultra while still safeguarding it against scratches. It is also fingerprint-resistant, so it won’t wind up with a bunch of dirty-looking smudges on the back. There’s also a pronounced bezel around the camera lenses and a thick raised border around the display for extra protection.
Poetic’s Spartan is a heavy-duty case that looks the part with a design that blends ruggedness with refinement. Pleather accent panels are joined by an assortment of mostly subdued color options that hide a versatile kickstand that lets you prop your S22 Ultra up in landscape or portrait orientation. Spartan also provides two front frames in the package, allowing you to choose whether to use the included screen protector, add your own tempered glass, or just go without.
If you look up rugged in a dictionary, you might just find a picture of the Rokform Magnetic Case. It’s a well-crafted tank of a case with military-grade PC armoring and strengthened corners. As if that wasn’t already enough, road warrior types are also catered to, thanks to the motorcycle/ATV mounting features hosted by the twist lock mechanism, plus a more than capable magnet.
The VRS Damda Glide Pro is one of the most practical cases around. It can take a beating, it looks good, and it can keep your cards at hand as well. The case has ‘glide’ in the name because the mechanism for opening the wallet compartment is an incredibly smooth slide while feeling sturdy enough to trust with something as important as your bank card.
The AntShare waterproof, full-body case provides shockproof protection; it’s built to shield your phone against even the nastiest drops. The case offers an IP68 rating, offering your Galaxy phone great ingress protection, and the outer bumper has a grippy texture to prevent fumbles in the first place. Raised bezels and comprehensive coverage combine for the ultimate protective layer.
Don’t be fooled by the low price tag of the Nillkin CamShield Armor. Despite boasting lots of features, this is a quality case that stands up well to wear, tear, and drops thanks to the multilayer construction and air cushioning. Its standout feature is a sliding camera cover that keeps the lenses safe from scratches that can interfere with picture quality over time. The case also has a swiveling ring holder that doubles as a kickstand.
The Defender Pro offers the same heavy-duty construction as Otterbox’s popular Defender series while adding a silver-based antimicrobial additive to the material that helps guard against bacteria. That’s a great idea when you consider how dirty phones can actually get, but keep in mind that it’s not guaranteed to kill everything, so it won’t protect you against viruses and illness-inducing bacteria. It’s also on the expensive side but has an integrated stand, a belt clip, and a lifetime warranty.
The Ghostek Nautical is tailor-made for those who are constantly near the water. It’s waterproof and swim-proof up to 20 feet for an hour, with a watertight cover for the USB-C port and support for wireless charging. It’s great on land, too, with a non-slip grip and 12-foot drop protection. Just be aware that while it will protect your phone from a dunk, it’s not buoyant, so you may want to invest in a floating strap before you take it out to sea.
Which case is right for you?
All the cases here offer serious protection for the Galaxy S22 Ultra. They’re not the same, though, with some balancing ergonomics and safety more than others. You’ll need to think about how much protection you need and balance that with comfort, price, and design.
The Spigen Tough Armor case is the best overall. The case is made with a soft TPU inner layer and a hard plastic outer shell. These dual layers work in tandem to resist harsh impacts and dissipate kinetic energy around the phone rather than through it. That gives you above-average protection from most knocks and drops, and the case remains relatively slim – something that many people demand of their outer covering. The kickstand is a nice bonus, but quite fragile, so don’t make that a deciding factor.
If money is no object the UAG Monarch is a good choice. It’s an expensive case, but it’s well worth it if you want something different. The Monarch uses soft TPU and Kevlar to withstand most beatings you throw at it. The benefit of Kevlar is that it’s light as well as strong, so the Monarch only adds 1.5 ounces to the phone, which is hardly noticeable.
But for those seeking absolute value, the Poetic Neon has you covered. As with many of the cases on this list, it’s comprised of a soft TPU inner layer and a hard plastic shell. Though it isn’t as durable as the Spigen or UAG, the protection found in the Poetic Neon is more than enough for most people since it makes up for that drawback with comfort. The Poetic case not only offers a comfortable grip; it also ensures your hand won’t tire easily. Install it and wave goodbye to grip fatigue.
However, if you’d prefer a less chunky case, there are evenmore Galaxy S22 Ultra case options. Whichever case you choose, you can rest easy knowing that your S22 Ultra will be safe. Of course, a case is only half the safety process. You’ll also want a goodscreen protectorto go with it.
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